The Traveler

Clairvoyant or a product of the alchemist has his eyes locking on hers for a fraction of a second longer than intended and taken aback, the kid asks, “Are you going to leave me here?”

Hearing that frightened edge, he says, “Of course not. But we need to go.”

Out of the rough, and keeping with his moderate stride, peripherals catch Jasper glancing up before she turns back to look ahead to Red.

Curious, he asks, “Something on your mind.”

Jasper’s quiet builds to, “It was supposed to be a safe house. Turns out it was nothing more than moms and daughters being hauled in or out. Along with the long hour of being unmoving, I’ve grown used to all the noise that has me waking to mom being gone. Later on, two men come around telling me how special I am. That’s when they start giving me treats like I was their pet. Anyways, early this morning, the two dressed me up and then put me in a cage. Trade day is what the two kept talking about the whole time that got me fearing that my world is going to get even worse.” A pause. “Guess what I am trying to say is, I am happy you killed those men.”

He had little choice then, but he tips his hat anyways.

Onward they walk under pockets of illumination that gives an eerie cast to the road. As for the rooster, Red has come back around.