Spirit Chapter 2
Amber light filtered down through the grey clouds, rejuvenating the sombre winter sky, signalling the arrival of dawn. His body, now rightfully sore from spending most of the previous day on hard stone, Riku gingerly trudged his way out of the park through the winding path amidst the foliage, leading to Minato High Street.
Usually vibrant and full of activity during the daytime, the eerie stillness of the early morning seemed to intensify Riku’s senses, the scent of fresh dew coupled with the sound of songbirds singing their respective melodies against the backdrop of the steadily rising sun entranced him. Everything he usually took for granted was made even more noticeable.
The events of the previous night suddenly flashed in his mind. The arguments, the park, the howling wind and to top it all; that mysterious place he had found himself in. ‘’Was that real?’’ Riku asked himself, ‘’It had to be, the sand... the old man... it couldn’t have been a dream!’’ he exclaimed.
He had so many questions, but one took priority over the rest. ‘’Why do I feel like a different person?’’ he pondered. Now passing various traditional Japanese restaurants, souvenir shops and even the odd flower shop or two, Riku made the familiar left at the main intersection at the end of the street. He lived in a small city called Midori-Shi (Green City) aptly named for the abundant flora and fauna littered amongst the buildings. Riku continued a few blocks down Yamamoto Avenue until he arrived at a dilapidated apartment complex.
Nothing about this place stood out. Mossy grey walls telling of years of neglect coupled with an intricate network of cracked cement made Riku sigh each time he saw it. Through the front entrance, up the stairs 3 floors to the right, down the long corridor and into apartment 13.
‘’Back to the holding cell it is’’ he mused. As he was opening the door, a sharp pain emanated from his lungs, as if they were being constricted by an invisible force, the same as when he encountered the old man. ‘’The old man…!’’ Riku gasped, desperately trying to vacuum in as much oxygen as he could, clutching his chest tightly. Memories of that mysterious figure clad in grey robes came flooding back to him. The images were vivid, almost as if part of him was still there.
Finally managing to catch his breath he hurriedly tried to get his thought back to some semblance of normality. "What’s happening to me?’’ he wondered out loud. ‘’What’s that Riku-chan?’’ a soft, gentle voice inquired. ‘’What’s happened to you now?’’ The door swung open. In front of him stood his older sister, Sayako, still in her blue pyjamas and thick black sweater, she was up uncharacteristically early. She ushered Riku inside and quickly shut the door behind them. Her normally silky brown hair in a frizzy mess, she looked as though she hadn’t slept in years.
‘’What were you muttering to yourself just now? And where have you been? I was worried sick about you!’’ she said while simultaneously giving him a gentle tap on the back of the head.
‘’I should be the one asking you the questions’’ Riku replied, taking careful measure to remove his shoes at the doorstep, as is custom in Japanese households. Planting himself on the sofa serving as the only piece of furniture aside from a small wooden TV stand in the tiny living room, he questioned her further, ‘’Why are you up so early?’’
Cheeks reddening, Sayako gave a meek smile. ‘’Well. I was upset about yesterday to the point where I couldn’t sleep, so I spent the time cleaning and testing out a new blueberry pancake recipe that we could have for breakfast, but that’s beside the point, what happened to you? You look awful.’’
Sudden fatigue now setting in, Riku sleepily managed to mutter ‘’ Hayabusa Park, strong wind, crazy dream’’ before awkwardly stumbling into his small room and dropping onto the comfy futon that awaited him. With a loving smile, Sayako whispered ‘’Sweet dreams Riku-chan.’’
The next week things fell back into the usual rhythm. Sayako made the daily commute to the dreaded cubicle, seizing any opportunity in-between to snag a beer or two, while Riku returned to Kawasaki High School. In his final year, the majority of his time spent there was sleeping in class or retreating to the school roof. This was his sacred fortress of solitude, complete with a spectacular view of the city. Every building, street, alley and winding sidewalk gleamed in the sun’s light, reflecting with it the very soul of the city. One unique aspect of this city was the sheer amount of greenery surrounding it, lush forests and rivers ringed the outskirts, blessing the city’s inhabitants with the purest of air.
With so much outward beauty surrounding him, Riku began to reminisce on his life. ‘’Why was I fraught with so much negativity, when I had everything I needed right in front of me?’’ he questioned. Trapped within himself, a deep abyss, with no means of escape. Until now. A light shone through the utter darkness. Unable to determine it’s source, he felt compelled to hold on to this light, to reach out with any strength that remained, for he knew deep down there was always a better future. The anguish of human beings had blinded him to these realizations.
Riku knew the meeting with the old man was a life changing one. Something in his heart had permanently shifted. Instead of weakness and self pity, he felt a new strength surging within him. The strength of hope. No longer would he be like a lone wolf, separated from its pack, destined to roam the lands aimlessly, howling at the moon for any sign of life.
Friday night came in the blink of an eye. Riku lay in bed, dreaming of the events of the previous week, wondering what would be next for him. The answer came abruptly, in the form of a drunken outburst from his sister. ‘’RIKU, get over here now!’’ she shrieked. All dreams now quickly erased from his mind, Riku made his way to the living room, bracing for the imminent storm, engulfing the entire apartment in clouds of negative energy. It seemed to sap his strength, each step a laboured effort.
Sayako had been drinking again. The absence of her father took a huge psychological toll on her. Forced to take care of her little brother from a young age, she grew up fast, perhaps a little too fast. Robbed of a large portion of her youth, cursing the injustices of life with every passing day, she shifted from job to job before settling down in an insurance firm at age 19, toiling away for the sake of Riku. Alcohol was her only release, bringing with it the terrible anger, taken out on Riku after a hard week. ‘’Why didn’t you take out the garbage?!!’’ she screamed, ‘’ What do I ever ask you to do? While I’m at work all day, you frolick about like this is a vacation or something… I can’t wait for the day you turn 18 so you can get a job and I never have to see you again!’’
Riku winced, normally used to these episodes, that particular line stung him. He loved Sayako with all his heart, but had been so powerless all these years, constantly viewing himself as the victim, thrust into a life he had no control over. He wanted this to end so badly, he longed for some magical cure to the lifelong ailment, but alas it never came. ‘’Maybe that meeting with the old man was just a dream after all’’ he thought to himself.
Time froze, as a deafening silence filled the room. Sayako remained in position on the couch, mouth half open as if about to continue her drunken tirade. Nothing moved. With the exception of Riku’s muffled breathing, chest expanding and contracting in time with his heartbeat, not a sound could be heard. ‘’RIKU’’ a deep, cavernous voice echoed throughout the room. ’’Open the front door’’ it commanded. Riku instantly recognized it. The clear unwavering tone undoubtedly belonged to the old man. It was such a voice that anyone who heard it, would stop and listen.
Scarcely daring to breathe, Riku inched towards the door. With trembling fingers, he barely managed to open it.
A strong gust of wind collided with his face. Eyes watering, he stepped forward. Instead of the adjoining corridor outside of his apartment, his foot landed on soft grass. He was on top of a grassy hill, the odd bush strewn about on its gentle slope. From this vantage point, Riku had a clear view of the surrounding terrain. Endless undulating hills clothed in lush green grass, that not even the finest pastures in his world could dream of, surrounded him on all sides. Above him was a clear sky, filled with flying creatures that he’d never seen before. Strange bird-like creatures with scales instead of feathers squawked noisily as they flew overhead. The gushing sound of stream water could be heard somewhere in the distance.
‘’Welcome young Riku’’ the voice sounded, much closer this time. Riku looked around but could not locate the source. He noticed that his apartment was cut off from the adjoining walls, as if someone had sawed it neatly in place. Time was still frozen inside, all its contents (including his sister) in the exact same position as before. Eyes now scanning furiously for any sign of the old man, Riku’s gaze fell upon a beautiful Sakura (Cherry Blossom) tree in full bloom, situated at the hill’s base. That’s when he saw it.
A wolf, much larger than any wolf he had ever seen in pictures. Its fierce yellow eyes stared unblinkingly at him while a coat of magnificent grey fur enhanced by the bright sunlight made it appear even more majestic. The wind picked up in strength, cherry blossom leaves swirling in every direction. The wolf, still staring at Riku, opened it’s mouth to speak. ‘’So we meet again Riku Hashimoto’’ it said, in the same sonorous voice as before. ‘’Prepare yourself, for your first lesson is about to commence.’’
Riku made his way down the hill to the tree, a lump rising in his throat. Nothing could prepare him for the events that were about to unfold.
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©Richard Pargass Spirit Story 2020.
Edited by T.Bell
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