DARK SOUL

Rays of mellow sunlight filtered through the verdurous canopy, penetrating through the leaves and casting an unearthly green- gold luminescence over the ground. You could hear the rustling sound of squirrels scurrying over thousands of brittle branches and twigs searching for food. The constant sound of a breeze gently swaying in its caress carrying a fragrance with it. The birds twittering and flying from tree to tree. One may hear the soft gurgling of a small creek from which the animals drink hiding in the forest.

The majestic trees made a citadel of their own. Some had shelf mushrooms growing like dinner plates for the creatures inhabiting its sanctuary. The windfall nuts and wild berries laid freely on the deep green carpet and on the clumpy mosses engulfing the trees. Hear the slinking away of a small fox nearby and the songs of female birds calling to their mates. The ambience was of a spirit refreshing essence of a potpourri of wild saps providing tranquillity for a troubled heart. The fluorescent forest has always being his means of escape and the animals seemed unbothered by his presence anymore. He showed no signs of threat to them or their younglings. To him, he loved how free they felt. They could fly out freely and do whatever they want without being criticized. 'Lord bless thy souls of those prey to game.' He prayed.

At first, he saw them as a danger to his entity and territory; realised later as he kept coming here that they were the last piece of completion. His brown hiking boots crunching on dirt, snapping gathered twigs, pesky insects buzzing near his ear not going about their businesses and gasping for breath, he laid down on the moistened grass-earth to rejuvenate for a while. Being fed up with the life he was raised in, he found this place convenient to drop the empty façade he always carried. To everyone, he was cold , reserved, impatient, rude and arrogant. Only Polly, a new mother, medium size green bird with blue wing feathers, Dave and Dale, black and white striped opossums, Rapha, a toucan with trouble kids and Gita, a hummingbird showed him genuine comfort, advice and sympathy which he gladly accepted.

They knew him for who he is and not what he is. They saw through his soul. Society's constant discrimination, his father's taunts and his mother's incessant proposals had killed the adventurous and bubbly spirit of poor Xerxes. He hated the name he carried. Always having to go beyond his will to appease his father for what happened twenty-two years ago. His mother was a different case altogether. Looking for ways to keep her name amongst the well bred was her daily purpose of living. She even sold her son to such a life leaving him to pay for his freedom. Thankfully, his actions paid off however that didn't mean she was done yet. He continued his trek going further and further into the mystical and spellbinding forest reliving yesterday's events.

Back in the city, the harsh winds blew across the atmosphere carrying away the faint poise hats of the Fulton honours women off their heads and the well gelled and tucked hairs into dishevelled figures. The people knew who that was. The flying of napkins from outside patisserie's, flapping of broken windows at Gruel street and the tucking of children back to their classrooms made the indication clearer that Trude was indeed coming. One person seemed unfazed of her presence. He actually liked the idea.

Sauntering to the park after his lucrative walk in the forest joined by a bridge earned him weird looks and looks of disbelief to which he ignored. He loves the smell of imminent rain which calmed his racing mind. The dense clouds began to shed heavy teardrops onto his forehead which trickled down to his chin. The park was empty to his satisfaction and the teardrops did nothing to harm his relaxed body in the park bench. The cold atmosphere wasn't a problem to an already cold person. With loud thuds onto the ground, the clouds poured out their hearts. They spared him no mercy hence drenching him wet. Moments passed by and he was still in that position with the harsh winds lashing angrily at the pouring rain.

By now, the fluorescent forest was covered in mist and deep grey clouds; leafs losing their green gold luminance and the animals scampering away to safety. His groomed black hair fell on his forehead making his blue eyes glint with mischief and discoloured cheeks now red. He is bound to catch a cold; he could care less. Puddles began to form in the once glowing Leumas park. With a devilish smile, he set of to work. He jumped from one puddle to another splashing the mud water onto his blue jeans and the grounds. There was an indistinct sound of someone crying amongst the beating of the ground. He followed the faint sound trail to one of the children's slides. He found a pitiable sight.

There was a little girl about six years old crying her heart out. He approached her to which she cowered in fright. After managing to convince her he was of no harm by jumping in and out of puddles, they started their trip back to his fortress of a manor. Getting to the north-western point of the park near some of the scraping trees to take the right fork to the street of his home, a shaken tree out of nowhere began to descend aiming for the child. He pushed her out of the way on impulse thus taking total impact. An effect of Trude's presence. Screaming her parched lungs out for help, the faint sirens of the city's ambulance would be heard from a distance. His thoughts visualizing rationality began to play before him till he went unconscious.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~FRIDAY MAY 27TH~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"All rise." The bailiff cried. The noise dispelled and all feet were in receiving the presiding judge. "Presenting Judge Xerxes Aziel Levisay. The court is now in session." All feet imitated the action of the judge after he sat down and motioned for them to follow.

"This is a juvenile case. The confidentiality of the victims and others are to be upheld. If you are not a member of this court, defendant or guardian to any of the victims, you will have to leave at this time." Judge Levisay exasperated. Two thirds of the people who came vanished like a puff of smoke. "Bailiff please call the first case." The bailiff did as he was told.

"Prosecution, are you ready to make your opening statements?"

" Yes , your honour." The prosecution replied. Thus ,the beginning of the case. The prosecutors took charge with full force while the defence cowered in slight fear. They soon found their feet and the defendant pleaded not guilty. That was his verdict. He adjourned the court leaving his files for his assistant to pick them up. He exited just like he entered radiating power and authority.

He has no one to look out for at least not anymore. So why waste time on frivolous things was his immediate response. He has no one to himself except his rusty yet commendable personal assistant. His assistant bears with his rude behaviour because he needs the job and is serious about it whereas his past assistants couldn't handle him for even a day. In fact, all his workers couldn't last a day claiming them to be incompetent. Only a few remain. They had stayed by his side since childhood. The housekeeper Mrs. Prescott, his driver, Crispin, his assistant Darrell, his gardeners Mr Sowel and his son, Patrick and Deimos and Phobos his collie and retriever. They all are loyal and faithful to him. They help prevent himself from living in gloominess and loneliness whatever way they can. A dark soul needs rescuing and they are his rescue team.

" Look here son, all the judges have their hands full except you. You are our only hope," Barrister Cosby, a member of the high court pleaded. He and another as an escort were in judge Levisay's office discussing mentorship. They had come so that they could convince him(Levisay) to accept the low profile lawyers they were training to be magistrates. " Training them isn't difficult. So what is the problem?" the problem wasn't the lawyers (well they can be a handful) , the problem was him. He couldn't protect someone in his past which has by far written his future for him.

"I am sorry, Barrister Cosby but I can't take anyone under my wing." Judge Levisay denied.

"I am also sorry son but if persuasion fails , force must be applied. You are an Apelles court judge Unless you want to be the magistrate for the county in Hawler, you have to have a number of interns under you." Barrister Cosby negotiated.

"A number you say, then I pick only one intern under my wing. Just one not more than not less."

"Alright but we are choosing the intern for you."

"Whatever makes you get off my back."

"Well then, expect your disciple on Monday. I take my leave now." Judge Xerxes didn't bother to show him the door.

'The following weeks are going to be tough on the intern for he was going to make him regret accepting to be under his wings.' He thought.

To pay his respects and to relieve his mind, he decided to go for a trek in the forest leading to the present situation.