12 Franklins Mysterious Dreams (1/2)

A spooky voice flows from the shifting shadows, ”Franklin! Franklin, do you truly wish to be strong?”

A young boy with disheveled hair was shocked by this voice. In fear, he ran towards his house for safety. Franklin was amid his old town. He often remembered the happy days before the war there.

It often turned into a nightmare as his mind drifted to when he'd learned of the death of his father. Then to the fires that engulfed the town as they fled. The screaming voices paralyzing his soul.

As Franklin was about to reach the door a large bush blocked his path. ”Is this all your bold words amount to.” A booming voice shook Franklin mind. How could this young boy stand up to John; he has a cultivation of seed coalescing and a hundred years of experience.

Fires enveloped the town a shaking the crying boy huddled in the middle of the street. ”MOOMMY!”

”The Fires of the past will consume you. Will you let everything flow through your fingers?” asked a voice that came from every direction.

”Franklin hold on.” A female voice pierced the scene and a woman coddled the young man as the world became hazy and faded away.

John returned to himself with a shake of his leaves. ”Well, that could have gone better.” Joe the demonic bull opened his droopy eyes and snorted at the bush.

”What? This was the first attempt he's just scared he'll come around.” John said trying to look sagely by extending his branches making him look taller. Joe couldn't be bothered with this nonsense and returned to his sleep.

John had more growth in the short time of spring then he had all the previous year. He was now flush with branches with lush green foliage. ”If there were any female bushes around they'd be all over me.” John speculated. He had begun to give off a slight glow as energy flowed through him making him look extra healthy.

That day Franklin was a bit frazzled and didn't leave the hovel he was staying in. Laurel came over to see what was wrong but was shooed away by Anna. The day flowed by and soon the sun had set again.

Even though he was scared and didn't want to sleep his eyes soon drooped. He was a young boy with no cultivation after all; how long could he manage to stay up for? Again he was in his old hometown he shivered as he prepared for another nightmare.

As the dream solidified Franklin jumped back, ”Ahh,” almost casting him out of his dream! There was an old man in the center that was staring right at him. He had deep eyes that looked as if they had seen ages gone by.

”Well, here we are again.” The old man snorted. ”Are you going to run and cry for your mother again?”

Franklin trips as he back away from the old man falling on his bottom. ”Who are you?” he asked with a trembling voice.

”Ha, I overheard you bragging to that little lady about how you were going to be strong.” John smiled slyly while shaking his head. ”Never did I think that the big strong boy would instantly cry for his mommy when I just came for a visit.”

Franklin's eyes nearly bulged out of his head ”How did you know?”

John couldn't hold it in anymore and started laughing with tears coming out of his eyes.