[chapter 7] + The Caretaker +

Chickens started cockling earlier than usual making Cadens get up a lot earlier than everyone else did. He was never a deep sleeper, not even during those times when his parents were still around.

The village was still asleep although faint lights are starting to glow from some of the houses’ windows. The sun wasn’t illuminating much of the surroundings yet. In fact, the only sign of the sun was that the sky was lighter than how it usually is during night time or dawn. Still, the mood was silent and the winds were quite chilly.

Cadens hiked up in his usual pace, humming as he did so. The sound of cracking twigs along his way was the only sound that can be heard along the forest yet Cadens did not feel so eerie. He never actually paid attention to the forest’s true aura ever since. His only thought with regards the forest was that it was his only way to his parents.

He was almost near the spot where his parents died when he felt that he was not alone. More importantly, he saw this faint figure near his parents’ white cross. It was cloaked in a dirty cloth and it seemed to be doing something near his parents’ so-called grave. Cadens was not scared yet he hesitated to go nearer.

Moments passed by and still, Cadens kept his distance. He was near enough to see the grave but at the same time, he made it a point to be far enough not to be seen. The figure wasn’t doing anything bad. In fact, it seemed to be like a person who was cutting away the growing weeds along the cross. “No wonder it had been this orderly all these years.” Cadens thought.

Now, all hesitation was gone. He decided to approach the grave and whoever that was to thank him for what he’d been doing these past four years. Cadens walked slowly and carefully so as to not make any sound that would catch the attention of the person. Unfortunately, it did not work. Their distances were quite close when the cloaked person noticed the presence of the younger boy and in an instant, he fled towards the darker parts of the woods.

“Wait!” Cadens called back.

His shout was unheard by the caretaker.