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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Kids
- Theme: Family & Friends
- Subject: Adventure
- Published: 01/08/2021
Chapter Two
Mancos, Colorado
July 2018
It was a scorching Wednesday morning. Sweat was trickling down Sorin’s back in thick drops like warm soup. He was walking slowly uphill, his little farmhouse quite a distance now. He stared at his feet, watching them move resistantly. He was on the long, steep road that separated his house from the main town. He’d walked this road every day for years. So used to it now it was almost easy. Except for today. Heat was weighing him down, and so was his misfortune. The news he’d received yesterday was a nasty shock. It was still processing in his jumbled mind. Brushing away a damp white strand of hair from his eyes, he turned back to scan the view. From his height, he could spot the mountains interrupting the town’s skyline. One of his favourite things about climbing up the road was those mountains. They were so distant, staying in their position for a lifetime. They looked like giant soldiers, all lined up to form a barrier from the outside world. It was a mystery, what was on the other side of those mountains. He’d have to find out one day if he could ever afford to. Sorin could also see Mancos river. It looked like a thin blue squiggle, and very out of place. He liked to imagine that someone took out a pen and scrawled across the picture that claimed to be this view. A silence, and then he turned and continued up the road. It would get hotter later, so before then, he had to get this annoying walk over with.
When Sorin reached the end of the rocky road, he found himself standing in the town. It was almost empty - a rarity - but it was welcome. There was the wide road, mostly rocks and dust, and then a couple of buildings. Several small clothing and grocery stores, a barber, a Doctor’s office, and a boat shop were the closest in view. There were lots more buildings further ahead, including houses, running a few more kilometres across. Then there was the ice cream shop. That place was almost like home to him. It was a decent sized place. Recently painted. It had an old-fashioned porch out front, with several rounded tables. Small black chairs were tucked neatly under them, and fresh, hardy flowers were growing all around the corners. He almost ran over there, being careful that no one saw him, and swung the door open. The little bells at the top of the door jingled, and the familiar smell of waffle cones and vanilla made him smile. Oh… the place was airconditioned. Delicious. He spotted Griffin, white smile and all, standing behind the counter, all the colourful ice creams aligned in front of him. He walked over to the counter and tossed a coin into Griffin’s hand. “Strawberry please.”
Griffin nodded, smiling again, and began scooping. Sorin rested his elbows on top of the glass counter, worn out from his walk. He had a couple of hours of work ahead of him. He worked here, at the ice cream shop. Had been for three months. He dropped out of school because of the bullying, but was only permitted to if he got a job to replace his school hours. What a thrill when he discovered that there was need of a new assistant in the ice cream shop, after Jerry moved away. He applied for the job immediately. Never would have gotten it though, without Griffin’s interference. He stood up for Sorin with the boss, Sam Johansson. During Sorin’s job interview, he sat there, in Mr Johansson’s office, gawking like a chicken. His only reply to the questions thrown at him were squeaky whispers and mumbles. His words were tripping over themselves, his tongue felt twisted in a knot. After an infuriating sigh by his interviewer, he was almost sent out of the room immediately. Lucky for him, at that moment, Griffin barged in with a couple of Sorin’s only friends behind him. They gave an inspiring verbal resume on his behalf. Made it hard for Johansson to say no. So, he said the opposite, and now Sorin had a job. Best one he could get, come to think of it, on such a hot day. Before he started work, he always bought an ice cream. The shop didn’t open till half past nine, so he still had at least ten minutes to eat. “How was your walk up here?” Griffin was asking now, handing the ice cream cone over to his friend. Sorin took it with a grateful smile and gave it a lick. “It was okay. I wish my house were further up the hill, so I wouldn’t have to walk so much though.” Another lick.
Griffin strode across to the back wall and picked up an apron hanging on a nail. He went back and handed it to Sorin. “Well, you’ll need this man. You should go to the back bathroom and wash your face. You look like you’ve just run a marathon.” He laughed, his curly afro shaking. Sorin gave an amused grin in return, and finished his ice cream in less than a minute. In comparison to Griffin’s dark features, Sorin looked extra pale. He noticed it when he went to the bathroom. Saw it in the mirror. The face of a withered looking boy. The lack of sunshine he received also contributed to his washed out look. He normally was indoors unless he was at home. He didn’t want anyone to see him, or he’d have to talk to people. And that, he was awful with. He rolled his eyes and washed his face for the third time, the cold water eagerly slipping through his fingertips. He wanted to stand there forever, feeling cool and content. Suddenly, a shout. “Sorin! Where are you man?” It was Griffin. Sorin jumped and looked at his watch, trying to ignore the way it drooped on his bony wrist. It was still too big for him, even fitted in the smallest hole. It was five past nine thirty. Where had he been? Time passed that fast? He must have been having a good time washing his face!
Cheeks turned red, his blue and purple veins even more visible. He tied on the apron and went running out of the bathroom. “Sorry Griff. I was thinking.” Sorin said, waited for Griffin’s approval smile, and eyed the line-up of customers waiting. He took a deep breath and went over to the counter, where a whale of a Woman stood on the other side. Her acrylic fingernails were tapping impatiently on a clipboard balancing on her hip. Seeing Sorin, she shook her head and raised a finger. “Jerry never had a problem being on time, but you’ve kept me waiting my boy.” She said sharply. “I want chocolate, three scoops, and make it quick.”
Sorin nodded, biting his lip. He recognised her as Mrs Coleman, the scariest lady he’d met. She always came into the shop every morning, but Griffin normally took care of her. Now, for the first time, he had to serve her. His hands started shaking nervously. He slowly opened the chilled glass slide and dipped the ice cream scooper in a cup of hot water. “You’re dripping hot water from that scooper all over my ice cream.” The lady complained. “Why are your hand shaking? You’re going to drop the ice cream all over me. That’s chocolate. It stains.”
Sorin got even more nervous. His hands shook worse, but he didn’t say anything. “You should quit your job and get a new one. One that requires you to work outside.” Mrs Coleman sneered. “Looks like you haven’t been in the sun for months.” Snide remarks kept coming. “You do know what I mean, don’t you?” She continued. “Or you might not, since you didn’t even finish your schooling. You’re pale.”
Sorin added the third and final chocolate scoop onto the cone, and watched the condensed vapor escape. He wished he could splat this into her face, but for the sake of not wasting ice cream, he didn’t. He swallowed down the temptation, and handed the cone to Mrs Coleman, who seemed very annoyed that Sorin hadn’t seemed affected by her words. One last try. “Your parents are mighty glad that you work now.” She said, seizing the cone from his meagre hand. “You’re out of the way, won’t cause a fuss, won’t try to prevent it.” She shook her head mockingly. “Ah well…” She turned to leave the shop, but Sorin found his voice. “I won’t try to prevent what?” He said, sounding too demanding for his like. Mrs Coleman stopped in her tracks. A smile was growing. “You know, the move.” She said, trying to sound casual.
“I already know about it.”
“Oh. You do then?”
“Yes. I found out yesterday.”
The podgy woman frowned. She had been hoping to shock him “Well fine.” She said with school-girl attitude. “So, I guess you know that you’re moving on Friday then? Your parents have been slowly packing during your work hours. They can’t believe you haven’t guessed. You’re rather thick I think.”
The last few words stung. His parents had been planning this for a while, behind his back. They were moving on Friday, and they tried to deceive him till the last minute. Why? Another angry throb against his heart. He wanted to run into the bathroom and hide there all day. Wanted to sink under the relentless fierceness of Mrs Coleman’s voice. But he didn’t. He just ignored her and turned to the customer waiting behind. He listened to the customer’s request, and watched as Mrs Coleman’s round face turned furious at being ignored, and stormed out in a fury.
The rest of the day had been completely ruined. When he finished his work shift for the day, he said hi to his replacer and stepped out of the ice cream shop. The heat hit him full in the face, and he noticed that it was extremely cloudy. That damp smell. It was going to rain. He automatically walked down the hill to his house, when he stopped. The last people he wanted to see were his parents. Why bother going home? It was only 2:30 after all, and there was plenty daylight yet. A horrid thought came. What if he didn’t go home till it was pitch black? His parents didn’t want him, he didn’t want them… being away would be beneficial for both parties. They wouldn’t worry about his whereabouts he supposed. He’d be fine. But what could he do? Where would he go? He could go to one of his friend’s houses, he guessed, but right now, all of them were at school.
He kept his head down. Didn’t look around. He watched his feet as he walked opposite from the hill that led to his house, passing the ice cream shop and the Doctor’s office, and coming round to the second half of town, where things were much greener. There was a big building coming up. To the left of him, there was Mancos Highschool. He stopped a moment, and stared at it. There was a wide lawn, with a white pathway stuck in the middle. It led right up to the school. A bricked building with wide blue doors and tinted windows, with faded green benches in front of it. Brought back unwanted memories. Being bullied and all, with only a handful of friends.
“Sorin!” A recognizable voice boomed through the air, “What are you doing here?”
A pleased grin extended across Sorin’s face. That voice. He turned to his right, where he saw a girl about his age standing there, wearing an interesting outfit. A collared, sleeveless top, with a pleated puffy skirt, designed with zigzags and colourful spots, and random objects, like bells and apples. She was carrying a book in one hand, with the name Melissa. O. Wiggins printed in giant gold letters at the front. It was Takara Toloni, one of his first friends he’d had since Kindergarten.
“Hello Takara.” Sorin said making eye contact. “I’m just going for a walk.”
Takara skipped to his side and laughed. “Yeah right. When do you ever go for a walk on your own? Something troubling you?” She gave him a friendly punch on the shoulder.
Sorin sighed. “Yes. Why aren’t you at school? Did you drop out too?”
Takara looked thoughtful. She shoved her book into Sorin’s hand, and bent down to pick up a stick. “I wish pal. But Mum wants me to stay till year twelve. Don’t you know how awful that is?” She shook her head, her black hair flying. “Lucky for me, I’ve been suspended for two weeks. I wish it was longer, but, oh well.”
Sorin’s eyebrows flew up. He looked down at the book Takara had given him, and exclaimed, “Suspended! Again?”
Takara shrugged. “Getting suspended comes natural to me. The teachers are so sensitive anyway.” She snapped the stick in two, and threw it onto the ground. “All I did was get into a measly fight with someone, and that’s it. Everyone gets all emotional, and I’m suspended.”
Sorin’s thoughts travelled back to the time he was still going to school. Grade nine class was sitting down for Math, everyone focusing on the difficult problems, when Takara suddenly decided to pour a bottle of water she had smuggled into class, down the neck of the girl that sat in front of her. The girl shrieked and jumped, and Takara burst out in one of her chortles that never ended. It hadn’t been the first time for her to disrupt everyone during class, so she was immediately suspended. He wondered why Takara did these things. They certainly weren’t apart of his nature.
Ghost Town (Part 2)(Izzi)
Chapter Two
Mancos, Colorado
July 2018
It was a scorching Wednesday morning. Sweat was trickling down Sorin’s back in thick drops like warm soup. He was walking slowly uphill, his little farmhouse quite a distance now. He stared at his feet, watching them move resistantly. He was on the long, steep road that separated his house from the main town. He’d walked this road every day for years. So used to it now it was almost easy. Except for today. Heat was weighing him down, and so was his misfortune. The news he’d received yesterday was a nasty shock. It was still processing in his jumbled mind. Brushing away a damp white strand of hair from his eyes, he turned back to scan the view. From his height, he could spot the mountains interrupting the town’s skyline. One of his favourite things about climbing up the road was those mountains. They were so distant, staying in their position for a lifetime. They looked like giant soldiers, all lined up to form a barrier from the outside world. It was a mystery, what was on the other side of those mountains. He’d have to find out one day if he could ever afford to. Sorin could also see Mancos river. It looked like a thin blue squiggle, and very out of place. He liked to imagine that someone took out a pen and scrawled across the picture that claimed to be this view. A silence, and then he turned and continued up the road. It would get hotter later, so before then, he had to get this annoying walk over with.
When Sorin reached the end of the rocky road, he found himself standing in the town. It was almost empty - a rarity - but it was welcome. There was the wide road, mostly rocks and dust, and then a couple of buildings. Several small clothing and grocery stores, a barber, a Doctor’s office, and a boat shop were the closest in view. There were lots more buildings further ahead, including houses, running a few more kilometres across. Then there was the ice cream shop. That place was almost like home to him. It was a decent sized place. Recently painted. It had an old-fashioned porch out front, with several rounded tables. Small black chairs were tucked neatly under them, and fresh, hardy flowers were growing all around the corners. He almost ran over there, being careful that no one saw him, and swung the door open. The little bells at the top of the door jingled, and the familiar smell of waffle cones and vanilla made him smile. Oh… the place was airconditioned. Delicious. He spotted Griffin, white smile and all, standing behind the counter, all the colourful ice creams aligned in front of him. He walked over to the counter and tossed a coin into Griffin’s hand. “Strawberry please.”
Griffin nodded, smiling again, and began scooping. Sorin rested his elbows on top of the glass counter, worn out from his walk. He had a couple of hours of work ahead of him. He worked here, at the ice cream shop. Had been for three months. He dropped out of school because of the bullying, but was only permitted to if he got a job to replace his school hours. What a thrill when he discovered that there was need of a new assistant in the ice cream shop, after Jerry moved away. He applied for the job immediately. Never would have gotten it though, without Griffin’s interference. He stood up for Sorin with the boss, Sam Johansson. During Sorin’s job interview, he sat there, in Mr Johansson’s office, gawking like a chicken. His only reply to the questions thrown at him were squeaky whispers and mumbles. His words were tripping over themselves, his tongue felt twisted in a knot. After an infuriating sigh by his interviewer, he was almost sent out of the room immediately. Lucky for him, at that moment, Griffin barged in with a couple of Sorin’s only friends behind him. They gave an inspiring verbal resume on his behalf. Made it hard for Johansson to say no. So, he said the opposite, and now Sorin had a job. Best one he could get, come to think of it, on such a hot day. Before he started work, he always bought an ice cream. The shop didn’t open till half past nine, so he still had at least ten minutes to eat. “How was your walk up here?” Griffin was asking now, handing the ice cream cone over to his friend. Sorin took it with a grateful smile and gave it a lick. “It was okay. I wish my house were further up the hill, so I wouldn’t have to walk so much though.” Another lick.
Griffin strode across to the back wall and picked up an apron hanging on a nail. He went back and handed it to Sorin. “Well, you’ll need this man. You should go to the back bathroom and wash your face. You look like you’ve just run a marathon.” He laughed, his curly afro shaking. Sorin gave an amused grin in return, and finished his ice cream in less than a minute. In comparison to Griffin’s dark features, Sorin looked extra pale. He noticed it when he went to the bathroom. Saw it in the mirror. The face of a withered looking boy. The lack of sunshine he received also contributed to his washed out look. He normally was indoors unless he was at home. He didn’t want anyone to see him, or he’d have to talk to people. And that, he was awful with. He rolled his eyes and washed his face for the third time, the cold water eagerly slipping through his fingertips. He wanted to stand there forever, feeling cool and content. Suddenly, a shout. “Sorin! Where are you man?” It was Griffin. Sorin jumped and looked at his watch, trying to ignore the way it drooped on his bony wrist. It was still too big for him, even fitted in the smallest hole. It was five past nine thirty. Where had he been? Time passed that fast? He must have been having a good time washing his face!
Cheeks turned red, his blue and purple veins even more visible. He tied on the apron and went running out of the bathroom. “Sorry Griff. I was thinking.” Sorin said, waited for Griffin’s approval smile, and eyed the line-up of customers waiting. He took a deep breath and went over to the counter, where a whale of a Woman stood on the other side. Her acrylic fingernails were tapping impatiently on a clipboard balancing on her hip. Seeing Sorin, she shook her head and raised a finger. “Jerry never had a problem being on time, but you’ve kept me waiting my boy.” She said sharply. “I want chocolate, three scoops, and make it quick.”
Sorin nodded, biting his lip. He recognised her as Mrs Coleman, the scariest lady he’d met. She always came into the shop every morning, but Griffin normally took care of her. Now, for the first time, he had to serve her. His hands started shaking nervously. He slowly opened the chilled glass slide and dipped the ice cream scooper in a cup of hot water. “You’re dripping hot water from that scooper all over my ice cream.” The lady complained. “Why are your hand shaking? You’re going to drop the ice cream all over me. That’s chocolate. It stains.”
Sorin got even more nervous. His hands shook worse, but he didn’t say anything. “You should quit your job and get a new one. One that requires you to work outside.” Mrs Coleman sneered. “Looks like you haven’t been in the sun for months.” Snide remarks kept coming. “You do know what I mean, don’t you?” She continued. “Or you might not, since you didn’t even finish your schooling. You’re pale.”
Sorin added the third and final chocolate scoop onto the cone, and watched the condensed vapor escape. He wished he could splat this into her face, but for the sake of not wasting ice cream, he didn’t. He swallowed down the temptation, and handed the cone to Mrs Coleman, who seemed very annoyed that Sorin hadn’t seemed affected by her words. One last try. “Your parents are mighty glad that you work now.” She said, seizing the cone from his meagre hand. “You’re out of the way, won’t cause a fuss, won’t try to prevent it.” She shook her head mockingly. “Ah well…” She turned to leave the shop, but Sorin found his voice. “I won’t try to prevent what?” He said, sounding too demanding for his like. Mrs Coleman stopped in her tracks. A smile was growing. “You know, the move.” She said, trying to sound casual.
“I already know about it.”
“Oh. You do then?”
“Yes. I found out yesterday.”
The podgy woman frowned. She had been hoping to shock him “Well fine.” She said with school-girl attitude. “So, I guess you know that you’re moving on Friday then? Your parents have been slowly packing during your work hours. They can’t believe you haven’t guessed. You’re rather thick I think.”
The last few words stung. His parents had been planning this for a while, behind his back. They were moving on Friday, and they tried to deceive him till the last minute. Why? Another angry throb against his heart. He wanted to run into the bathroom and hide there all day. Wanted to sink under the relentless fierceness of Mrs Coleman’s voice. But he didn’t. He just ignored her and turned to the customer waiting behind. He listened to the customer’s request, and watched as Mrs Coleman’s round face turned furious at being ignored, and stormed out in a fury.
The rest of the day had been completely ruined. When he finished his work shift for the day, he said hi to his replacer and stepped out of the ice cream shop. The heat hit him full in the face, and he noticed that it was extremely cloudy. That damp smell. It was going to rain. He automatically walked down the hill to his house, when he stopped. The last people he wanted to see were his parents. Why bother going home? It was only 2:30 after all, and there was plenty daylight yet. A horrid thought came. What if he didn’t go home till it was pitch black? His parents didn’t want him, he didn’t want them… being away would be beneficial for both parties. They wouldn’t worry about his whereabouts he supposed. He’d be fine. But what could he do? Where would he go? He could go to one of his friend’s houses, he guessed, but right now, all of them were at school.
He kept his head down. Didn’t look around. He watched his feet as he walked opposite from the hill that led to his house, passing the ice cream shop and the Doctor’s office, and coming round to the second half of town, where things were much greener. There was a big building coming up. To the left of him, there was Mancos Highschool. He stopped a moment, and stared at it. There was a wide lawn, with a white pathway stuck in the middle. It led right up to the school. A bricked building with wide blue doors and tinted windows, with faded green benches in front of it. Brought back unwanted memories. Being bullied and all, with only a handful of friends.
“Sorin!” A recognizable voice boomed through the air, “What are you doing here?”
A pleased grin extended across Sorin’s face. That voice. He turned to his right, where he saw a girl about his age standing there, wearing an interesting outfit. A collared, sleeveless top, with a pleated puffy skirt, designed with zigzags and colourful spots, and random objects, like bells and apples. She was carrying a book in one hand, with the name Melissa. O. Wiggins printed in giant gold letters at the front. It was Takara Toloni, one of his first friends he’d had since Kindergarten.
“Hello Takara.” Sorin said making eye contact. “I’m just going for a walk.”
Takara skipped to his side and laughed. “Yeah right. When do you ever go for a walk on your own? Something troubling you?” She gave him a friendly punch on the shoulder.
Sorin sighed. “Yes. Why aren’t you at school? Did you drop out too?”
Takara looked thoughtful. She shoved her book into Sorin’s hand, and bent down to pick up a stick. “I wish pal. But Mum wants me to stay till year twelve. Don’t you know how awful that is?” She shook her head, her black hair flying. “Lucky for me, I’ve been suspended for two weeks. I wish it was longer, but, oh well.”
Sorin’s eyebrows flew up. He looked down at the book Takara had given him, and exclaimed, “Suspended! Again?”
Takara shrugged. “Getting suspended comes natural to me. The teachers are so sensitive anyway.” She snapped the stick in two, and threw it onto the ground. “All I did was get into a measly fight with someone, and that’s it. Everyone gets all emotional, and I’m suspended.”
Sorin’s thoughts travelled back to the time he was still going to school. Grade nine class was sitting down for Math, everyone focusing on the difficult problems, when Takara suddenly decided to pour a bottle of water she had smuggled into class, down the neck of the girl that sat in front of her. The girl shrieked and jumped, and Takara burst out in one of her chortles that never ended. It hadn’t been the first time for her to disrupt everyone during class, so she was immediately suspended. He wondered why Takara did these things. They certainly weren’t apart of his nature.
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