Disclaimer: I do not own Charlie Bone.
One year ago yesterday, I posted the first chapter of Illuminations. If that isn't a reason for a new chapter, I don't know what is! I was planning on posting this yesterday, but the site wouldn't let me log in for the entire day. This is another glimpse into Paton's past, because I've found that I really like writing about it. It's very fun to try to blend canon with events that I feel could have plausibly taken place in Paton's past!
Enjoy, and please review!!
High above the city, the deep blue sky was cluttered with billowing white clouds that drifted lethargically, offering a reprieve from the sun to those below. A warm summer breeze blew through the air, ruffling the shaggy black hair of a young man. He sat in the park, long legs drawn up so as to fit on the bench on which he sat. His knees stuck up into the air, a position which—though uncomfortable—allowed him to prop a textbook in his lap.
One of the most pleasant days of the summer, this particular Saturday was gorgeous: the air was devoid of humidity, the temperature was moderate, and the flora throughout the city had taken on a brilliant shade of green. The park itself presented a pleasant picture as well. Grass carpeted the ground but for a slim concrete path, which was situated under an awning of alternating oak and elm trees, and flowers of all colors were scattered under and around the foliage.
Paton's bench was positioned so that he was comfortably shaded by an ancient oak, its massive branches allowing only the smallest amounts of sunlight trickling down to warm Paton's face. He basked in the warmth, relishing this rare day outside. The day was beautiful by anyone's standards, and even Paton could not resist the pull of nature; he had opened up his window that morning and had been lured outside, drawn by the fresh smell of the air.
His homework beckoned to him, and he returned his attention to the text sitting in front of him. He smirked triumphantly as he tracked down an elusive piece of information. "Aha," he muttered, jotting down a note on his paper. He followed the sentence in the textbook, tracing his finger along the line of text.
As term had just started, he didn't have much work to do, but he had nevertheless managed to accrue a few assignments. "Just a few more questions," he said to himself, his pencil moving rapidly across his paper. He worked in silence, his concentration occasionally broken by the passing individual.
The wind picked up its pace, and Paton swore softly as his paper threatened to blow away. Holding it firmly in place, he scribbled down the remainder of his answer and then slammed his book shut, placing his paper in a folder. Grinning broadly, he shoved book, folder, and pencil into his waiting bag and sat back against the bench.
It was so rare that he came outside in the middle of the day, and he wanted to enjoy it. Paton stuck his arms behind his back, resting his head in his hands, and settled down on the bench.
He gazed up at the tree above, its ancient limbs extending high above his head. Allowing himself a sigh of contentment, he watched the leaves dance and twirl with the wind. The balmy breeze caressed his face, filling every aspect of his being with the utmost sense of contentment.
Paton leaned back and closed his eyes, allowing the walls with which he guarded himself to crumble. A serene smile played about his face.
He didn't know how long he lay like that, sprawled out on a bench in the park amid the trees and flowers. Every now and then he heard people walk by, pausing to send a quizzical glance his way or to giggle at the dozing teen on the bench. He didn't care. He was content and he was outside, and that was all that mattered.
A small tug on the leg of his pants brought him back to reality, and Paton opened his eyes to see a small boy standing by his feet. Shaking errant thoughts out of his head, Paton sat up and realized with a jolt that he had allowed the better part of the afternoon to pass by.
"Excuse me, mister," the boy began, "but I'm lost. Can you help me?"
Paton stared at the child. The boy couldn't have been older than six, and his small, pale face was framed by an unruly mop of dark hair. "Isn't your mother nearby?" Paton asked, hoping that it was so.
"No," the boy replied, his large eyes opening wide. "I just stopped for a minute to look at the pretty flowers, and she was gone!"
Sighing, Paton swung his feet off the bench, resting them on the cement of the path. He wanted nothing more than to go home and read—the perfect end to the perfect day. However, his conscious would not let him leave, and a quick glance down the path revealed that there was no one else nearby who could help.
"Do you know which way she was going?" he asked the child, resigning himself to the situation. Perhaps he saw just a little too much of himself in the lost little boy standing in front of him.
The boy bit his lip for a minute and then pointed to the left.
"Are you sure?" Paton asked, levering himself off of the bench. He leaned this way and that, stretching out muscles stiff from his prolonged tenure on the bench.
All the boy could do was nod. He stared at Paton with an awe-struck and impressed look on his face.
Paton felt uncomfortable under the scrutiny of the child. "What is it?" he asked, rubbing the back of his neck.
"You're really tall!"
Despite himself, Paton chuckled. "That I am. Now," he said, peering down the tree-lined path, "shall we go find your mother?" He swung his bag onto his back and looked down quizzically at the boy.
"Oh," the child exclaimed, remembering his quest, "yeah!" Tilting his head, he looked up at Paton, shading his eyes against the glare of the late afternoon sun. "Hey, mister, what's your name?"
"I'm Paton."
"Paton," the boy repeated, committing it to memory. "Well, thank you for helping me, Mr. Paton. My name is William."
Smiling, Paton began to walk down the path, pausing to allow William time to catch up. "It's nice to meet you, William."
They walked in silence for a while, Paton periodically adjusting his long stride to allow William to keep up. Scattered along the path at varying intervals were families and individuals, but none were identified by the child as being a relative.
Not unexpectedly, it was William who first broke the silence. "Where are your parents, Mr. Paton?" the boy asked. "Did you lose them, too?"
Taken by surprise, Paton halted in the middle of the path, painful memories that he had long suppressed resurfacing. His face took on a closed expression as he fought back pain he thought he had banished long ago.
"Mr. Paton?" William asked, alarmed. "Are you okay?"
The sound of the child's scared voice brought Paton back to his senses. "Yes, I'm fine," he said, managing a strained smile. A shake of his head banished any remaining horrors, and Paton started back down along the path. "To answer your question, yes, I have lost my mother. But," he said, holding up a hand to forestall any comments, "not in the same manner that you have."
"What about your dad?" William questioned, panting slightly as he caught up. "Is he lost, too?"
This time, Paton managed a real smile. "No, he at least is quite well. He is at home, by the sea."
"The sea, really?" Excitement was evident in the boy's voice. "I've never been to the sea! What's it like? Is it pretty? Why aren't you there now?"
Paton laughed quietly to himself at the inexhaustible stream of questions. "Well, it is one of the most enjoyable places that I have ever been. It is gorgeous; the water sparkles in the sunlight, and you wake up to the crash of the waves on the shore." As he spoke, a wave of homesickness hit him. "As for why I'm not there right now, I'm here attending school. I stay with a friend on weekends."
The boy digested the information. "School is yucky," he said finally.
"Succinctly put, my friend," Paton said. He paused underneath a particularly tall elm, surveying the surrounding area. "I believe we have almost reached the end of the park, and we have yet to see your mother, William."
William's face fell. "But, I know she came this way!" he said, looking scared. "I only stopped for a minute to look at the flowers!"
"Well," Paton said encouragingly, "we'll just have to keep looking then. We'll find—" he broke off, seeing a frantic woman approaching.
"William!" she exclaimed, looking ready to weep with relief. "I've been looking for you everywhere!"
The boy beamed, running over to meet his mother. "Mom! I'm sorry I ran off," he said, looking abashed. "I saw a pretty flower, and then I turned around and you were gone." A few tears came to his eyes. "I looked for you for a long time, and Mr. Paton was helping me."
His mother turned to look at Paton suspiciously.
Paton, for his part, tried to look as responsible and amiable as possible. She regarded him carefully, taking in his height, his rumpled clothing, his bag and books, and the concerned expression that he wore. Finally, she decided that this tall, somewhat intimidating youth truly meant well. "Thank you so much for looking after him," she said, extending her hand. "I hope he wasn't any trouble!"
"Not at all," Paton said courteously, shaking the proffered hand. "It was no trouble at all. William is a very charming individual, and I'm glad to have helped."
William's mother smiled. "Well, thank you once again," she said. She looked down at her son. "I imagine that you are tired after your adventure, Will. Let's get you home."
"Okay," the child murmured, sleepy now that he was safe with his mother once more. "Thank you, Mr. Paton," he said. "I hope you find your mother."
Paton smiled slightly, watching the boy and his mother walk away. "Enjoy your family, William," he said quietly. "You don't know how lucky you truly are."
He stood staring down the path for a while, watching as the two shapes dwindled into nothing. Turning on his heel, he strolled back along the park path, running a hand through his hair in an attempt to smooth down some windblown strands.
The fragrant scent of some of the flowers wafted up to his nose, and he inhaled, enjoying the pleasant aroma. Paton stopped and gazed around the park, taking in the nature that surrounded him. The grass was crisp and green, just long enough to wave in the breeze, and the wizened trees above were vivid in the radiant sunlight.
Scattered around the path and trees were the flowers, vibrant and of every color and variety. Paton paused next to a particularly arresting blue iris, gazing for a long time at its azure, blade-like petals.
Returning to full height, he smiled faintly. "The flowers truly are pretty," he murmured. He turned once more and continued down the path, whistling.
I actually have a bit of trivia for this one! The iris is a symbol of both lost love and hope, so I thought it would be fitting to include it. This was actually one of the easiest chapters to write so far. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Reviews make excellent birthday presents (remember, the story turned one year old yesterday)!