This is the second chapter. I own nothing
- 2. Walk My Love -
Eve awoke to sunlight on her face and something warm laying against her. She looked down to find Auto sleeping peacefully in her arms, although his body shuddered whenever he inhaled. She recalled the long talk they'd had the night before and came to a startling realization.
Auto had listened to her.
He had actually listened to her. The whole time she spoke, his eyes never left her, except when he fell sobbing to the floor. He hadn't turned his head away, he hadn't told her to leave, he hadn't interrupted her. He hadn't even given her the worn out, half-hearted "Just give it time." Instead, she had gotten a sincere, empathetic "I understand." It was just what she had been wishing someone would do. She had to admire that even through his obvious illness, he had given his attention and time to her, time that he could have been resting and trying to get over his sickness. She wished with all her heart that she could think of some way to thank him and show him just how much she appreciated what he'd done for her.
Her wrist messager pinged, bringing her back to reality. She sighed. Could they ever just leave her alone? She gently moved Auto slowly onto the sofa, so as not to wake him. She noticed that he was shivering as he lay there. She went off through the house and came back a moment later, arms full of blankets. She rolled one up and placed it under Auto's head. Then she draped the rest of the blankets over him until she was sure he would be warm. She found a torn piece of paper and quickly wrote a note on it explaining where she'd gone. She hesitated, then added.
Be back later.
With that, she left the note on the crate and let herself out, taking a last look at the sleeping Auto before she left.
Auto was outside when she returned after her lunch. She found him behind his house sitting under an old weeping willow tree beside the creek. He held what looked like a cooked fish in one hand, the other he would occasionally use to steady himself on the rock he sat on. Eve noted that the fish was rather skinny and not very big. No wonder Auto was severely underweight. What little he was able to get for food wasn't even enough to be a snack. He turned around when he heard her approaching footsteps and smiled when he saw her. His bare feet dangled over the bank and sat ankle-deep in the dirty water.
"So you have returned, just as your note said you would." She nodded and sat down beside him. The willow branches formed a sort of tent or curtain around them, shutting out the rest of the world.
"Trissa would have loved this place. She would have wanted to come here every day."
"She liked the peace and quiet, didn't she?" Eve asked. Auto nodded
"She said that someday, she wanted to walk along a creek in the woods and just listen to the brook and the sound of the wind and the sounds of the birds. There was only one thing she said she would want to hear."
"What was that?" Eve asked, an idea forming in her head.
Auto was quiet for a moment, then answered, "Me singing to her." He sighed. "She said it was the most beautiful sound she'd ever heard."
"I've got an idea, Auto." Eve said, "How about you and I take that walk that Trissa always wanted. For her memory." Auto found his staff and slowly got to his feet.
"I'd like that." he said softly. Before she realized what she was doing, she had taken him by the hand and the two started off, following the stream into the woods. After they were well into the forest, Eve turned to Auto.
"Auto, um, I was just wondering..."
"Yes?" His blue eyes turned to face her.
"Well, um, you said it was one of Trissa's favorite things, so, um, ...could you ...sing for me?"
Auto laughed.
"Of course I can. Here, I'll sing you one of her most favorite songs." He started out, his voice soft and sweet. Eve could tell why Trissa loved the sound.
Siuil, siuil, siul a run,
Siuil go sochair agus siuil go ciuin
Siuil go doras agus ealaigh lion
Siuil, siuil, siul a run,
Siuil go sochair agus siuil go ciuin
Siuil go doras agus ealaigh lion
Is go dte tu mo mhuirnin slan
I wish I was on yonder hill
'Tis there I'd sit and cry my fill,
And every tear would turn a mill,
I'll sell my rock, I'll sell my reel,
I'll sell my only sword of steel,
To buy my love a spinning wheel
Siuil, siuil, siul a run,
Siuil go sochair agus siuil go ciuin
Siuil go doras agus ealaigh lion
Is go dte tu mo mhuirnin slan
I'll dye my tunics, I'll dye them red,
And 'round the world I'll beg my bread,
Until my parents shall wish me dead,
Siuil, siuil, siul a run,
Siuil go sochair agus siuil go ciuin
Siuil go doras agus ealaigh lion
Is go dte tu mo mhuirnin slan
Siuil, siuil, siul a run,
Siuil go sochair agus siuil go ciuin
Siuil go doras agus ealaigh lion
Siuil, siuil, siul a run,
Siuil go sochair agus siuil go ciuin
Siuil go doras agus ealaigh lion
Is go dte tu mo mhuirnin slan
Eve was awestruck, even as he finished.
"That was beautiful, Auto." she said.
"Thank you. Maybe some night, I can share more of our songs with you." he replied as he limped slowly at her side.
"I'd love that." Eve said, "I would love to do that."
They walked some more before the woods gave way to a vast landfill, the trash stretching out as far as they could see in all directions.
"This she would have hated." Auto said.
"I hate it, too." Eve said, "It brings back too many-" She trailed off when she saw that Auto's gaze was elsewhere. His eyes had fallen on something moving in the trash.
"Auto." she placed a hand on his shoulder, "You don't think there are people here, do you?"
"Let's go find out." was his answer. Slowly, they moved closer to tthe trash pile Auto had been watching, Auto having to pause often to find a solid place to put his staff. They were almost to it when they saw the movement again. But this time, they could see what it was.
A young boy, who couldn't have been older than ten, if he was even that old, lay in the dirt, trying to push himself up. But his thin, frail arms wouldn't allow it. Eve gasped. This child was in worse condition than Auto! His small body was barely more than a skeleton, his skin covered in dust and dirt and bruises. He seemed to have fallen in broken glass at some point, as his body was covered with cuts, nicks and scrapes. His long black hair was matted and tangled, much like Auto's, his eyes barely open. There was no doubt about it, this child was on the very brink of death. There was no telling how many diseases he had or was carrying. She noticed one of his hands was holding a tattered, faded photograph of a man and woman holding a baby.
The same photograph Auto wore around his neck.
As if the child sensed their presence, he lifted his head, looked straight at Auto, and gasped out the one word that stopped Auto's heart and froze his blood.
"Father?"
Ha ha, cliffie. I am so evil.
Note: The song Auto sang is "Siuil a Ruin" by Celtic Woman. It's one of my favorite songs from them. I just had to change a few words because Auto is a man singing about a woman, while the original song is done by a woman (hence the name Celtic WOMAN)