Part 2 of the Sun Seeker

Lyric follows his mother around, trying to make her laugh but her biggest reaction is her eyes get wide then they return to their natural sad state. She has been moping around with blank stares on her face all day. His father was drafted to join the army, Lyric looks down and plays along like he is making her feel better, but once he thinks about his father he understands how she must truly be feeling.

They arrive at their cabin and he stands on the steps, looking into the murky swamp water. His reflection is there for a second until a crocodile pops its head through. Lyric smiles and throws it a piece of meat that they keep on the veranda in a jar. It was common to feed the crocodiles in the Dark Lands, those were some of the only animals that the people had. You had to take care of your home. A lot of the people there took them in as pets. This one in particular he had not seen around, claimed by anyone in the village. He scanned him for some form of markings, saying that he belonged to someone already. The glowing colour of its eyes was like a flashlight, it reminded him of himself and how the light within him always shined. He smiled. “I think I will call you Aduro.” It was the Latin word for light. A common name in the village. Lyric smiled as Aduro splashed his tale in the water, apparently he liked him too. It felt great that he could have someone to talk to, other than his parents. They were all he had because he had no friends. No one in the village wanted to be his friend. All of the children ignored him or would even take a second look at him he was too different and different was not good in the Dark Lands. Every one was to be the same, and support their village by being the same continuing and carving the same path their parents started only deeper believing in hope for a change.

Lyric sighed and walked into his cabin. His father was getting ready to depart to the army, and his mother was preparing a big dinner. She had been saying how she didn’t want him to leave them without having one more of her dinners. Lyric looked from his father’s packed bags to his mother back to his father. He knew when his father leaves there will be even more shadow. The light in the house would fade as soon as he departed. It was not fair that he was drafted, and was to be leaving soon. Lyric had only just begun to bond over working in the welding lodge together, he didn't see his father much when he was a child because he worked 14 hours a day just to bring food and clothing to the house. Since Lyric became of age to work, last year, he was very excited. He could learn more about his father and have long conversations about the village. He was frustrated that he would have to work alone and a part of him was now going to be missing. He sighed heavily and walked over to table to help his mother set the dishes down. She brought food in and out the kitchen. She had prepared some of everything. His father walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table. Lyric sat plates on the table silently and studied his father’s facial expressions. There was a mixture of discuss, regret, and sadness. His father's eyes darted nervously and leg wouldn't stop shaking. He remember the conversation that him and his father had earlier. "I am so sorry son, but you have to be strong for your mother. Be there for here, and make her the happiest you can because i cannot." Lyric twirled his fingers through his hair nervously. His palms were wet almost enough moisture that it could be mistaken for him washing his hands. "You are the man of the house" His father continued they both looked down at the steps of the lodge. "You should change your shifts to six hours, that way you can check on your mother and spend more time with her." Lyric"s eyes grew wide,"But dad what about making money?" "Don't worry about that, your grandmother is moving in to help out with the money, and you guys can have lots of fun together." He tried to sound very happy and vibrant, but the "joy" in his voice only sounded like a rusted bell trying to be played like it's old self. Lyric nodded. "Okay dad, i will do everything you ask of me if only you promise me something. His dad stared into his eyes."Yes son?" "Promise me you will come home safely, and not put a bigger hole in mom's heart." His father's eyes got watery. "Son I will do everything I can to make that happen, but you and I both know I cannot guarantee that will happen." Lyric through his arms around his father and sobbed. "Please dad put all of your effort and hard work into that, do not leave us here to be without you." His father patted his son calmly on the back of the head. "Son you have a deal." He sat down across from his father. He smiled trying to lighten the mood. “Lyric don’t start that.” His mother snapped. She was not in the mood for laughing. “This is not an appropriate time for that.” Lyric leaned his back against the back of the chair while his smiled faded away from his face. “Sorry mom.” He hung his head low. It made her upset thinking about the fact that he might leave too. As the chosen one, one day he would find the sun. His mother and father put so much faith in him; although, the village laughed and only mocked the idea.