Fergus Farringdon the Second.. Rene Darker

any words. He all but nodded.

      “I am going to miss you, my best friend,” ruffing Fergus’s hair. While trying to break the worrisome tension between the two.

      “You should be on your way before the day gets the better of you.” Quinn suggested to Fergus.

      “Yes,” Fergus agreed while trying to hold back a tear or two.

      They both gave a mighty hug, and Fergus turned to walk on.

      “Oh, how could I,” said Fergus with much annoyance.

      “What Fergus,” Quinn asked.

      “I forgot Czar,” said Fergus as he headed back to his cottage.

      Upon opening the door, Fergus found Czar waiting. Fergus tucked Czar into his back pants pocket. Not looking back again, Fergus set off. He thought he could feel Quinn watching, as he walked close to the Gullies edge. Though, when he turned to wave goodbye, she was nowhere in sight. That very moment was the most friendless and lonesome Fergus had ever felt. Even with Czar in his back pocket.

      Looking back one more time he reminded himself how the Gully was the only place he had forever known. He began to question one last time whether he should continue. But at the same time, he was somewhat excited. Looking ahead, he ruffled his shoes and he then began to count one step at a time. When he reached one hundred steps he would look behind. He saw nothing but trees and shrubs. He then counted another one hundred steps to gain ground. He only knew how to count to one hundred, so he repeated himself again and again. Counting steps seemed to work.

      After some time. Fergus became tired of counting one hundred steps, so he stopped and reached to gather his Map. He was trying to find the direction he should take. The first stop before reaching the Earth Element was what appeared to be a farming community. A day’s walk he thought. He placed his Map back into his knee-high sock. Without the telling tree, Fergus would have to rely on his Grandfather’s teachings. Fergus learnt by reading the shadow of any tree. He could tell how West was to his left, East was to his right, and the waters always ran downstream headed South. The waters told him what direction North was. Though, he was able to find his way with the sun rising from the East and setting to the West. Upon viewing his Map once more, Fergus needed to walk North.

      Something startled Fergus though. He could hear a horse coming from behind. He found solace in some bushes. Before he knew it. A horse with an unknown figure in a dark green velvet robe rode straight past him. The rider did not seem to know Fergus was there, and if the stranger did know he was hiding, he did not let on. Fergus did not know what to think of the stranger. He did dress stately Fergus thought. Yet, this did not deter Fergus thinking how it was of no importance to him, so he continued on walking.

      After three palm shadows shortening from the left Fergus felt surprised. He stumbled across a track which looked as though it was used often. It headed in the direction he was travelling. He began to think though how he may have taken a longer path, or that he was becoming lost. This left him feeling a little less confident.

      While then trekking for some time, he sighed with relief. He found the river shown on the Map. This river showed to be the one that passed through his Gully. He found comfort in the river because he thought how the fish were the same as he would eat for dinner in the Gully.

      With much determination Fergus thought. “Head down, chin up”, and he continued forward. Fergus was not expecting the sun to be beaming down so hard, leaving Fergus to wish he had packed a straw brimmed hat. He also had the need to quench his thirst. He often filled his flask of water. As he was filling his flask for the fourth time, he could hear children laughing.

      Out of curiosity, Fergus headed in the direction of the laughs. Hiding himself from view, he saw many children playing in the water. It was not like he had never seen children before, as there were many in his Gully. Though, Fergus stopped and questioned. ‘what should he do next?’ This would be his first ever interaction with someone beyond his home Gully.

      “Are you alright Sir,” Fergus heard, scaring the wits from him.

      He looked about, while not knowing what to expect. Fergus then turned to see the most beautiful girl he had ever viewed. He felt startled. She looked like what Fergus thought a Goddess would look. He thought she would be more beautiful than a Goddess. Her long flowing auburn hair that rolled with vigor down to her waist. Her pale skin glowed in the sun. And her striking large, piercing black eyes, captivated Fergus’s full attention. She also had the most attractive large red lips, as with her teeth; beaming as white as white. She was slender and moved with much grace. And, as for Fergus being known to attract the girls in the Gully. This stranger too thought Fergus was very handsome.

      It took little time though. For the mysterious stranger to notice how Fergus, had one light blue eye, and the other a vibrant dark green eye. Along with his honey brown skin and pure black hair. It was unknown to Fergus. But his presence captivated this very beautiful girl’s attention.

      “Oh, sorry, I did not mean to disrupt you,” Fergus said with a hiccup. “I found a path heading in the direction I am travelling. The river will show me the way. And also, I need some water; I am so thirsty,” but, before Fergus could say another word the girl began to laugh at him.

      “What is wrong?” Fergus asked feeling embarrassed.

      “Are you ok? You have the hiccups between every second word you speak,” the girl asked.

      Fergus did not answer, and coughed five times to clear his hiccups. He did not know how to react. This beautiful girl being his very first ever stranger. He had ever spoken to beyond his Gully, and she was laughing at him.

      “You are also talking quick and you appear to be so nervous,” the girl replied. “Where do you come from?”

      “I come from South of here,” Fergus answered. “I was walking, and found this path.”

      The girl was quick to ask. “You have never been here before, have you?”, knowing fair well she had not ever seen him pass through ‘Penny Lane’.

      “No,” Fergus mumble, coughing five times again as he thought the girl may be making fun of him still.

      “Wow, I am looking at someone who comes from the ‘Hidden Gully’,” The girl said. While laughing at Fergus’s nervousness.

      “The ‘Hidden Gully’,” Fergus asked.

      “Story has it, there is a medium sized community who live in a Gully some time away from here. And who have never been outside their very borders.” The girl explained. “I bet; you have never been out of your borders?”

      Fergus agreed, “I have lived in the Gully all my life. Everything I have ever wanted was there. I had no reason to want to leave. But my best friend’s Uncle would come from out of the borders. So, we were aware there was life beyond our boundaries,” Fergus explained.

      “Until now,” the girl replied. “Well then, welcome to Penny Lane. My name is Alarice.”

      “Hi, nice to meet you,” Fergus replied with a charming voice. “My name is Fergus, Fergus Farringdon the Second.”

      “What type of name is Fergus Farringdon the Second?” Alarice asked.

      Feeling uncomfortable again in her presence. Fergus answered, “It was handed down to me from my Grandfather,” and he said those words with pride.

      “Oh,” said Alarice while still looking Fergus over from head to toe.

      “Well, you are not the first to pass through our little community today. There was a horseman in a dark green robe. Who-ever it was, they rode straight through. Did not say a word. It was like nothing I have ever seen before,” Alarice explained.

      “The very same horseman passed me in a hurry, also,” Fergus replied.

      “Oh, well. Anyhow, what brings you to these parts of the districts?” Alarice asked.

      “I am trying to get to farming lands North of here,” Fergus replied. “If I follow