WebNovels

Chapter 1 - 1

Declan 

I looked up to the grey heavy clouds with a feeling of deep despair. The cold wind nipped away at my ankles as I took in my surroundings. Pine trees enveloped me as if to keep me prisoner but with the knowledge that freedom was just behind them. 

The moisture in the air wasn't new. It was impossible not to be used to a wet rainy atmosphere considering the state we were in, but still, the circumstances were dire. No more was the tar road of the city under my boots but the muddy gravel that crunched with each step I took. 

This was my life now. I would have to get used to it if I wanted to survive here. After all, beggars couldn't be choosers and I would be damned if I ever considered myself to be helpless. 

"I know it's not the Empire State buildings," Malachi chucked next to me as he held one of my boxes, "but it has heated floors and trust me, when the clouds part, the view is to die for. You'll get used to it as the days pass by."

That was what I was afraid of. Getting used to this. Getting used to my current 'now'. It felt wrong to get used to anything that I didn't already know. As if by me moving on to what I used to know would also mean that I would forget. 

I could never forget. Never forget what had brought me here, that I never wanted to look back. I knew no matter how many people that told me it would get easier I knew it wouldn't because none of them had been through what I had been through. If they had they would understand that it was impossible for me to see the silver lining in these thunderous clouds. 

The more I looked at the house it wasn't bad. It was far from bad. The country styled home nestled in its own little ranch with cream wooden paneling, white window frames and a quirky red roof that always reminded me of a house within a children's farm book. 

A wrap around porch with mint green balustrades and a matching front door that had a circular window that we could peek into. The house had the same character as the man who stood next to me. 

Malachi was one of those people that never had a bad day. He was always smiling and even if he wasn't he had a pleasant expression on his face. I didn't know if it was because he reminded me of a golden retriever in human form. 

Honey blonde hair that was always tousled because of the beanies he wore. His eyes were a mix of green and blue that were bright despite the lack of sun region he lived in. His cheeks had an equal blush and the tip of his nose slightly red. 

He had those smiles that made you feel bad for not being as equally as happy as he was. Tall and lean. He and I had only met a handful of times, all pleasant, but he was considered a good friend to me. The only friend I had to turn too when things had gotten bad. 

I realized it was wrong for me to look so glum when he had extended his home to me as well. Not that the shoebox I used to live in was any better. At least here, there were real pine trees; not the cheap mini one I could only afford on sale, grass, and most importantly space. 

That was the one thing I appreciated the most right now. 

I turned to Mal with a small smile, "thank you Mal, I appreciate it."

He gave me one of his smiles again which made me feel bad for lying to him. If life had gone my way, if the ugly head of evil hadn't won, I would still only be coming here for a short trip, not permanently. "It's my pleasure Declan," he gently placed his hand on my shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze, "we'll make the most out of it."

I pressed my tongue to the roof of my mouth as I looked away from him and up to the house. The tight clogging of my throat threatened to unravel me as I felt my eyes burn. I blinked the sudden overwhelming emotions away and nodded. I had no choice but to make the most out of it. 

"Come on let me give you a little tour," he adjusted his hold on the box again before he went up the stairs that gently creaked with each step. 

I grabbed my travelling bag and two duffel bags then followed behind him. Grateful to leave the damp behind. Evidently Mal would have a welcome mat that had a bee smiling excitedly before his front door. As well as the lemon pot plant that somehow seemed to be thriving despite the not so great conditions. 

It didn't even seem like he had locked the door and he just turned the handle and it opened. Clearly safety was not a big concern for him. I would have to educate him on that especially considering we were in bear countryside. 

The hairs at the back of my neck immediately stood up in attention at the warmth that hugged me when I entered the house. The tension in my shoulders seemed to dissolve away as I let out a content sigh. I watched him kick off his boots by the landing and copied his actions. 

"You can wear these slippers inside, don't worry they're new. Got them specially for you," he beamed and gestured to the bear like slippers waiting next to his beaver ones. 

Malachi truthfully was a special case. 

"Thank you," I chuckled before slipping my feet in them and found great comfort in how cushioned they were. These would be handy when I would be standing on my feet all day.

More Chapters