Oath chapter 8

Jay got up and walked out the backdoor of the factory. It was clear and bright out, the sun was just starting to rise over the trees. It was warm out here. All the snow was melted. Behind the factory Jay discovered a large field. The grass was short and wet, a pale green but still colorful in a way. This field sloped up, forming a hill in front of him. Jay stood at the base of the hill confused at what was going on. His headache was pounding. The sun got into his eyes but it didn't hurt him. He felt the warm rays on his face and enjoyed them. With the old factory at his back he felt a sort of relief. It was a house of horrors. Though when he recalled that he had found nothing he contemplated returning to the factory. But here... here there were no screams and while he leg was still bleeding, the pain wasn't unbearable. He looked at his hands and clothing. They were filthy from ash and soot.

Near him he found a small stream flowing from the top of the hill. It was only a few inches deep but enough to put his hands into to rinse himself off. The water was brisk but it felt good to remove the ash from his cuts and sores. His clothing remained smothered in dirt. The field whispered to him as he bathed and washed his face and he looked up in curiosity. He was not frightened as he had been before, but confused.

Pondering what he heard, he stood up in front of the trickling stream and looked up the hill. He saw a giant oak casting its shadow on the hill and still a second shadow at the base of the hill.

A cool breeze passed and massaged his cut up face from all the metal shavings and debris. The field was vibrant as the sun struck it with a soothing light. Jay began up the hill and drew near to the tree.

A boy was laying on his belly playing with a toy train.

"Who are you?" The boy looked up at him and smiled to see company.

"I'm Jay. What are you doing back here?"

"It's my hill," the boy responded.

"Oh," Jay took a knee and knelt next to the boy asking, "what is your name?"

"Adam of course!" The boy chuckled and brought his attention back to his train.

"I knew that..." Jay whispered this to himself studying the child.

Jay asked the boy, "Why are you on this hill alone?"

"I'm playing with my train."

"Where are your parents, Adam?"

The boy looked up at Jay and offered him to take the train and play with it. He said "Well, I'm waiting for my daddy."

"Where is he right now?"

"I'm not sure. He's usually here at the Oak."

Jay looked up at the tree and back down at the boy. The tree was easily fifty times their size. It was ancient yet it looked so alive.

"Do you come here often, Adam?"

"No, I'm not allowed. He doesn't take me with him."

"Why are you here then if he doesn't allow you here?" Jay looked over at the factory as he asked this and could understand why Adam's dad wouldn't let him come here.

"I have not seen him in years. Do you like ice cream Jason?"

Jay ignored this question and looked at Adam strangely. "Does he know you are looking for him?"

"I don't know! Maybe. I miss him so much. Here I have another train for you. I've been waiting to play with someone for so long, Jason!" Adam handed Jay the toy train and Jay put it by his side, looking for intently at the boy with concern.

"Why did he stop coming to the oak?"

"He didn't."

"But you haven't seen him in years."

Adam burst into laughter, now understanding why Jay was confused. "I'm not really here silly!"

Jay opened his mouth trying to comprehend the boy's cryptic language "Adam, where are you?"

"I don't know...Why aren't you playing with the train?"

"Where Adam! Where are you?" Jay started to panic.

"I don't know! Stop yelling!" The boy got up and walked to another side of the tree with his back turned to Jay.

"I'm sorry, Adam." Jay scratched his head but felt pain from some open cuts hidden by his hair. He quickly brought his hand back by his side.

With his back turned to Jay, he played with his train for a while. Jay didn't want to upset him again. He felt he betrayed Adam by raising his voice. But the boy felt so distant. He just wanted to reach the boy.

Adam turned to Jay. "Am I going to die?"

Jay drew back, shocked Adam asked this. "No...no you won't die. Come with me, Adam. I'll save you."

"I don't have a lot of time. I'm going to die." He clutched his train and pulled it close.

"Adam I swear I'll save you!" He got up and ran to pick Adam up but Adam was gone. Jay snarled and looked at the toy train by the base of the oak. He bent over and picked it up looking at the factory.

Jay gripped at the train tightly. "Fuck!"

He started back to the factory and the opened metal doors inviting him in.