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Late Night Runaway

‘Whenever you’re feeling lonely, look at the moon, and trust me I’ll be thinking of you too.’

By JayPublished 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago 8 min read
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The crisp air of the night ferociously nipped at the young boy who had managed to run away from his home. Monster, he thought to himself. His quiet sniffles were drowned out by the unforgiving winds that seemed to also be against him and push him back home.

“I’m never going back!” He sneered pushing forward into the depths of the dark forest. The rage was unbearable. Seething hatred in the very being of his heart festered like an open wound. He only wanted to be happy. Only wanted his family to be together but no-his father had to fall in love with a stranger! Some other woman besides his mother.

He’s too young to understand. His relatives would whisper quietly when they came around. Give him some time.

I didn’t need time, he angrily thought. He needed to get away. And what better way than to run away from home. He had no idea where he would go but anywhere was better than being home. Sadly, he wished he dressed better. His mother would always make sure he was dressed for the winter.

He continuously marched through the blizzard, feeling the cold grip at his tiny legs.

“I need to get away!”

The faint shouts of someone in the distance made him stop. He turned in the direction of the yelling, feeling his heart pound in his chest. Was that his Mother? Did he hear right? A small thought of just heading back home crossed his mind but was halted when a nasty gust of wind knocked him over and he went tumbling down a hill of snow. All sense of direction was lost and he suddenly became angry once again.

Hot tears burned his cheeks as they ran down his chestnut-colored eyes. He shakily stood up, quivering under his coat and sniffles looking around. Everything looked the same and completely blurred.

Trees. Snow. Bushes. And the darkness.

By Aditya Vyas on Unsplash

He didn’t like the darkness but he was so distraught upon leaving that he didn’t think of the consequences that would transpire. He did what any normal frightened child would do.

He cried.

He found a tree hanging with the little leaves it had left, not wanting to let go. The rotten tree had a crevice he was able to hide inside from the cold. He uncontrollably was rattled with cries that only escalated even more. He felt so lonely. He felt his father didn’t understand. He felt no one in his family understood. Especially that-stranger. They would never understand. Through the flurries, wet tears, and sniffles he was able to make out the moon. The moon in all its bright flory shone down on him.

He loved when his mother told stories about the moon that endured the long lonely hours without the sun. In love with the sun but just out of reach. His soft cries didn’t let up until something appeared from the corner of his eyes. On a high tree branch across from him, a lone barn owl quietly perched without a sound. It fluttered its wings brushing off the snow that simply rolled off its feathers.

He brushed the snow that fell on his face and gazed at the bird. He vividly remembered his mother loves owls and had her collection of owl-inspired socks that kept his feet warm. He also remembered that the first time he saw the beady-eyed bird it scared him to no end. However, now as he stared at the bird under the moonlight it brought a feeling of tranquility that calmed his senses.

It was beautiful. Just like his mother would tell him.

He gritted his teeth when the owl simply turned to him and memories of his mother flooded his mind. Happy memories that warmed his heart and cold aching body. He didn’t even notice when the falling snow around him had only transitioned into a light flurry. He was able to see the bright stars that surrounded the brilliant moon.

‘It won’t be dark forever my love. Even the sun needs its rest before shining again, and the moon and the stars always illuminate the path back home? Whenever you’re feeling lonely, look at the moon, and trust me I’ll be thinking of you too.’

Remembering those words when his mother was on the hospital bed sparked a certain pain he couldn’t describe but brought him to tears. He missed his mother dearly. He hadn’t realized it had been over two years since her passing and he felt angry that his father had just moved on? Did he not care about her? Was he the only one holding on to everything that reminded him of her?

The owl stared at him down and fluttered its wings again. The flurries seemingly to caress its face. He could imagine his mother popping out from around the dead tree and laughing at his silly predicament.

‘My love, what are you doing there?’

A gentle smile would be placed on her features and she would cross her arms and laugh would make him feel all warm inside.

‘Here take my coat you’ll be much warmer and let’s get you back inside!'

But it wasn’t going to happen. It was never going to happen again.

“I don’t want to go back there. I just want to be with you.”

His entire body was rattled with cries. Although warmer in the dead tree he didn’t want to move. He hugged himself tightly and found the owl kept an eye on him, however, he found that it had flown down closer to him. He tried to fight his eyelids from closing but it was becoming heavier and sleep was taking over.

In dreamless sleep, the poor young boy nestled into the dead tree. The lone barn owl silently kept a watch over him. No harm would come to the boy. A little over an hour had passed and the young boy was in and out of sleep. The owl appeared to his mother. The owl and then his mother. He tried to reach out, and he tried his best to stay awake but he was too tired. In the distance, his name was being called and little by little he stirred but never awoke.

The owl being awoken by the yells had fluttered its wings before taking flight to the commotion. Its brilliant black eyes surveyed the area searching for the noises and came across two people.

“Where could he be?” The woman completely defeated asked on the verge of tears.

The man looked exhausted and threw his arms up. “I should’ve told him about us. I didn’t know he was going to react this way. This is my fault.” He groaned, covering his face in anger. The woman only placed a hand on his shoulder.

“You told me yourself he loved his mother and how they had an unbreakable bond. It completely shattered him, and the love won’t go away. It’s not your fault but he needs you right now, and I’ll do whatever I can to help. So come let’s go find him!”

The man nodded with a sigh looking up at the moon and saw the silhouette of the barn owl. Taken back, he slowly blinked to see the beautiful bird, as his ex-wife would put it, perched upon the branch staring at them. It fluttered its wings and the man was lost for words. Deep down he never stopped loving his wife but he grew lonely and was able to find new love that blossomed with someone else. He would never forget her.

His thoughts rolled over to his son. His poor son who he had neglected to realize was feeling just as lonely. Just as sad and was robbed of one of his parents who loved him. His mouth slightly hung open and tears flooded his eyes. And just like that, the barn owl took flight.

His legs moved on their own, and he ran after them. The woman, completely lost for words, followed right after not understanding what he was looking at. There wasn’t anything there besides an owl.

They ran through the high snow trying not to lose sight of the bird. Just then they tumbled down a small hill which they hadn’t seen coming. Thankfully the snow was soft and cushioned their fall.

“Damnit where’s the owl?”

The man looked everywhere but it was nowhere in sight. He slammed his hands on the snow and forced himself up. He helped the woman on her feet and looked around for any signs of the boy. The snow was quickly covering their tracks so they weren’t even able to follow in his foot tracks if they wanted to.

Out of the corner of their eyes, she saw the owl upon the dead tree. Why was her boyfriend following the owl? She vaguely remembered him mentioning that his ex-wife was in love with them. She had gotten closer to the bird and tilted her head. It only fluttered its wings and at that moment she happened to look down.

“Oh my gosh! He’s here.” She exclaimed, bending down into the crevice and gently picking up the cold little boy in her arms. She hugged him so tightly hoping for any extra warmth she had transferred over to him. She barely knew him but she loved him, even though he wasn’t too fond of her. She didn’t care that much but she promised herself she would care for him.

He needs a hug. Well-he needed more than just a simple hug but she knew this was the best thing to give him right now. She looked back up to see that the owl was no longer there. She gently tapped the young boy’s back thinking if it was just a simple coincidence. His father ran to him embracing his son and saw him sleeping in his girlfriend’s arms.

He loved his son dearly and he vowed he would make sure his son would get all the love and attention he needed. He hugged both of them and heard his son mumbling, “I’m sorry.” Over and over again. They simply kissed his forehead and shushed him as they returned home. Even though he was too tired to show it the young boy was more than happy when he saw his father and the other woman. She hugged him so tightly like his mother would and at that moment he knew they did care for him. He couldn't even remember the reason he ran away.

His eyes fluttered open to look at the moon and in the distance, he saw his mother. His tired eyes drooped once more and all that was seen amid the light snow was the silhouette of the owl flying away into the night.

Short Story
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About the Creator

Jay

Aspiring to be a healthcare professional to support underserved communities and give to those who don't have a voice! I also have a love for reading, writing, and so many more awesome things. While you’re here, check out my stories! :)

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