17 Simon Lathalas- Chapter 5: The Abandoned Child Part Two

A month after Simon found Orion, Orion spoke his first words, "I'm hungry." After that he was able to speak simple sentences, of course this surprised Simon because Orion only looks to be around four months old. Though Simon did know that there was something different about Orion.

Only because Orion was a quick learner, Simon decided that he was going to teach him a lot of things at his early age. Simon taught him how to fish, use a bow, use a sword, and hunting, all before he turned three years old. Simon thought to himself, "Wow, the times fly by so quickly."

Ten months after Simon took Orion on his first hunting trip, Orion got his first kill. A deer. He said that he heard a noise and jumped, which caused him to miss the practice target, and there just so happened to be a deer behind. This made Simon laugh, "So he has incredible luck too".

[Simon: A kill is a kill, so this counts as your first one.]

Together they cleaned the giant mess that was in Simon's house, Simon needed it to get done sooner or later, so he guessed that he might as well. Simon also taught Orion how to use martial arts.

When Orion turned seven, he started to ask if Simon could magic, and if he could teach him. Of course, part of the punishment was that he couldn't use nor teach magic to anyone else. Simon had to refuse him, but that was when Simon remembered the paper from twelve years ago. Simon found it in his desk, still perfectly fine. Simon signed the everything that he had to sign, and was about to give it to Orion, but then he thought, "I could give this to him for a later birthday". And he put it back into the desk.

Two years later, Simon taught Orion how to speak and write in two languages, the common and elvish languages. Of course at this point, Orion's fast learning didn't surprise Simon. Orion learned both languages within a year.

When Orion turned ten, Simon decided to tell Orion what happened to his parents. Although it seemed like he already knew what happened. "How's that possible? He was, at most, three months. He shouldn't have memories from that long ago. So how?" Simon really wanted to ask Orion this, but he stopped himself. "I can't ask something like that. Why are you so smart? That's a stupid thing to ask." So Simon went silent about his question.

Some time had passed and it's two months before Orion's twelfth birthday. Though Simon notices that Orion is starting to act strange. There was that morning where he was standing up high on the bed and he had his blanket picked up all the way, as if he was hiding something. Simon decides not to pry in to whatever he is hiding.

A month after that, Orion had started to scream. Simon ran as fast as he could to his room. Orion was pale in the face and looked as terrified as prey looking into the eyes of their hunter. Orion says that it was just a nightmare, and there was nothing to worry about, but his face said otherwise. There was something else that was bothering him, but what is it, what can distress someone so much.

A few days after that, Simon went to go his monthly merchant trip. He really hopes nothing happens while he's away. Simon walks to the road where, almost twelve years ago, he found Orion at that very spot. Simon sighs.

[Simon: It's already been twelve years, damn I wish the years would go by slower.]

His reasoning for this is mostly because humans live for a lot less time than elves, meaning that there was a real good chance that Simon was going to outlive Orion. Though with luck, he'll be able to meet his great-great-great-grandson, before it's time for himself to leave the world.

[Simon: This is not the time nor place to be thinking about that kind of stuff.]

Simon smacked both of his cheeks at the same time.

[Simon: Anyways, the merchant should be passing by right about now. I wonder how long I'll have to wait.]

They've been running low on food to snack on. With only crackers to eat, Simon knew that it was already time to get more. There has also been a shortage of normal beast in the area for some reason. They could move onto magical beast if they had to, but in comparison, most normal beasts' meat are leagues better. Just thinking about this made Simon hungry.

It's been a few hours already and there is no sign of any merchant coming any time soon.

[Simon: Though I have gotten the calendar wrong before, so it might just be that. But just in case I'll stay for a couple more hours.]

And so he did, a few more hours passed and there was still no merchant. Maybe Simon did get the timing wrong. Or perhaps the merchant is the one that is late. Either way, Simon decides that it's time to go back home.

*********************************

[Simon: I'm home!]

A moment passed. That's weird. Usually Orion would come to me by now. Maybe he's out hunting right now. Although it seems that he's been having a hard time hunting lately. He would go, then come back with nothing, but looks extremely stressed. Simon takes a seat on couch and waits.

It's midnight and he's not back.

[Simon: Damn it, Orion! Where are you?]

Simon starts looking around for him. He checks Orion's bedroom, his own room, the bathroom, and basically every room in the house, besides the secret rooms. Simon starts to worry, they promised that they would always be back home by midnight no matter what, so why is he not here.

Simon takes a chair and sits in it, waiting for Orion. After a few more hours, Simon fell asleep from exhaustion.

********************************

Simon wakes up to something tickling his face, and we opens his eyes Orion was there. They had a talk about where he was, and it turned out that Orion was reading all day and night in the library. The one place that Simon did not check.

Simon goes to the bathroom to wash off the weird feeling off his face. To find out that Orion drew on him from a piece of charcoal. Simon laughs at this.

[Simon: Maybe nothing is wrong after all. Maybe. Hopefully.]

As Simon says this, he quickly realized that deep down, that probably wasn't the case. There was something wrong, but how is he suppose to know what it is.

Though Simon doesn't know this. That "something" will make it's move soon.