The Lone Drifter

Chapter 2 of 'The Lone Drifter' (Comments would be well appreciated :) This is my first story)

Chapter 2

The sound of birds and the rustling of the leaves awakes me. Pulling me from the dream scape land I visit each night. Reminders of my past coupled with darkness. Emotions of suffering and a woman's scream are the most re-occurring scenes that play out. Reminders indeed. A reminder of why I started this journey. Why I chose this life of drifting. Redemption. Call it karma or my attempt at forgiveness. I try to put right what I did wrong, one act at a time.

I stretch out my arms, imitating a cat. Using the tree that gave me support through the night, I shimmy myself to an upright position. Looking over at the town. Memories of the night before lay on the streets, banners and cups. The morning after, as it is called. I see what appears to be a market in it's infancy, as it has only just passed dawn. I gather my satchel and adjust my hood and scarf, and make my way back to town.

Looking over the various items for sale: fruit, clothes, bags and tools, one stall catches my interest. The owner looks me up and down and questions with a smile

“What brand you looking for?”

I pause for a moment. Glancing at all the different brands of smokes on offer.

“I'll take 2 of those” I reply, pointing to a dark coloured pack with a soaring eagle on it. The man takes two packs and a box of matches and exclaims

“That'll be six twenty five, sir.”

I reach into my satchel and withdraw a piece of paper and a few coins, I stare at the money and then pass it to him. Dropping it into a box he passes me the items and looks me in the eye and says

“Have a good one”

I meet his gaze and nod. I locate the exit and make my way to it. Lost in my own thoughts, I barely even noticed an apple stall that had been knocked over by a powerful gust of wind. I stop and drop to my knees to help the old man collecting the fruit. He glances up after he realises there are 2 pairs of hands grabbing the apples, stops for a moment, then continues collecting. I raise up after the last apple is back in the basket and turn to continue my walk. The old man rushes up to me and points to a nearby bench. I glance in his direction and adhere to his request.

We sit there in silence for a few seconds. Before it is broken by the words

“Thank you for that act of kindness stranger.” He remarks while passing me an apple. I accept his offer and brush off the apple's skin.

“Thank you”

“I know the burden you carry, the pain that follows you. I know of the acts you have done, and the regret in your heart. I know of the path you walk, and the redemption you seek.” the old man proclaims to me. I listen to him carefully, putting the apple into my satchel. I sigh and look into the distance. This random stranger knows me better than most of the acquaintances I made in my previous life. He gets up from the bench and head back to his stall, but turns back and says with regard

“I hope you find what you seek” And continues on.

My gaze drifts from his, to the floor, and I murmur

“So do I”

Getting back to my feet, I return to my journey to the exit, heading back to the spot on the hill overlooking the town.

I sit against the tree, my back now accustomed to the tree's body. I sit recalling the events of the day, listening to the words of the old man again. 'I know of the path you walk, and the redemption you seek'. His words echoing in my mind. My mouth cracks a smile as I remember that moment. He was a wise old man indeed.

Surveying the landscape that demands my attention, I see a small figure in the distance. Running from the town in my general direction. Redirecting my attention I reach into my satchel and grasp a pack of smokes. Flicking the small box open, I draw out a cigarette and plant it on my lips. Strike a match against the sole of my shoe and light the fuse. I take a long drag and tilt my head back. Looking at the many clouds, the different shapes and the intermingling. Clouds. Such a simple thing.

A pair of galloping feet break my attention. My eyes drift down and meet the figure, standing on the brow of the hill. It unwraps the scarf around it's head and lowers the hood of it's cloak. It is a she, and she is that girl. As she lowers her cloak, she greets me with a booming smile and says

“Finally! I've been looking for you for ages!” What are we, married? I take another drag from my cigarette as she makes herself 'at home'.

“So...This where you sleep?” She says, contorting her face.

“Yeah. The great outdoors.” I reply, catching her eyes. She brushes the ground next to me and lowers herself, copying my position. I just watch her.

Once she is comfortable with the uncomfortable position she has taken up, she informs me

“You know smoking is bad right? It is bad for your health” I just shoot her a look of 'Oh you think?'. I smirk as I say to myself 'You are bad for my health hunny'.

“Anyway, I saw you today...in the market.” I take another drag and glimpse into her eyes. “I saw what you did for that old man, that was very nice of you!” She says with yet another smile. I re-adjust against the tree and reply

“I help those who need help”

“Really? But you don't say much, and you don't socialise much either?” She questions, waiting for an answer. Any answer. I flick the butt of my cigarette into the small fire I built and sigh. Turning to her I reply

“Words are only words, actions mean more. People don't need help socialising. People need help in times of crisis.” I turn back and gaze into the fire. She just stares at me, absorbing what I just said. A few moments pass before I reach into my satchel and grab another cigarette, strike another match and light another fuse. I shift my weight and turn back to her. Still with the same expression from before, her eyes return to mine. I prepare myself for her to say something. Something deep maybe? Or even something slightly wise?

“I think....I think that is the most you have ever said so far” She says exploding into fits of giggles. The first time in a while that I am remotely shocked. I just sit back and smile. 'Good girl' I think to myself. She just continues to giggle, while glancing at me every few seconds.

We just sit there and enjoy each others company. We sit laughing. Well she's doing most of the laughing, I just sit and crack a smile every now and then. The moon is high up in the sky before I realise I am sitting in silence. I turn and there she is, asleep against the tree. I stop for a moment, unsure what to do. Hmm what do I do? So I climb to my feet, remove my cloak, and drape it over her. She moves ever so slightly. I return to my original position and wrap my scarf around my head and gaze into the fiery embers. Mesmerised.

It's early afternoon before I leave my visions of the woman. My senses starting to fire up, taking in the information of my surroundings. It is not long before I realise my cloak is draped over me. My sight shifts to the tree and I realise she is gone. No life left in the fire. Once again, I return to solitude.

Author's Note

Feel free to comment and review, this is my first book so any constructive criticism is welcome :)