Existing (under editing)

Chapter 9*

It felt good to have someone here. I had been so much happier with Lucas around. We were able to have fun together. In the summer days as they went by he managed to perfect his swimming and fishing. He would catch the fish and I would teach him how to clean and cook them. Once he had asked why I don't worry about eating them, I would simply say, They have no voice.

He would help me plant more vegetables and gather them. He was able to reach the tallest apple in the apple tree we found near Wickers' field. We would chase each other through the trees and roll in the grass. He was happier.

Occasionally I saw him drift of in his mind but it was getting less and less as he grew stronger. The animals got used to seeing him after a while. The little otters grew, but Olly still tried to play super hero around Lucas through. Benjie even payed a visit to us one day when we were out for a walk. He'd been so startled to see Lucas he accidently skunked poor Pepper who had been standing behind him. We had to a squish whole plant full of tomatoes on him all night just to get the stink out. Benjie had been so sorry for his old friend and managed to get him a really large bone off one of the foxes up north a little ways.

Lucas and I had grown closer too. We would share stories of our childhood, the happy ones. And we would laugh all day and night. He wasn't just a stranger anymore and neither was I. Pepper might not approve but we were friends now. The best of friends. Occasionally we would get in trouble but Pepper was starting to relax as Lucas grew on him. He was fun loving and full of life, making every day seem good and light.

In the quiet moments I would sit and watch him. He would be sitting and fishing, grin on his face as he slouched in his seat, sitting and waiting for a bite on the rod. He would hear me approach and when he would see me his face would just light up like a fire work. His smile making me flush and all giddy like a child. But as our friendship blossomed I couldn't help wonder if there was something more, something I was missing of my understanding that seemed to shine from his eyes. But it lifted me too. As I woke every morning to rush down to see him and his smile. The days had passed like dreams....

"What's the plan today?" Lucas asked munching on a carrot still in his mouth; I could see his jaw clenching as he chewed.

We were walking toward the mountains to the east. Even though our days here had been fun I needed answers. We hadn't spoken at all about Lucas's travels here but it niggled at the back of my mind for ages. Nothing had been revealed to me of life beyond besides him. And nothing had changed but our friendship that had developed almost instantly. I needed to find that something more. That something my parents left me for. Out there were Lucas was. So when we woke today I had decided it was about time to put a foot in it and get some answers.

"What was your family like?" I asked, distracting him before he protested what we were doing, pulling my sleaves up in the heat, panting a little with the effort to walk the long distance.

"Mum was cool. She used to sing constantly though." he laughed. "It was awful. Dad never minded it though; he loved her just the same."

He was looking up as he walked, breathing in the scent of the forest. The flowers where in full bloom and smelt as vibrant as ever. His face wasn't pained anymore, peaceful and at ease and smiled silently as I went on asking another questions and had caught on to what I was up to too soon but continued to walk, defeated and probably at the realisation I had had this morning as well. We couldn't go on like this forever, not me anyway. And I think he finally gave in. "Did you have any, what are they called, male and female siblings?"

"Brothers and sisters? I had a sister, a couple of years older than me. She was awesome. She was out spoken and loud but she was always doing stuff to look out for others and always looked after me... I don't really know what happened to them when I left but..."