A new thank you to my beta, fiorifrost-legallover, who recommended another song that has inspired more of this story! This chapter is rather short, but the next will be a bit better, and we will finally have the ball rolling towards the end! I hope you enjoy.
He came back. I was so upset. It was the middle of the day and Matthew and I were out in the fields and he just walked right in like it was nothing. He looked really mad, but he still didn't have shoes on. The scarf he wore covered his mouth, too, but it kind of looked like he was snarling when he got close. Matthew looked worried and I stood between him and the white-haired guy. He narrowed his eyes at me, then cleared his throat and said, "I need him."
"Like hell you do." I growled, grabbing Matthew's wrist tightly, accidentally making him drop the trowel he was using to plant more flowers along the gate of my cornfield. None of them had bloomed yet, but they sprouted. The Forget-Me-Nots hadn't even budded. I think they're dying.
Back to the point, that white-haired freak glared at me more and pulled out a gun. A gun! Who the hell does that?
Well, he whipped it out and pointed it at me, making Matthew whimper and cling to me tightly, "Don't hurt him!"
"I need you." the man growled, "You are to become one with me, Matthew!"
"I'm not becoming one with anyone!" Matthew hissed coldly, "Leave!"
"What does he mean?" I questioned, but neither of them answered me.
"I don't want to die!" Matthew nearly sobbed, gripping me tightly and shivering. I wrapped my arms around him, still unsure what they were talking about, but I could guess. This white-haired freak was probably going to kill and eat Matthew or something! I would never let my Mattie die!
"Look, dude, I don't know who you are or what the hell you want aside from Mattie, but you're never going to get him!" I declared and he narrowed his eyes at me again. He stepped up to me and pointed a rude finger in my face.
"You do not know our affairs. You do not know him. You have no right to stick that unsightly nose into our business. Hand him over now." He nudged the gun against my chest and I slapped it away, getting a shocked and angry look from the man.
"If I don't know Mattie, then you sure as hell don't either! I don't care what you might do to me, but you're never going to lay a finger on him!" Matthew's grip tightened around my arm and he whispered, "Alfred, please stop..."
"Don't make me out to be that bad guy here!" The white-haired guy growled coldly, getting close to me. That was when I noticed he wasn't snarling, he was actually smiling. Throughout this entire conversation, he had been smiling! What kind of freak was he?
"Yes, because the one here who wants to kill my Mattie is the saint." I said sarcastically, and the hulk of a man quirked a silver brow at me.
"'Your' Matthew?" He whispered, backing up and looking down at Matthew, who turned his eyes away in what could have been shame. I didn't know, but I didn't really want to know, either. Ivan's childish smile dropped and he looked genuinely confused, then he stepped forward once more, opening his mouth to say something, but Matthew cut in.
"Ivan! I'll... I'll talk to you later, okay? Just please... please leave." Matthew begged, and I shot the blond on my arm an incredulous look (aw yeah, look at me using big words.).
Ivan looked skeptical, and he backed up once more, slipping the gun back into the waistband of his pants, "Promise?"
Matthew nodded and clung to me tighter, "Promise..."
"Where?" He asked, and I kept my eyes on Matthew.
"Yeah, where?" I growled, and Matthew glanced up at me nervously, then back down to the dirt.
"My Forget-Me-Nots." He mumbled, and Ivan glanced out towards the cornfield. Matthew nodded, and Ivan sighed and stared us down for a few more minutes. I returned his gaze, biting back the urge to stick my tongue out at him or flip him off or something.
"Fine. Tonight." He said, then he turned and left quickly, hopping on the fence around my backyard. When he was gone, I shoved Matthew away and stared at him angrily.
"What the fuck are you thinking?" I yelled, making him flinch, but he stood up to me, albeit shakily.
"I was protecting you." He mumbled, and scoffed loudly and ran my fingers through my hair, scared for Matthew.
"I could've handled him! He's going to kill you, Mattie! Do you understand? You're going to die!" I yelled more, probably scaring him more than he originally was, if he was scared. He kept standing there and he stared into my eyes with this determined but nervous expression in his eyes and his lip quivered.
"What would I do then?" I questioned weakly, feeling my throat clench up at the idea of his mangled body at my doorstep. He gave me a confused look and I took his hands in my own, pulling him close and taking a deep breath to try and calm myself down,
"I don't want to lose you, Mattie..."
He watched me for a moment, then wrapped his arms around my neck and held me close, "You won't lose me. I'll stay with you always."
"How will I know? How will I know that you're alive and well?" I asked next, and Matthew shook his head slowly.
"You can't come with me..." He answered softly, stroking my cheek with his thumb. I tightened my grip on his hands.
"You can't go alone." I ordered, but he smiled at me and gave me that look that said 'I can and I will.' I pressed my forehead against his, "I have to go with you! I can't just sit at home and wait! I need to know you're still alive! Still well!"
He sighed then, looking disheartened, "I don't know what to tell you. I don't have an indicator that would tell me if I'm alive or dead..."
"Then tell me what to look for! I mean... I can always see you glowing in the fields! Even in the middle of the day!" I pointed out and Matthew thought about it, then tugged me towards the house.
"I think I want to sit now." He said simply, pulling me into the house and pushing me onto the couch in the sitting room. It was strangely warm in the room. He sat beside me and rested his head on my knees, and I started running my hands through his hair. He closed his eyes and stayed quiet for a long time. I began thinking he was never going to talk about tomorrow, but probably an hour later, he rolled onto his back and looked up at me.
"Alfred, I... I don't think he will kill me tonight." He said, then elaborated, "He won't kill me unless I go with him."
"Won't you be going to see him, though? Does that count?" I asked, still brushing his hair back and looking down at him with worry. He let out a soft sigh, then got off of the couch and walked across the room, towards the mantle above the fireplace and looking over the pictures left there from Arthur. He took one and ran his fingers over the face of Arthur and Papa together. I try to stay away from looking at that picture for too long, it makes me sad.
"Alfred..." He mumbled, and I made a soft noise to let him know I was listening. He kept his eyes away from me, but proceeded to look around the room before saying, "Where is your guardian?"
I looked away from him now, brows furrowing as I stared down at the carpet. I saw his feet turn towards me.
"This house is too big for you. Why are you alone?" He asked, and I felt an ache in my chest.
"I'm not alone. I'm waiting." I answered, and he tapped his nails against the glass of the picture.
"For what?" He asked next, and I shook my head. He came to me and sat beside me, keeping his eyes on me and asking again. He still had the picture in his hands.
"For Arthur to come home. He left a while ago, but he's coming back." I reassured myself, though I was talking to him. Matthew kept staring at me and I looked at the picture.
"How long have you been waiting?" He asked, and I shrugged.
"A few... years..." I mumbled, and Matthew laid the picture on his lap.
"Where did he go?" He asked next, looking even more worried the more we talked about it. I shrugged a bit and shook my head, really not wanting to talk about it. He looked at my expression, then rubbed his hands together nervously.
"Did he... did he abandon you?" He asked softly, and I gave him a shocked look, as if that question was ridiculous and he was too for asking it.
"Of course not! He would never!" I nearly shouted, making Matthew flinch and avert his eyes. I let out a soft sigh and apologized weakly, getting a small nod from the blonde beside me. After a few painfully quiet minutes, Matthew stroked the portrait of my Papa and Arthur again.
"You know... He reminds me of my Papa..." Matthew mumbled, and I gave him a curious look.
"How do you mean?" I asked, actually looking at the picture now, taking in the forgotten features of my Grandfather and Arthur and suffering the small pangs of guilt. My Papa looked so young and happy in this picture, but his face never matched his age. His shoulder length hair was wavy and a light blond, unlike my own. He had light stubble along his chin and this carefree smile accompanied with a flirtatious but meaningless wink.
Arthur, on the other hand, looked absolutely stiff. He was young, and his face always matched his age. His shoulders were almost to his ears and he was staring at the camera with a look that was practically screaming 'Get me away from this madman!' He was dressed in a tux and his eyebrows had been plucked that day, making him look rather alien.
"His eyes are kind..." Matthew mumbled, running his finger along the 2D cheek of my Papa and smiling a little, "And his face is similar..."
I stared at my Papa for a while longer, then I looked up at Matthew, frowning, "Do you think they could be the same?"
After a bit of silence, Matthew shook his head and let out a sad sigh, flipping the picture over and squeezing the frame tightly, shifting around as if uncomfortable with the conversation, "It can't be. My Papa passed away..." He explained, and I furrowed my brows.
"He found his companion? Isn't that good?" I asked, but Matthew shook his head quickly.
"He found no one. He died alone." I was even more surprised by this answer and I shook my head.
"How's that possible? I thought stars never died..." I mumbled, and Matthew closed his eyes and prepared himself for the story he wanted to tell me.
"Alfred..." He began, keeping his eyes closed and his grip tight on the picture, "When... When a star comes to Earth, sometimes... they forget. Like the townspeople here. And you." He opened his eyes now, looking at me. He put a hand over mine and squeezed it lightly.
"When that happens, Mother Nature takes over and kills them slowly. You remember the story." I nodded to show him I did, and he continued, "Well, when you forget you are a star, you cannot return unless another star comes down to save you. The other star, though, has to be your companion, or else they will not be able to take you. If you are saved, you cannot come back, or else you will forget completely and your companion will not be able to save you again."
He took in a small breath and looked down at our hands, stroking the back of mine with his thumb, "My Papa... He came to Earth when he was younger. He fell in love with Earth and forgot himself. His companion... His companion went down to save him, but ended up losing himself, too. They never met, Alfred. My Papa died alone on Earth."
I shook my head a little, watching Matthew's sullen face. Finally, I asked, "Is that why your Dad says it isn't safe here? Because he doesn't want you to lose yourself like your Papa?"
Matthew looked up at me again, then sniffed and rubbed his cheek slowly, shrugging slightly. "I don't know... but I know it's not as dangerous as he said. I didn't forget myself." He pointed out, and I nodded. He leaned against me, then, resting his head on my shoulder.
"I need to mourn..." He mumbled, and I ran my fingers through his hair as he cried lightly on my shoulder. He was done after a few minutes, but he still looked like the saddest thing on Earth. I couldn't stand watching him like this.
"Do you want to go out to town? We can visit the pottery shop again. You liked the old woman there, right?" I asked, and Matthew nodded slowly, then sat up.
"I'll get dressed." He said, and I nodded.
"I'll wait here."
When we arrived at the town, we didn't see as many townsfolk there, but the stores were still open. I had actually lost track of the date, but that didn't really matter. We headed straight for the pottery shop where the old woman sat out on her porch once more. He was rocking back and forth lazily in her chair, a few clay pots and plates set out along the railing. When we approached her porch, she looked down at us and let out a wavering gasp.
"Harold...!" She cried weakly, extending her frail arms to us. I took her hands and gave her a warm smile. Matthew said a small hello and walked into her shop, but she didn't mind.
"You came... Like you promised..." She cried softly, tightening and loosening her grip on my hands repetitively. I simply nodded and knelt before her, keeping her hands in my own.
"I came. Did you wait long?" I asked, going along with her story to keep her amused. She shook her head slowly and gave me a quivering grin, letting go of one of my hands to stroke my cheek. I saw Matthew looking at a few plates with flowers painted on them.
She leaned in close to me and took in a few short breaths, as if she were preparing to tell me a secret. I leaned in, too, smiling at her and keeping eye contact.
"Harold... That boy in the house..." She whispered and I nodded, listening closely, " The house... Is too big for him. He needs someone, Harold. I wanted to take care of him, but I am so old..."
"You're not old." I claimed, squeezing her right hand which was still tucked in my own. She let out a soft cackle.
"I am old." She repeated, closing her eyes and taking in a few more short breaths, "Will you look after the boy in the house?"
I nodded a little, still smiling, and I asked, "Which house does he live in?"
She squeezed my hand once more, then lifted a crooked finger and pointed towards my farmhouse, "The little blond boy... He's so shy..."
My smile dropped and I stared at her sadly, then I asked, "Do you mean me? Do you mean Alfred?"
She gave me a brief look of confusion, then shook her head no, "His name is Arthur. He fell from the sky, Harold."
Needless to say, my eyes widened and my jaw dropped. The woman began cackling again, my face probably amusing her the most. Matthew stepped out onto the porch and stood by me, giving the two of us a curious look. He snapped my jaw shut and stood up quickly, letting go of her. She looked over Matthew, then clicked her tongue and smiled.
"Harold... You look so young." She patted Matthew's hand and Matthew looked confused and a little worried that he didn't know what to do. I just shook my head and he took my hand. She looked between the two of us and shook her head, then reached forward to pry our hands apart.
"Harold... You have to wait for that boy..." She scolded, looking between me and Matthew, so neither of us knew who she was talking to. After a short silence, I cleared my throat and gave one last smile.
"We're going now. To the farmhouse." I said, gently pushing Matthew towards the tractor. She gave me an excited look and brought her hands to her face.
"Will you take care of the shy blonde boy?" She asked and I nodded, slowly walking back off the porch and towards the tractor.
"I'll take care of him." I promised, then helped Matthew onto the tractor before getting on myself. As we drove off, she called out to us, "Treat him well, Harold! Treat him well!"
When we got home, I was a little more than shaken. Could it have been that Arthur, the very man who took care of me when my Papa died, was a star himself? If so, why didn't he ever tell me?
She had said he fell from the sky. What other proof would I need? Arthur was a star! He was!
I collapsed on the couch, laying down sideways with one foot on the backrest, the other hanging off the armrest.
"Arthur was a star all along..." I mumbled, and Matthew sat in the chair beside the couch, so I could look at him. He gave me a confused look, so I elaborated.
"Arthur, the man in the picture. The one looking all stiff. He took care of me after my Papa died, and he's the one I'm waiting for, but... But now I know where he is!" I said softly, the excitement not yet hitting me, but I could feel it coming. The small buzz in the back of my head and the slow increase of my heart rate as the idea bounced around in my noggin.
"Where is he?" Matthew asked, leaning back in the chair and stroking the armrest subconsciously. I bit my lip and sat up straight, leaning forward so my elbows were on my knees.
"He's in the sky!" I said in a near whisper, flicking my fingers outwards to give the final word a little more flourish, "He's a star, Mattie! He's up there, in space! It's all true!"
I continued ranting, claiming how my Papa was right all along and how much I owed him, but the more I spoke, the more sullen Matthew's face became, and soon I stopped mid-sentence and asked him what the matter was. He refused to answer and went upstairs, telling me he'd be leaving to meet Ivan, that white-haired freak of nature, at midnight.
I leaned back against the couch for a minute, no longer feeling the buzz since I didn't have anyone to share it with. Also, Matthew's lack of happiness was starting to get to me.
I decided to keep pestering him about it and I went upstairs with him, seeing him lying on the bed and stroking the pedals to the Forget-Me-Nots in the crystal vase. He still looked quite sad, so I bent down beside the vase and kissed the side of it, getting his attention and a small quirk of a golden brow. I smiled and repeated him.
"I'm giving the vase love. It says to."
He smiled in return, but it was still a sad smile, and he pulled me into bed beside him. He curled up against me and let out a slow sigh.
"Want to hear a story my Dad told me?" He asked me, and I nodded. Anything to keep my mind off of creeper-Ivan and what seemed like Matthew' eminent doom. He got comfortable beside me and began telling me. I'll write down what I remember.
'There are men on Earth who remember their origins, but don't want to go back home. These men fell in love with Earth, despite the fact that they were going to die if they stayed too long. At one point, they decided to rally against any other stars in order to show their gratitude to Mother Nature, hoping that she will allow them to live if they have a common interest.
These men track down fallen stars and kill them, draining their bodies of blood and energy, allowing Mother Nature to absorb it all. Sometimes, they'll wear their golden skin as proof that they love Mother Nature more than their family. These men will stop at nothing to murder any new star or any star that remembers their origin, other than each other.'
I listened to the story closely, my imagery of these 'men' slowly turning into Ivan and my hatred for the man increased. If this man was what Matthew was telling me about, I would definitely hate to see him leave.
So, I decided, when Matthew wakes up to 'talk' with Ivan, that murderous psychopath cannibal freak, I'll wait a few minutes, then follow with a knife or one of Arthur's guns, then I'd kill him and keep Matthew safe forever.
Just as Matthew was about to fall asleep, he whispered something to me. It sounded a little like, "If I die here, Alfred, you will be sad. You will be so, so sad. You will grieve forever."
Alfred F. Jones