Chapter 1 - The lonely bird (Part 1)

It was that bird again. It always sang at this hour. In the same place. He liked to think it was looking for its long-lost mate, but who knew; maybe it was something else. Maybe it was just him making stories again.

The wind moved delicately through the leaves, making them dance against together. The remaining drops falling on his nose. It was the only source of relief on this hot day. Even the birds that usually flew around happily were hiding under the shadows.

He sighed and wiped the water dripping down his face.

"Sorin!" A deep and warm voice called out to him. The singing bird flew away, leaving him in a peaceful silence.

With eagerness, he jumped from the wooden stairs, picked up the old bag that was resting at his feet and ran towards the voice. A big smile was present on his face, his heart beating wildly. The ground was still slippery from the earlier drizzle, but how could he care when happiness was all that he felt?

Ahead was a short man with kind eyes, dressed in thick clothes despite the warm weather.

"Pa." Sorin yelled happily. Some chickens ran from his way, their wings fluttering desperately as they tried to escape the nonthreatening giant.

He stopped in front of his father, panting, the smile still present and his hair ruffled by the wind. Without hesitating, he enveloped the man in a tight hug. He raised him slightly off the ground as the man protested.

"Alright, alright, I get it. You can put me down now." He petted the boy's back, grunting at the tightness of the embrace.

But of course, he didn't listen, holding him for another few moments, until the man started with his usual scolding. Sorin put his father back on his feet, gently, careful not to drop him. His eyes were full of stars as he gazed down at his father. He was bouncing lightly, the happiness difficult to control.

"I will forever be grateful. I will buy you as many umm... Things? As you want. I will even buy some..."

The man raises a hand and shook his head.

"That is enough. You shall not get me anything. I have all I want here. What I wish... Is for you to take care of yourself." He dropped his hand, the warmth of his gaze replaced by a deep worry and hesitancy. "Please, Sorin."

The boy took his father's hand into his own and squeezed it reassuringly. The warmth of that hardworking hand acting like an anchor he was too afraid to lose.

"I promise pa. I will be careful, and I will send you letters every week..."

"Two times a week." His voice was stern, but Sorin knew him too well to know he wasn't angry.

Sorin chuckled and nodded. "Two times a week then."

But before they could talk more, a cart pulled in front of their yard. A strong couch made them both turn.

"George, let your son come already." He waved his hand, trying to fight the surrounding flies. "Not my fault if he doesn't catch the train." The man in the cart yelled, taking off his hat and using it instead of the hand.

The father sighed and looked up at him again. He looked like he wanted to say so much more instead, he pushed his son lightly.

Sorin didn't wait too long and ran towards the gate and threw it open, making it creak loudly, too loudly. His father always scolded him for that; Sorin hoped his life will be spared this time. He jumped on the cart with so much happiness that it swayed under his feet. The horse grunted, stepping back and then trying to stay put.

"Oooiii fucker, you think these old planks of wood are made for you to jump on them?" The man in the cart looked ready to jump on him. The hat looking like a weapon the man was ready to use.

Sorin only laughed and patted his shoulder.

"Sorry Matei, I am too excited. I am going to the city. How can I NOT be happy?" He leaned forward, patted the back of the horse as an apology, and then sat on the weeping weed.

Matei scratched the back of his head and then looked towards George.

"At least this village will be quieter now." He said with a smirk on his face, but then the cart moved again, the horse still struggling to find its balance. "If your son destroys my cart, you will pay." He pointed a finger towards George, but Sorin slapped it away.

"Do not worry about that, Matei. If that happens, I will pay for it." He pointed proudly at his chest.

The other two remained silent; looking at him with unimpressed expressions, Matei scoffed and grabbed the reins.

"What?" Sorin was confused, but no one responded to him, instead Matei turned the cart, making the rocks hit against each other.

George stepped toward the moving cart, as if he was trying to get in or maybe stop it.

"Be careful Sorin! If something happens, you come back home." He said with the same worry in his voice.

Sorin looked back at his father, waving with happiness. "Do not worry, everything will be fine. Take care of yourself."

And then George finally stopped following the cart. He remained there, waving as the distance between them was getting larger and larger.

Sorin remained like that, watching as his father became smaller and smaller, still waving. And then slowly, with every moment passing, with every rock jumping behind the cart, every dust raising, his father diminished. With one last turn, the small figure of his father disappeared behind a tree.

Sorin's hand remained in the air, letting the wind brush against his sweaty palm, and then he let it fall. He didn't want to look ahead; it felt like he was leaving his father behind, abandoning him, turning his back to him.

"Do not worry, the old man will be alright. He is a strong fella'"

Sorin finally turned around.

"Yeah, I know. Still doesn't make it better. Just the thought of leaving him alone..." He shook his head, unable to say more.

Matei only laughed and then waved his hand angrily at the flies.

"Yeah, as if he could ever escape me."

Sorin remained silent.

Matei bumped his shoulder.

"Come on, kid, relax. I will visit him every day. Plus, he often goes to the market or goes to the church to argue with that stupid priest." He made a turn again, passing a bar where the people stared after them. "He will be just fine."

They continued in silence, and then Matei clears his throat.

"Tell me something about the place you will live in. Is it a relative or a friend? Do I know them?"

"Nahh." Sorin relaxed slightly, happy with the change of topic. "I don't know them."

This caught Matei's attention. "Huh? So how... how did you find this person?"

Sorin hummed, thinking how best to explain the situation. "Well, my father has a friend who has a friend that knows someone who is looking for a roommate."

Matei scratched his head with the base of the whip, trying to connect every dot.

"So, you will leave with a stranger."

"Exactly." He leaned back with a small smile.

He was sad to leave his father behind, but the idea of going and living in a city, filled his heart with reluctant happiness. It was a dream come true.

They continued in silence, passing by old houses and a few sleeping bars. Dogs barked, running after the cart. Sorin looked at the hills, and he could see a shepherd with a flock of sheep.

Occasionally, the cart jumped on the rocky road; the planks groaning at the aggressive movement. Usually, this would have annoyed him, but this time, he didn't care. Just let it happen.

Then finally, the cart came to a stop in front of the train station. An old, rusty thing with a few people sitting on the sun heated benches, while other were seeking shelter at the shadow of a tree.

Happiness brightened Sorin's face again, those eager, curious eyes moving from a place to another, from face to face. Without waiting too much, he got down with eagerness. Some rocks jumping as his feet hit the dusty ground. He continued to look around with a big smile. The place was a poor sight, truly, but for him it represented a new beginning.

Behind him, Matei coughed.

"Be careful, kid. Your father needs you well and happy." With these last words, he turned the cart and left, dust and rocks acting as a thick veil as it got further away.

Now left alone, Sorin looked at the grass between the train tracks. A small bird was jumping in search of food. Its small head tilting right and left, up and down. As soon as Sorin's shadow darkened the world around it, the bird flew, leaving behind a feather.