79 Peaceful Beginnings (1/2)
”Chilong! Come back!”
”Don't worry I will catch him.”
A boy no older than ten ran up to the child and lifted him up in the air. The younger boy struggled for a while before giving up. The older boy carried the younger on his shoulders as he walked over to the young woman. He had large eyes and long eyelashes making him almost feminine. If it wasn't for his outfit, nobody would be able to tell.
”Mom. I caught him.”
The woman affectionately rubbed the older boy on the head and grabbed the younger boy.
”Chitian, go and collect some herbs in the forest.”
Chitian dashed into the underbrush in search for food, leaving his mother and younger brother alone in the small cottage in the forest. This is the tragic story of a family destroyed by misfortune.
”Hah...Chilong. What do I do with you...?”
The child in her hand flinched, slightly shaking. He avoided eye contact and tried to play it off. The woman closed her eyes and poked him on the cheek. She seem to enjoy doing so much to the dismay of the child.
”ehehehe...this never gets old.”
The woman placed her child down on the chair and turned her attention to a book that was half opened on the table. She looked over it and closed it putting it back on the shelf. After a short while, Chitian returned with a basket in hand filled to the brim with herbs and forest fruits. She stared at the assortment of herbs in the basket and thought for a moment.
”This should do.”
She stretched her hands and stared outside the window. She closed her eyes listening to the sounds of the forest before opening them up again.
”Just one final thing.”
A bow materialized in her dainty hands and she pulled the bowstring. She shut one eye and released the bowstring. An arrow manifested in the air and pierced through the air narrowly missing a couple trees. A small squeak could be heard in the distance.
”Go fetch it.”
Chitian already exhausted drank a cup of water before dashing out once again. Chilong slowly fell off the chair and climbed up onto the window sill.
”Mother, what are we eating?”
The woman smiled at her child and poked his chin once again.
”Your favorite food, rabbit.”
The boy's eyes lit up and waddled over to the bucket to clean the dirt off his hands. Chitian returned with a decently large rabbit held by the ear. The woman took out a large knife and skinned the rabbit within an instant. A single cut was enough to gut the animal. She placed the whole thing inside a pot and filled it half with water and dumped the herbs in it. She lightly seasoned it before she placed it on the stove. A small flame appeared on the tip of her finger as she lightly touched it against the wood making it burst to flames. Steam filled the room as Chilong watched the flames intently.
”Is it done?”
The woman shook her head patting the boy on the head.
”Soon...very soon.”
The woman walked over to another room leaving the siblings alone in the kitchen. Had the walls been thinner, they would have heard the loud coughing in the other room. The woman returned immediately washing her hands in the bucket. The water inside turned slightly pink before the dirt on the bottom got mixed in covering it all. Chitian ran up to his mother holding her still.
”Mother are yo...”
”shh.”
The woman placed her pale finger to the lips of the boy. She had a subtle pained expression on her face. Her eyes shifted to the younger child who was still staring in the flames before looking to Chitian. Chitian did not say anything more before nodding.
*Szz*
The meat started to sizzle as the little amounts of fats started to render. The sauce was reduced to the consistency of a paste. The woman quickly took the pot off the flames before placing it on the table. She broke a piece of the leg and fed it to Chilong. Chilong willingly ate it without worry for the world. At her child's joy, she felt the same happiness. Chitian broke a piece himself and chewed thoroughly. He was the first to finish and poured the contents of the pot into a plate before washing the pot. His mother looked at him approvingly before continuing to feed her child.
Chitian walked outside and stretched a bit. He stared at the sky while practicing his punching technique. His long hair fluttered in the wind accentuating his androgynous features. A spectral image of an animal's paw overlaid his fists as he punched forwards. He kicked the air and crushed a tree nearby. The image retreated back into his body as he saw his mother coming out of the house. She waved over to tell him to come over.
”Chitian...your hair is becoming too long. Come let me cut it.”
Chitian stroked his long hair with disinterest.