Archanghel: Tale of the Universe

Chapter 34

Six years passed...

“What are you doing?” Asked the six years old Josiah.

The entity looked at Josiah, who called for its attention. When Josiah looked at the entity, he was confused. He was just small, like a kid, standing behind a banana tree as if hiding from something. The color of his body was unnaturally red and there was something black on his arms.

They both stared at each other and were also confused. Josiah to the fact that a red kid was standing behind the banana tree, some unknown kid. And then entity, to the fact that a kid just spoke to him.

“You can see me?” The entity asked Josiah to which he answered in a quick nod.

They were currently at the back of their house. Xandriel was taking a bath in the public tub and Janus was busy cooking for their lunch. Lola Isma was at the farm not far from their house that Josiah can still see her. It had become his habit to watched Lola Isma’s form as she work on the farm. And now, he accidentally saw this red kid as he was watching her.

“How can you see me?” The red kid asked in confusion. He stepped a little closer to Josiah.

“Mama said that I was special!” Josiah proudly said, as if it was something he should brag about. Maybe it was, just like how his mother would always say.

The red kid looked at Josiah but he can’t see anything special about him. He looked just like any normal kid he had seen before. Well, except for the fact that he can see him and talk to him.

“What is your name?” Josiah asked with a smile when it looked like he was getting impatient to know the new kid.

It was natural for Josiah to be friendly and act kindly to people he just met. It was the reason why the town’s people liked Josiah because of his character. That also made Xandriel worry for many reasons. One of those is the possibility that Josiah meets and has a friend that is not human, just like what was currently happening. If only she knew, what she was dreading to happen had come true. And the innocent Josiah was still talking to the kid.

“I don’t have a name.”

Josiah’s expression changed because of his answer. He can't believe that he doesn’t have a name. For him it’s impossible. Every person he met had a name, and yet... Josiah looked at the kid again. He had red skin and he had no name. But his Mama said that every being had a name. Josiah just got more and more confused.

“My name is Josiah. Why don’t you have a name?”

Josiah extended his arms towards the kid and ask politely.

Not really understanding what Josiah was talking about, the kid still took Josiah’s hand. He can’t quite understand the importance of a name that he needed to have one. He had never heard of it and can’t fully grasp the idea. They were in that position when the entity suddenly felt dizzy. His hand that was linked to Josiah’s was turning into brown color. Just like Josiah’s own, his red skin was turning into brown, and then it turned white. It emitted a glow just like light. He quickly let go of Josiah’s hand and took a step back. His eyebrows were furrowed as he stared at Josiah, all the while, the white light slowly consumed his arms. He was rooted on spot and didn’t know what to do. He can’t utter another word as the light slowly consumed his body.

+++

I just got back from taking a bath. Janus was busy cooking in the kitchen. My eyes scanned the room to look for my son.

“Where’s Josiah?” I looked at the clock to read the time as Janus looked at me. He pointed to the kitchen door. “Outside. He was probably watching Lola Isma again.”

It was just twenty minutes past eleven so he was outside watching Lola Isma at the farm. I went out and saw Josiah. He was standing in front of the banana tree. His back was on me and I can’t see where he was looking so, I just assumed that he was looking for Lola Isma. It was probably just his watch day because Lola Isma looked like she was a little farther this time and Josiah’s scream won’t be able to reach there.

“Josiah, dear,” I called him but I get no response, he also didn’t look at me.

“Josiah?”

I went closer to him. I placed my right hand on his shoulder and made him face me. My eye went wide when I saw his tear-streaked face. Fat tears roll down his cheeks one after another. I kneeled in front of him and clasped my hands around his shoulder.

“Josiah, darling, what’s wrong? Tell Mama. What is wrong, baby? Why are you crying?”

Josiah didn’t answer me. He was just crying and now soft sobs escaped his lips. That made me panic.

“Janus! Janus!” I called my husband.

I heard a clutter of some ladle and then Janus’ hurried steps. He hurriedly went to where we are and looked at Josiah too, worried.

“Why? Son, what’s wrong?” When Janus asked him, Josiah’s sobs only intensified.

“He won’t answer me. I just found him here crying.” I said to Janus and brush my hair in frustration.

Janus picked up our son and went inside the house. I followed them closely, worrying about what might be the cause of Josiah’s cry. My son was not a crybaby. He only cried when some animal was hurt and not when he bruised his knees. And I didn’t see any animal around him. His sobs turned into hiccups but never into a loud cry. It was as if he was holding himself in. Janus sat down and placed Josiah on his lap. He rubbed his back to soothed him but Josiah continued to cry.

Lola Isma came back from the farm and Josiah was still crying silently. He had kept his mouth shut and refused to answer us. The only response we get was his sobs and hiccups. His eyes were now red from crying and his body was drenched in sweat and tears. I went to get some new clothes for him to change. We waited for Josiah to calm down and when he did, we tried asking him what had happened but he didn’t tell us. He was just staring into space. I tried it again but all I got was nothing still.

“Let him be for now. He will eventually tell us what happened.” Lola Isma said when Josiah still refused to answer.

Janus and I didn’t have a choice. It’s not like we can force the answer out of him either. I sat down beside the two of them and looked at Josiah. I brushed his head and sighed. The only thing I can do now was wait and worry. I didn’t know the reason why he cried like that so I can’t think of a way to make it all alright. I felt helpless.

The day ended with Josiah still refusing to answer us or even talk to us. He completely shut his mouth and would only look at you. He would nod and shake his head to answer a yes or no question and would timidly point at something if he wanted it. He was still sitting at the corner where Janus put him earlier as he got his food. He was not moving an inch.

“What are we going to do now, Janus?” I asked my husband as worry started to eat me up inside. We are standing in the living room and was watching Josiah as he does nothing.

“We can’t do anything. He refused to tell us what was wrong and we don’t know why he was acting this way. Are you sure you didn’t see anything when you found him?” I shook my head to answer Janus’ question.

“No, there is nothing. I looked for some animal that might be hurt but I see nothing. There was nothing.”

A small sob escaped my lips and Janus place his arms around me. He hugged me tightly as he soothed down my back. Worry was eating me on the inside and the fact that I can’t do anything for my son was like a punch in the gut.

“I’m sorry. It was my fault. I didn’t watch over him properly.”

It was a whisper but I still heard it. He was blaming himself again. Janus tends to blame himself whenever something happened to either Josiah or me. Even the smallest scratch can make Janus feel bad and he would say sorry over and over again. His sense of responsibility was growing and growing. Just like now.

“That’s not true. It’s not your fault.”

That is all that I could say. Because I felt guilty too. I was also Josiah’s parent and I failed to understand the reason for his behavior. Why he was crying and why is he not saying a word to us. I should’ve done better. I should have protected him, but I did not. I leaned my head on Janus’ chest as he continued to rub his hand gently on my back. My arms were circled on his torso as we continued to watch our son.