BE MY FRIEND, WOULD YOU?

"Hey Zach wake up" Charles said rubbing his head, he groaned in pain. Zach still unsure of whatever happened look around and found the bear lying on the floor, dead. He's really shock and confused. " Did he do that" he thought, he couldn't ask his father if he sees any man around, because he wouldn't believe him if he said a voice helped them. He pick up his quiver and bow, looking at the bear again, he didn't see any mark like a Knife Stab or arrow on the bear. " How did he do that" he said thinking out loud,

" Do what?" Charles asked staring at his son confusedly, " what you talking about Zach" he ask again.

" Uhm, I'm ....tal...talking...about the bear" he stuttered " I was asking why he did that, like, why did he attack us". Charles shrugged his shoulder " I don't know, maybe he's being aggressive 'cause we are in his territory, Bears can really be overprotective sometimes" he said.

" Well, we should thank God we didn't die, I never imagine being a dinner to fat ass black bear " Charles said jokingly making the atmosphere filled with their echoes of laughter, amidst laughter Zach struggle to spill out some words " Dinner is eating dinner" both burst into another round of laughter.

"Ugh" Charles sighed wiping off a little bit of tear hanging on his eye. " We should check it out" he suggest. Pulling out his big knife he walk slowly to the dead bear, poking it with his knife, he examine the bear's body and frown his face.

"But what could have killed it" he thought " there's no wound on it's body, no arrow or a knife stab, how did it die?" He said pulling a strand out of his hair.

Zach couldn't help but think about the voice he heard earlier, how did he safe us and how did he do it keep lingering in his mind. " If I'd seen him I would have thank him and ask his name but he's not gonna say it" he thought. Something hit him from the back and he gave out a little cry " ouch" he yelled " that's painful"

" What you thinking, I've been calling your name since eternity" Charles said trying to pull the bear. " A little help here" he groaned. They pull the bear along the road, straining and flexing their muscles

"Dad, would the bear fit in Mr. Jaz?" Zach asked, looking at his father.

"Yeah, it would. And stop calling my truck Mr. Jaz, you idiot," his father replied.

"Well, it's as old as Mr. Jaz, actually older now," Zach continued to tease.

They pull the bear to the truck and couldn't lift it in the truck. Zach groaned " What now?" He said " how do we put it in the truck?" He asked.

Charles wipe off the sweat on his face, breathing heavily, he pick up his knife " I need to find a bunny, we'll find a way to put this in later"

" I'll follow you" Zach said, and they went in search of a bunny.

After some minute they caught a bunny, hurried to the truck.

" Put the bunny in the truck, and let's carry this" Charles said handing the bunny over to Zach

Thankfully the bear is not that heavy as they thought, or Zach's is getting a help without knowing.

After getting the bear on old truck, Charles started the car, the old truck, it's engine coughing and sputtering zoom off.

******************

The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the yard. Phil was lost in a peaceful slumber, rocked gently by his weathered chair. Junior, oblivious to the world around him, was engrossed in a battle with a colony of soldier ants, his tiny hands mimicking the movements of a seasoned warrior. Inside the house, Margaret was busy tidying up, her soft humming filling the air.

Suddenly, the tranquil scene was disrupted by the distant sound of a truck horn. Phil's eyelids fluttered open, his ears perked up. Junior, startled by the noise, abandoned his ant warfare and dashed towards the front yard, curiosity piqued. Margaret, pausing her chores, hurried to the door, a look of concern etched on her face.

As the truck rumbled into view, a cloud of dust enveloped the yard. The vehicle, an old, battered pickup, came to a halt, its engine sputtering and wheezing. The driver's side door swung open, and Charles emerged, his face etched with fatigue. Behind him, Zach struggled to unload a large, tarp-covered object.

"What in tarnation is that?" Phil asked, his voice filled with curiosity and a hint of worry.

"It's a bear, Pa," Charles replied, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "We killed it in the woods. It attacked us"

Margaret gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief. "A bear? You brought a dead bear home?"

" Did it hurt you" she ask with concern checking Charles' body and Zach's

"Yeah, we thought it might come in handy," Zach explained, his voice filled with youthful enthusiasm. "We could skin it and use the fur for coats, and the meat for food."

Phil scratched his head, his mind racing. "Well, I suppose it could be useful. But we'll need a bigger freezer to store all that meat."

Margaret rolled her eyes. "And what about the smell? We'll have the whole neighborhood complaining."

Despite their concerns, the family went to work, hauling the bear into the barn. Junior, wide-eyed with wonder, followed closely behind, eager to help. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the yard in twilight, the family gathered around the barn door, their faces illuminated by the dim light of a kerosene lamp.

The sight of the massive bear, its fur matted and lifeless, filled them with a strange mix of awe and unease. They knew that the days ahead would be filled with hard work and challenges, but they also felt a sense of satisfaction, knowing that they had provided for their family.

"Zacchaeus!!!"

" Yeah what"

"What? Who you talking to Zach" Margaret asked confused

" You called me....n..now" he said confusedly

" No I didn't "

"Alright" he said surrendering

He continued skinning the bear, devoting his attention on it, but was distracted by the voice again calling out to him but this time in a whisper gently blowing air to his ear like the person is behind him. He suddenly look back and didn't see anybody, he get a little nervous " I'm just hallucinating " he assure himself getting of the Scaredy hunting voice.

This time louder in his eardrum, sending a tingling but painful sensation to his ear, making him strain his head trying to hold back the pain without being noticed. He dropped his knife and clean his hand

" Excuse me, I think I need a glass of water, I'll be back" he lied. He rushed out the barn to his room, trying to calm himself and figure out whatever is calling out his name.

Slumping on the Comfy bed, pulling out his shoes and shirt to get a rest and cool his head off.

Suddenly he felt a tiny creature nibbling at his feet, he thought it was probably a rat or cockroach, he raise his leg up trying to slam it on whatever the thing is, but he got his leg hanging in mid air holded by something. Suddenly the little creature turned into a man, his figure cloaked in a long, flowing black robe. His face, partially obscured by a wide-brimmed hat, was pale and gaunt, with sharp, angular features. Yet, his eyes, a piercing shade of emerald green, held an undeniable allure, drawing the gaze of anyone who dared to meet their intensity.

A faint aura of mystery surrounded him, a subtle energy that hinted at hidden depths and untold power. His hair, long and raven-black, fell in loose waves, partially covering his broad shoulders. Beneath the robe, a lean, muscular physique was evident, a stark contrast to his gaunt appearance. With each step, he exuded an air of confidence and control, his seductive gaze sweeping the room, leaving those who met it feeling both intrigued and intimidated. Zach really scared and intimidated got stuck at his spot trembling, trying to force some words out of his mouth but couldn't , he keep staring at the man without blinking " I'm gonna die" he whisper. The man bent over offering his hand to Zach " I'm do not mean any harm, my friend" the man said, assuring Zach safety. Unsure of the man's word, Zach's reluctantly hold the man's hand and got up the floor.

" Who are you" Zach asked, trying to regain his confidence and breath

" I am Kael" he replied.

" What do you want from me " Zach asked still scared.

" You don't need to be scared Zach, I'm a friend"

With the mention of his name, Zach was more than stunned. He stuttered trying to form some sentence out of his mouth " How....how...did. you know my name, I didn't remember telling you my name" he finally spill it out

Kael chuckle, he threw his arm out and a majestic Chair appear before him, he sat down and point at the bed for Zach to sit down.

" Well again, I'm Kael, I'm an Angel of Justice, I help people out of their hard time and when they need help" he lied

" But Angels are white as I heard"

"Yes, angels are white, but I am on a mission and I can't let my cover be blown that I'm an Angel, so I turn this to avoid suspicion" he said

" Okay, so what you want from me" Zach ask, a little bit comfortable now.

" I'm here to help you, I wanna be your friend" he said " You know, like, help you with things you need sorted out, I can help you fix things "

Zach frown his face, not believing the man he quizzed " And why would you help me, and I never said I need anything"

Kael stand up from his seat, turning the chair all over, sending it spinning on a spot.

" You can need help anytime my friend, it's not until then should you be my friend or come to you" he said " I can get you many things, you've ever desire, you want a house, a car, girlfriend" he smiled " and what about a baseball bat, I can get anything for ya" he said swinging his arms, demonstrating a baseball playing.

" Okay, so you can give me whatever I want" Zach ask " and how do I believe you"

Kael stretch out his hand and a baseball bat appeared at his hand, he hand it over to Zach " it's the most beautiful bat I've ever seen" Zach said surprised

Kael shrugged his shoulder and said arrogantly " There are lot more I can do, anything you want friend, as long as you do whatever I want too"

The overjoyed Zach not thinking about what he meant by the word simply nod in affirmation. He ahd never believe in Angels but he do now.

He felt a gentle touch on his arm and a little voice calling out his name

"Shark!!!" Junior shouted, " Wake up it's time for dinner"

He suddenly feel drawn by a force, pulling him out of his Jolly friendship moment, he rub his eyes, yawning at the same time. He look down his head and saw Junior, his little eyes always pleading.

" It's time for dinner Shark" he said again pulling his trouser. Zach get off his bed, feeling a wooden substance hitting his leg, he look down and saw a baseball bat, he looks confused "I thought it was all a dream" he said " Are angels actually real and they black" he question himself

Junior pull his shirt again and drag him to the door leading him to the dinner table.

The table was filled with a different sense of aroma that night, the meat and the vegs are appealing

The family ate to their fill, and everyone went to the wonderland after the dinner.