RotW&AotS Issue #2



The following is a work of fiction. All characters, names and incidents contained herein are fictional and any resemblance to actual persons alive or dead are purely coincidental.

All Characters are created by the author.

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The Shadows over Hammer Head Cove



Two



Takeru had woken early. He left his brother Hinata asleep in the bed a few feet from his own - shifting the single white sheet to cover his bare left foot as it stuck out over the edge. He showered - lazily soaping his morning wood with little intention or inclination to do anything other than simply enjoy the feeling of his lathered fingers gliding over his hard shaft. Rather than looking through his dresser he instead dressed in the closest items to hand by raking through his laundry hamper - a creased white tank top that exposed his deeply tanned arms and shoulders and a pair of light gray cotton shorts that cut off just above his knee. He abandoned the idea of underwear and free balled down the stairs - chuckling at the sight, in the mirror at their foot, of his semi hard young cock bouncing in the shorts.

He poured himself a coffee from the filter coffee-mate his mother prepared every night before bed - added two teaspoons of honey and a splash of milk and stepped out of the back door and into the backyard. He scanned the ground, a storey beneath his bedroom window, for any sight of his favourite yellow t-shirt. He scoured the bushes of his mother’s Nandina - parting the leafy pink and green foliage. In bare feet he circled the pool and doubled back to walk the length of the high varnished wooden fence that separated his garden from his neighbours. His t-shirt, as far as Takeru was concerned, had not simply fallen into the garden from his window ledge.

Walking back into the kitchen he kissed his mother on the cheek and declined a breakfast - claiming he’d pick something up in town on his way to his non-existent job. In the living room, he greeted his father by jumping on his back and throwing him into a headlock, wrapping his young legs around his father’s midriff. Dr Ichihara Yuya, a slender man with a concealed physical strength, responded by flipping his son onto the couch and tickling his ribs and under his arms until Takeru cried “Uncle” in submission. Paying no attention to the cries for mercy, Dr Ichihara Yuya would have continued tickling his son until he had peed himself had his wife not walked in and begun her own assault on her husband. While Takeru escaped from the couch he watched smiling as his father swept his mother up into his arms and kissed her lips. The battle was over and Takeru had only escaped due to the cavalry arriving from the flank. Out of breath and with his cheeks sore from laughing they said their goodbyes as his father left for work at the Rick’s Observatory.

Kissing his mother’s cheek, Takeru slipped his naked feet into a pair of beaten-up blue Vans - grabbed his skateboard from the porch and set off toward the centre of town.

Within half an hour - carrying his board through the quiet town centre, Takeru felt his skin prickle in the heat of the sun. It was only ten o’clock in the morning and the raw heat of the day was already baking the side walk. Few people were on the streets - a car or two moving from the large market as people collected groceries before the town became busy - a man walking his two black labradors on red and blue leashes... He watched a mother pull her crying toddler from the car before scooping the little girl up into her arms and gently rocking her - whispering words of encouragement and handing her half of a bar of chocolate from her bag. The little girl stopped howling and gladly began to tear at the packaging. Having not eaten since last night Takeru’s ever hungry stomach grumbled at the sight of food.

The bell above the door of Pappa John's Groceries and Shake Shack rang out as the boy entered – seeking solace from the summer heat. He grabbed a magazine from a rack and sidled up to the milkshake bar – seating himself on one of the brown plastic stools. The air circulating from the desk fan behind the counter cooled him as he fanned himself with the neck of his white tank top. He looked around the small cramped shop for someone to talk to but he appeared to be there on his own.

It wasn't until the bamboo curtain rustled and Pappa John, coughing, emerged in a large puff of smoke from the back room. Wrapped in one of his signature tie-dyed T-shirts – his grey beard spilling out over the top – the old man adjusted his small metal rimmed glasses and squinted at the boy sitting at the bar while scratching the grey bristles on his cheek.

Hey there Takeru.” he growled with a grin. “What's the haps little brother?”

Not much John. Just wanted to get out of the heat for a little while. Maybe get a shake.” Takeru grabbed a red liquorice straw from the gratis tub and chewed off the end - the sweet aniseed flavour biting at his tongue.

I certainly think we can oblige you there. What takes your fancy?” Pappa John pulled out a large shining steel jug from under the counter and began filling it with soft vanilla ice cream from the spout of the over-sized red, white and chrome machine by the door to the back room.

Raspberry and white chocolate would be good.”

You young sir,” said Pappa John as he opened a fridge and began pouring frozen raspberries and a little milk into jug with the ice cream, “are a man of fine taste. How come you're not on the waves today?”

Ahhh, I turned turtle on an eight footer last week! Guillotined my best board. Time for a new one but cash isn't exactly flowing free at the moment.”

Takeru smiled at the older man and watched intently as he popped the jug under the blender and set the whisk in motion. The loud whirring from the decade old machine filled the shop and Takeru would not have been surprised if you could hear it from outside the store. Pappa John was trying to talk but Takeru could barely make out his words over the sound of steel buzzing against steel.

Sorry man, I couldn't hear you.” said Takeru as Pappa John pulled the jug out from under the blender and began to pour white chocolate sauce into the mix.

I was saying that your mother came into the store a couple of days ago. Told me your were working. Clearing rocks up at the Mackintosh farm in the mornings for the summer.”

Oh!” Takeru flushed red. “Well about that...”

It's OK man. I'm not gonna nark you out to your old lady.” John smiled and put the jug back under the blender. Another quick and noisy whirl before he pulled the jug free - disconnected the blender blades and threw them into the sink behind the counter. “I get that you don't wanna waste your summer working. Man. If my old girl weren't running the show do you think I'd be here right now?” He laughed and pulled out a long stemmed pint glass from the fridge – poured in some raspberry syrup at the bottom then followed it up with the pink fluffy mixture from the jug. “If I had the opportunity I'd still be on that beach or up in the mountains everyday little brother.” He poured a little more syrup over the top of the milk shake and shook a can of white chocolate flakes over that. “But you want nice things you gotta pay for them.” He slid the shake over to Takeru and popped in a couple of straws. “And if you gotta pay for stuff you gotta get a job.”

As Takeru reached into his pocket to hand over a five dollar bill Pappa John waved his hands. “Not this one though. This one you can have on me.” he said smiling at the boy. “You save your money to replace your board.”

Thanks man!” said Takeru smiling and popping a straw between his lips. He took a long pull of the milkshake - the ice cold thick sugary liquid immediately cooled his body - goose-flesh dimpled his arms and chest.

So you have a plan for today?” asked John as he wiped down the counter before running the blender blades under the fawcet - wiping at the sticky pink mixture that clung to them with big strong looking hands.

No plan. Skate. Eat. Sleep. Repeat.”

Pappa John laughed as he put the blender blades onto the drying rack: “Sounds like more than enough of a plan to me little brother. But you know,” started the old man rubbing at his large round belly as he spoke, “if you need a summer job, the old girl and I have a few things that need doing around here. She and I like to spend some of the summer birdwatching on the North of the Island, so we could use the cover to keep the shop open. You wouldn’t have to do nothing big; help re-stock, maybe fix a couple of odd and ends, mind the store a few afternoons or mornings a week...”

Takeru grabbed at his forehead - too long a pull of the milkshake too fast and he had given himself brain-freeze - that sharp but fleeting stab of pain all too familiar to boys around the world: “It’s not that I wouldn’t like working for you and Mrs Kirk but I’d rather not work at all. Not this summer at least.”

John laughed at the boys honesty and grabbed himself a stick of the red liquorice from the jar on the counter. “Fair play, fair play. But if you change your mind you know where we are.”

Pay me with a year's worth of these and I might consider it.” said Takeru with a smile as he slurped up the last of the milkshake through the straw.

His stomach full and sloshing with ice cream and milk Takeru stood back out on the street - squinting his eyes under the sharp rays of the sun. He threw his board to the side walk and stepped on it with his right foot before pushing off with his left then letting it come to rest on the back of the board.

He rode through the town - skipping from side walk to road. He wasn’t sure of the impulse that had forced him out his bed so early - that had made him bid a quick farewell to his mother and father without eating breakfast and that had pushed him to head into the town.

Playing through his mind from the moment he woke up was the feeling of uneasiness that had weighed on him at times the previous day: the feeling that he was being watched in the meadow just outside of town - again as he was entering his house - and despite Hinata blowing off the noise from their bedroom, the previous night, as a bird having flown in and out again through the open window - the unease he felt wouldn’t correlate with his brothers thinking. The nerve he was struggling with building up was the same one that would send him back to the meadow that afternoon to repeat the same action that had become ritual for him for the first three weeks of Summer.

As he rode on, the sound of plastic wheels rolling over the side walk filling his ears, he noticed a figure a few metres ahead of him in an orange hi-vis vest over a pale blue T-shirt. Large black plastic bag in hand and long stemmed litter picker in the other - Takeru didn’t recognise him at first - but as he drew closer, the mop of dark curls and fine masculine features sharpened in his sight.

Yo!” called out Takeru - jumping from his board and flipping it up into his waiting hand. “Yo! Doyler!”

Takeru ran with his board under his arm and slapped a hand on the boy’s back as Doyler turned and pulled the buds from his ears. He smiled softly at Takeru and fixed him with his bright blue eyes: “Hey Taki!” His voice was soft yet sombre - in it, the pleasure of seeing a familiar face but something else that Takeru had heard in there since the boy's parents had died eighteen months previous. Something that had only burrowed deeper when the boy’s boyfriend, Jamie, had died six months later.

Dude! What’s with the community service?” Takeru asked, pulling at the back of the day-glo vest.

That’s what it is.” scowled Doyler as he furrowed his brow.

This for stealing that truck with that tourist kid?”

We didn’t steal it! We... borrowed it?” Doyler sounded less than confident stating his own defence.

How much longer do you have being a Womble?”

Doyler thought about the slightly sinister stop motion British kids TV show he’d seen on PBS when he was little - the furry little Wombles of Wimbledon Common collecting the trash discarded by humans and put to good use by them: “Til the end of summer. Not gonna complain though. To be honest I’m getting off pretty lightly.”

Takeru dropped his board to the side walk and threw his arms in the air - exposing to Doyler the small but thick bushes of glistening black curls in each pit: “FREE THE HALPIN HOPE ONE! FREE THE HALPIN HOPE ONE! FREE THE HALPIN HOPE ONE!” he chanted - bouncing up and down on his toes.

Doyler smiled. He’d always liked Takeru, and his brother Hinata, but hanging out in different social circles - Takeru and Hinata with the surfers and skaters - Doyler with his ragbag collection of friends - they only knew each other casually, their paths only crossing at lunch periods or parties. At one such party last November a drunken Takeru confessed to Doyler that he found him attractive. Doyler thanked him and returned the compliment. After a brief moment of silence while that shared knowledge hung in the air between them, crackling like electricity, the two boys then went on to spend the rest of the night in deep conversation about music and books and films that they liked. Not another word of their mutual attraction uttered by either.

You know though, dude,” began Takeru lowering his arms and smiling at Doyler, “you’re a fucking hero to the kids of this town for running off with that truck.” Takeru rested an arm on Doyler’s shoulder. “A hero!”

Hardly. I jacked a truck and left a guard alone in the woods. He didn’t get back to the farm til day break.”

Takeru smiled - letting out a brief snort of laughter from his nose that made Doyler smile in turn.

It’s not funny man!” said Doyler as he fought against the corners of his lips turning upward into a smile. “Gary got lost in the woods. They only realised he was missing when someone reported the truck sitting open on the street the next morning.”

The boys both broke down laughing hard at the thought of Gary Paskowitz walking lost and alone - quietly fuming - not so quietly ranting in the Wrackham Wood in the middle of the night - not getting back to the security office at the Baxter Brothers farm until well after daybreak.

As their laughter died down - the two boys breathed and smiled at one another - Takeru’s dark brown eyes caught and held Doyler’s ocean blues for a beat longer than felt natural. A familiar spark in the air - a familiar moment of silence.

Hey!” Takeru began. “What time do you finish up Womble duty?”

Doyler looked at his watch - nearly mid-day. “I’m supposed to be out here til four then I’ve got to go and report to the deputy’s office.”

No one coming out to make sure you’re not just hiding behind some bush tossing out some photocopies?”

Doyler smiled at the suggestion: “Not since half way through the second week. I think they got bored checking on me.”

You wanna hang out?” asked Takeru - an eyebrow raised conspiratorially. “If they’re not checking up on you we can… you know… take off.”

Doyler sighed - wondered why he found himself always so easily led astray by a handsome young face. “I dunno man. I’m in enough shit as it is. If my brother, Colton, found out...”

Dude! You’re fifteen! You’re supposed to get in trouble with responsible guardians! Come on man,” Takeru gently poked Doyler in the ribs with his forefingers. “Just for today! One afternoon in the whole of summer. What’s the worst that could happen to you?”

That’s how these things start you know? It’s all a ‘What’s the worst that could happen?’ and then there’s cute boys with scars who turn out to be drug mules or strange cults and formless nightmare monsters from beyond the void!”

Huh?”

Nothing.” Doyler looked again at his watch - at the relatively litter free street - and then up toward the bright clear blue sky before letting slip a defeated sigh. Pulling off his hi-vis vest and tossing it into the trash bag he gave Takeru his most apathetic smile. “I’m gonna do it anyway. Go with you I mean. So there’s no point in pretending to put up a fight.”

As they walked away from the town centre, one boy with his skateboard under his arm the other with a trash bag in hand, Takeru threw his arm over Doyler’s shoulder and told him all about the previous day. He went into more detail than Doyler needed to hear but was mindful of missing out the fun he had shared with his twin. Even Takeru with his devil may care slant on most things knew that some of those things were best kept between brothers. He didn’t hide that he was masturbating in the field or that he had stood naked and hard for the world to see while trying to find the spy. He didn’t hide that he and his brother were wrestling while only wearing towels when the noise from upstairs broke them apart or that on entering his room he had found his sweat and cum covered T-Shirt was missing. He didn’t hide these things partly because they were the facts - plainly stated and true - but he also didn’t hide them because he wanted to see Doyler’s reaction. He wanted Doyler to picture him lying naked with his stiff young prick in has hand - his cum spattered firm chest and flat belly drying in the sun. He wanted Doyler to picture him and his brother wrestling - nearly naked in their living room - their hard warm freshly showered bodies pressed together. He wanted Doyler to imagine these things and out of curiosity he wanted to see his reaction.

Doyler’s reaction was only ever going to be typical by his standards - he remained interested and concerned but his face flushed red at the details and Takeru paid particular attention when Doyler shifted the trash bag from his side to cover the front of his shorts none too discreetly. Not unnoticed - but thankfully for Doyler - unmentioned.

At the Welcome sign to the town - just next to the small duck pond and the weeping willow tree, whose branches and leaves dangled forlornly just above the water’s surface, the boys came to a halt and surveyed the warm golden meadows of deep Feather Reed grass on either side of them. Takeru quickly climbed the tree and stashed his skateboard in the same spot he had been hiding it for the last few weeks - he beckoned to Doyler who handed him his black plastic bag of rubbish and concealed it there too.

They walked the short distance and stood at the railing - Takeru removing his white tank top and using it to wipe the sweat from his chest and shoulders.

So this is what you’ve been doing all summer?” asked Doyler.

Not all summer but you know… urges need a quiet place to play themselves out.” Takeru mimicked jerking off in the air. “Come on. I’ll show you where I was.”

As Takeru led Doyler through the grass - Doyler enjoyed the tickling of the long soft blades against his bare legs and for a moment came to understand why Takeru did what he did out here. It was quiet, secluded and there was a certain sensuality about the meadow as the golden stems caressed his bare skin.

When Takeru came to a stop - Doyler sidled up next to him and followed the boy’s gaze. The grass where they were standing was flattened into the rough uneven shape of an angel. Broad wings and flowing skirt - the head was ill defined but Doyler could see the shape well enough.

Worst. Aliens. Ever!” Doyler dead panned.

Takeru laughed at the amateur crop circle he had made the day before and lay down on the ground - finding the shape still fit. “So I’m not gonna be making intricate designs and scaring any farmers anytime soon.”

Doyler sat cross legged in the grass beside him: “So you were here… er…”

Shaking hands with the devil.” offered Takeru turning his head and smiling at Doyler.

Doing your thing.”

Takeru waved off Doyler dismissively, “The act itself is poetry. So should the words you use to describe it.”

I’m not so sure jerking off can be called great literature.”

Then you’re not doing right. Maybe I should give classes.” Takeru raised his eyebrow suggestively.

Doyler’s cheeks flushed red. “So you were here… Dating Mrs, Palm and her five daughters…”

Takeru laughed: “Now you’re getting there.”

And you heard a noise?”

Yeah.”

Did you go in the direction of the noise?”

Fuck no! Dude! Naked and covered in my own splooge? If I’m gonna die that’s not how I want to be found. Although in fairness the amount of time I spend naked and covered in… well… the odds aren’t in my favour.”

Yeah. Maybe you should do something about that. Maybe less time spent flogging the eggman… Anyway. Lying down. Noise. What direction?”

Takeru sat up and pointed North. “Over there. I hung around for a bit and called out to see if anyone would respond. They didn’t. I got dressed and went back to my board. But it wasn’t just that. I could put that down to some animal or bird or whatever... But for the rest of the day it felt like I was being watched. Like I was being followed. And then in the house last night…”

Which you said was a bird.”

Which my brother said was a bird. How many birds you know that fly off with T-shirts in their beaks.”

Doyler thought for a moment, “OK!” he said standing up. “Come on then.”

Doyler held out a hand, that Takeru took in his own, and hauled himself up from the ground. Holding on to one another's hand a moment longer than was strictly necessarily both boys blushed and broke away at the same time.

They walked a short distance apart as they headed toward the direction that Takeru had heard the noise the previous day. It didn’t take long before Doyler spotted an oval indentation in the grass. They looked at each other quizzically and then back in the direction that they had come from.

Go and sit in the spot that I was in.”

Doyler sprang back to the grass angel and lay down where Takeru had been. He looked over in Takeru’s direction but couldn’t make out his friend through the blades of grass. “I can’t see you.”

I can see you though!” called out Takeru. “Barely but I can just about make you out. Make out that you’re holding the sausage hostage.”

What?”

Make out that you’re jerking it!”

Why?” questioned Doyler sitting up.

Just do it!”

As Doyler put his hand above the slight bulge in his shorts and feigned the motion, not uncommon to every male from his teens through to his dying day, his elbow caught the blades of grass - swishing them from side to side and giving Takeru a better view of the boy lying on the ground. That settled it for Takeru. As far as he was concerned he was victim to a peeping tom. Though the thought crossed his mind that if he was being an exhibitionist could he be called a victim? He decided it best not get caught up in the semantics of the situation until he had discovered who had been watching him - how long they had been watching him and why. He stood - as Doyler did and the two boys looked at each other before simultaneously casting their eyes a little further down the meadow. “What do you reckon the distance is? Ten… twelve metres?”

If that!” stated Doyler trying to measure, by sight, along the tops of the grass.

A small distance from them the grass shifted - a slight rustle and sway. Doyler noticed it first - his heart leapt into his mouth as his body stood motionless. Something was in the meadow with them. Something unseen and close by. Something only betrayed by the vegetation it was using as cover to hide itself from the boy’s view. Doyler held his finger to his lips and then pointed at the spot of gently swaying grass. Takeru nodded and slowly stepped forward.

As both boys inched towards the direction of the fluctuating grass they tried to remain silent. Their lips tight - their motions measured and deliberate. Step by step they crept forward - only pausing to catch each other’s eye as the patch shifted again - more violently. Both boys were suddenly aware of the fact that they were alone out in the meadow. That few people used this road - and those that did, Takeru’s father included, had already travelled it earlier that morning - unlikely to pass by again until after the sun had set. If something happened to either of us, Doyler thought, we’re too far from town for anyone to hear a call for help.

Takeru bit his bottom lip and breathed in - deep. He tucked his white tank top into the back of his shorts like a tail and puffed out his bare chest - his eyes ever focused on the moving patch of grass.

Less than a metre away from the shadow in the grass - Takeru sprang from his feet - launching himself into the air towards the ground. The thing in the grass took flight and bolted in a straight line away from the boys - it seemed unnaturally fast - preternaturally agile - as it suddenly turned a hard left then right creating a zigzag pattern in the foliage. While Takeru was picking himself up Doyler gave chase - following the line of rippling grass - forward. Breathing heavily he could hear Takeru catch up behind him until the two boys were running at full speed side by side - closing the distance between them and the thing that had been watching them.

With only a couple of feet between them and it - they could make out a shadow; heavy looking - stout, large and running on four legs. Both boys - without a word uttered or signal given - leapt at the same time toward it.

A macabre squeal - high pitched and ear-shattering - echoed through the meadow. Panic and fear and anger and frustration in that noise - it rang through the boy’s ears deafening them to the caw of crows who upon hearing that squeal evacuated the branches of the trees on the edges of the Black Forest in a cloud of black feathers.

With eyes closed Doyler wrapped his arms around something wet, fleshy and covered in patches of coarse hair - felt it buck into him - kicking his ribs and winding the boy - forcing him to immediately loosen and finally relent his grip. Takeru’s hands grasped at small stubby legs that bucked and broke free.

As the two boys - flat on their stomachs opened their eyes to look forward they saw the back of what was running from them. Short, stout and hairy - cloven hooves kicking at the dirt and with a stubby tail that frayed at the end - it darted quickly from their view back into the grass and beyond their sight. Only the snorting sound of its panicked breath and round body shifting the grass left behind.

After a brief moment - confused horror turned to one of recognition then embarrassment of their fear - the two boys flushed red and smiled at each other - breaking into a therapeutic laugh that hurt their chests and had tears streaming down their cheeks.

A pig!” Takeru laughed sitting up and trying to catch his breath. “”A fucking wild pig!”

Doyler reached across and punched Takeru in the shoulder: “Man! I was so on edge for a pig?”

The boys stood and brushed themselves off - still smiling - still laughing.

The great Takeru Yuya Masturbation Mystery solved then!” began Doyler. “Your secret admirer is a stray wild pig. Probably attracted by the noise.”

Takeru still smiled but he wasn’t so sure. “This time maybe. But look... I know I’m gonna sound crazy but it was more than that. You know? There was definitely more to it than just a pig.” Takeru cast his eyes over the meadow and towards the edge of the Black Forest - a row of tall trees extending miles before disappearing into the horizon. He felt that unease he had the day before - of a pair of eyes closely watching him from the dark. “I dunno. Maybe.”

I don’t doubt you man. But this time... This time it was just a pig.” Doyler looked at his watch and sighed. “Anyway. Fun time’s over. I need to return my lovely neon vest and litter picker to the deputy’s office.”

Takeru looked away from the Black Forest - up towards the sky and then to Doyler: “I guess I should head back too.”

The boys turned back to the road and side by side slowly and reluctantly walked the distance.

You think that maybe you wanna hang out again some time?” asked Doyler looking up to the sky and scratching the back of his head. “You know maybe do something other than hunting wild life?”

Takeru looked at his shoes in the grass and answered: “Yeah. Maybe we could go and tip cows or something.” Smiling. “Or maybe steal a truck?” he laughed.

Doyler laughed too. “Maybe not so much.”

After a brief moment of leaden silence Takeru asked what he had wanted to ask all afternoon: “That kid you were with… the one you got into trouble for. You er… you gonna see him again?”

Kibu? Maybe. I hope so. Probably not. I dunno.”

Were you two… close?”

No! Yes! Sorta? It wasn’t like… you know…” Doyler was struggling to find the appropriate words. “It was but it wasn’t. It isn’t.”

That’s good.” Takeru smiled at Doyler and as the two looked up they realised that they had reached the painted railing by the road. They climbed over and in silence made for the weeping willow tree where Takeru retrieved the skateboard and trash bag.

As the boys headed back toward the town in the dying afternoon, they made plans that weren’t plans to spend time together again. To go for a coffee or a milkshake - to meet at a party or walk the beach. Takeru offered to teach Doyler to skate - Doyler offered to teach Takeru to play the Uke - neither particularly enthusiastic about the others idea but eager to meet again nonetheless.

As the boys stood in the town square ready to go their separate ways - parting with the customary soft slapping of palms in a low five they uttered a final goodbye. Takeru stopped after a few feet and watched Doyler slowly walk away - the younger boy’s shoulders falling into a slight slump as he turned down Maplin Road toward the sheriff's office. He wondered about Doyler: about the sort of strength it took get out of bed every day after losing those people who made up your whole world - he wondered if he would have that strength in him… He didn’t know exactly what had happened to Jamie, that good-looking happy-go-lucky kid who seemed to be friends with everyone on the island. He’d heard the rumours and the speculation - the party on Pāpa'i beach the night after the Summer’s End Festival, some kind of explosion or freak wave or rockslide from the cliffs above... how Jamie’s family had buried an empty casket...

All the while playing somewhere in the back of Takeru’s mind was the idea that they were not alone in that field that afternoon - that he, Doyler and the pig had another for company. Someone unseen.

What neither boy knew was that there were a fourth pair of eyes in that meadow. Eyes that, hidden in the the tree line of the Black Forest, had been on them the moment that their feet had hit the grass. Eyes that had watched with interest as they talked and joked and chased the wild pig for a couple hundred metres. Eyes that with sure and silent steps had followed them to the weeping willow tree and stayed hidden as they entered the town.



To be continued