To Forgive Providence

On the whispered twilight of a new night. The crisp summer air is moist with the dew that falls from a half lit sky. Orange cream spreads in the west as a burning sphere descends from view. Twin mountains stand with the sun betwixt their breasted crests. A small lad walks the cobbled path home. His shoes tied together and slung over a shoulder. His gait is jovial as would be expected by any observer. For the boys grin spread across a freckled face that shone from a brilliant inner light.

The cottage sat in the cleft of the two mountains it was dark but for a single candle that flickered angrily. The boy stopped as he grew near the place. Dropping his shoes from his shoulders he bent down to put them on. His golden curly locks covered his face, but a definite shadow appeared as a voice rose from the cottage.

"Boy, boy? Where are you boy? I have waited for hours where are you?" said a hateful creaky voice.

"I am here. No doubt you have waited. I was caught up in a game of leap frog that lasted hours beyond my expectations." called the boy who began to trot back to the house.

The boy passed the remaining distance and opened the door. The candle's orange light dimly fell from the open door as the boy passed inside. Yet, as the door closed the candle died or was slain. Night was out in full strength at this time. The only light was that of several tiny stars that gazed down on earth from their perches high in the heavens. This night several stars would look away. For happenings of great evil would fill the void left by the sun's descent.

A cleft between two mountains is not always the best place to build a home. Some say that such places are evil. Some say such places are blessed. I know not which, but evil came to the cleft when there was a sudden knock on the cottage's door.

A candle was lit and a door was cracked. A blond haired boy sheepishly looks out a door where a tall slight man stood hat in hand.

"Greeting's my good lad. Is your guardian about? If I remember correctly it is a bitter old hag by the name of Janet Smith. And you my boy go by Samuel Smith?" he words were said with a glad tone.

"Yes, sir I am Samuel Smith. And Janet is home, shall I rouse her for you?"

Pushing his way past the lad the man entered. Standing perfectly erect he spun a circle taking in the whole of the entry, which acted as kitchen, dining room, Sam's room, and lounge.

"I am so rude," bowing down almost doubling himself over the man bent his head to the boy. "I am Thomas, Thomas Ashton. I was a good friend of your fathers in fact I helped him greatly in his studies."

A glow of excitement crossed the boys face. He had not met a man who had known his father or even known of his father's studies in quite some time. This was certainly a fortuitous situation in the boys mind. Alas the evil that had enter his innocent life would change those feelings all too soon.

To Be Continued...