1: Stranger Boy

Darla

He definitely looked different from normal. Maybe it was the eccentric look he had on his face. That evening, when he first came in, his hazel eyes couldn't stop staring at me for a second. I found it creepy. Well, anyone would.

He was a complete stranger that my Grandpa had decided to bring home. His thick dark black hair had water dripping from it, and his shoes squelched at every step he made. He appeared drenched from going under the heavy rain.

This was during the late hours when Pa had returned from his usual farming routine. Expecting to meet just grandpa, as usual, I had earlier gone to open the door with a feeling of excitement. 

Holding onto the unsteady door knob that I had learnt to get use to, I bent it down and as it was finally opened, it revealed a young boy about my height but I certainly was some feet taller, only a few, standing next to Pa. 

Though the boy that stood beside grandfather had a petrifying scowl on, I remained unflinching.

I could see mud stains and blood all over the stranger's face, yet what he bothered himself with was to give me a long eerie look. I made sure I looked back at him that way showing how prepared I was for anything.

It was undoubtedly startling at first as it was very unexpected. I couldn't help but slightly part my lips in wonder, and my forehead rumpled as it gave out the expression of shock mixed with confusion. 

At this time of the day, an unfamiliar boy next to Pa. The heavy rain slowly began to cease, but it still drizzled though. The shivering breeze gushed in as the entrance was opened, but what felt cold instead at the moment was the adolescent that stood at my front next to grandpa.

Finally, the boy quit the creepy stare.

I remember Pa saying, "Be nice to him okay?"

Why so quiet? Where did he come from? Was he dangerous? Perhaps a spy from the Rocain land. A Rocainian? Then that meant we were done for.

He had bruises all over his face, one that made it seem like he had gotten into more than one fight, or had been beaten up badly to a pulp. I thought, maybe a slave that had escaped his master. I won't say he looked innocent to me, he just seemed dark and also a little, I don't know, pitiable? My eyes lowered and I saw him clench his fist like he was holding in a strong emotion. His eyes now glared at the floor.

"Why don't you take him to the room? He must be really exhausted." Pa said in his usual friendly tone, never thinking of anyone as an enemy.

Although he raised me, I thought differently. We ought to be cautious, especially after what we'd been through in the past. Obeying grandpa, I led the stranger boy to the room, making him walk at my front instead of my back. Who knew his possible intentions and motive?

"Keep moving!" I commanded as he made a sudden halt. He turned back to me, who in return gave him a stern look. I held my lantern in my right hand and it was the dim light we used to see where we were going. 

The young boy resumed walking. I noticed he walked in a limping pattern. Pa had done it! Curses! I couldn't get shut eyes. I had to stay up and watch this creepo all night. I wondered why he couldn't just open his little mouth to speak. At least let me hear this person's voice I was about to spend the night in the same room with.

"Hey, what's your name? Who are you?" I questioned the boy who probably thought silence was a response.

His breathing seemed ragged and he held his stomach as he winced. He went to the window side and there he stayed all night. Was he on the lookout for someone or something? He was muttering to himself things I couldn't hear or understand. He looked determined to stay up and I wasn't going to fall asleep while a supposedly dangerous person watched me. There were too many stories to learn from. I couldn't be that ignorant stupid girl that trusted her soon to be killer.

I then rose up from bed as soon as the sun came out. I heard a loud thud, and as I checked what made the noise, I discovered it was 'Stranger Boy.'

 He finally gave out and slept. I could now see his face clearly. His pretty face. He looked like nothing I had seen before. I wondered where he was from. I hope he wasn't dead seeing the way he fell down. He faced up like an I surrender position.

No, he wasn't dead.

His belly rose up and down, showing he was still breathing. I laid on the bed facing him with my arms folded and chin resting on it like a pillow.

Grandfather then walked in and had this confused expression on. I shrugged, then he nodded his head sideways in dismay. He went to the boy who was like a pile of log on the ground. Pa was about waking him up when I explained to him that he hadn't slept all through the night. Though I didn't see it necessary to tell him I also didn't.

"Why on the floor, Darla?" Grandpa asked me, making me annoyed. Was I supposed to sleep on the floor instead and also stay awake because of that? I mean who was he? Literally, who was he?

I asked Pa, "Do you know his name or anything about him?"

"No. I just saw a lad in the rain and offered help. I couldn't have just walked away. Who knows the kind of tragedy he's been through? Poor lad. Maybe when he wakes up we'll find out the answers to those questions."

"And what if he happens to be trouble…?"

Pa and I looked at the sleeping boy, wondering what we had brought into our home.