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The only thing that looked recognizeable was his red shirt with short sleeves. Otherwise, it all looked strange. Over his red shirt he had a blue vest; but it was as it had been filled with foam when I felt it. He was also very cold. He was also wearing some kind of grey short pants, and the baseball cap with the pine tree, but it was very colorful, white and blue. Obviously I needed to do something about him. I decided to come back near the end of school so I could get him on the bus and to my house. It was a plan. So I started back into the school. The rest of the day was pretty bland. The only thing I could think about is that boy. Over the rest of the day I decided he was probably from the future. I named him Pines, after his hat. At the end of the day, "Stanford Owens, 4th grade, please come to the office," they announced. I hoped I didn't get accused of something. It happens a lot. It turns out that I left my jacket in the gym. I figured I might be able to make it to the bus if I got Pines from the forest, but I decided to leave him in the hole and just check on him every recess instead, and once every Saturday. I had a gut feeling that I didn't want any doctors on him; I was the one who found him with intent to take care of him. I don't know when he will wake up.
-3 months later-
It's the end of school, finally. One thing I noticed: Pines hasn't grown AT ALL. I've got a good 2 inches (still really short). I figured I can check on him every Saturday over the summer. So far he's doing fine other than the fact that he isn't aging. It's a good routine.
-3 months later-
It's still the same. I'm in the 5th grade now. It's so routined now. Every recess, I check on Pines. Last summer, because of my freedom, I was able to dig the hole a little deeper for more headroom and I added a few old blankets. What was strange, though, was that he moved. He just shifted over on his left side. His hat fell loose and I noticed on his forehead that he had some markings that looked like the Big Dipper. Or one of them anyway.
-21 months later (2 3/4 years)-
I graduated my elementary school. What do I do? I realized just this last week I have no idea what to do about Pines. I walked into the forest for probably the last time that Saturday. It was June 18. I crept into the hole. It was well furnished now. I kept digging deeper as I grew taller (relative terms) and, I had to lower the ceiling more. As not to disrupt Pines I kept his blankets & things where they were, so it looks as if he's slightly elevated from the floor. I added a folded blanket as a chair and a footstool to keep tinker toys and other things. I was wondering what to do. The easiest thing would be to leave him. I care for him for 3 years and then I abandon him? Out of the question. I was MAYBE strong enough to lift him now. I would test it, but, you know, least amount of disturbance and such. Perhaps I could turn him in. I've heard rumors about how bad the doctors are. How much can I trust the rumors, though? Enough to not turn him in, I suppose. I guess that moving him myself is the best option, but where could I put him? I decided to sleep on it, maybe think at home. As I started for home a gust of cool wind flew in. it will be freezing no matter when. I think I had a jacket there. I guess not. I started to leave again, regardless of the wind.
"Ow!"