Where the Sidewalk Ends (the story) - Part 5

Kayden’s eyes crack open at the soft laugh that reaches his ears. For a second, his sleepy mind thinks it’s Jace, and he grins. But as his surroundings come into focus, the events of what happened rush back, and he bolts upright in his cot.

The laugh sounds again, more of a giggle actually, and he whips his head toward the tent’s entrance.

A dirty face with a gap tooth smile greets him. “Hiya! Remember me?”

“I saw you yesterday. Why wouldn’t I remember you?” His grumpy reply doesn’t dim Dove’s smile.

She shrugs, pushing her way further into the tent. “Einith told me to let you sleep, but I figured you’d be awake, and I was right!”

Kayden doesn’t point out he had still been sleeping until her laugh woke him. “What do you want, Dove?”

“I’m your tour guide! Or, well, Einith said I could show you around the camp as long as you’re okay with it.” Her face scrunches up in dislike at the last part, and Kayden stifles a snort.

“Sure, why not?” Kayden can’t help but chuckle when she flashes him another gap-toothed grin.

“Great! I know everyone in camp and what they do! I’ll probably be able to answer all your questions! Come on, I have a lot to show you!”

Kayden holds up his hands, trying to still Dove’s excitement. “Hey, give me a sec, would ya? Get out so I can put my clothes on. Then you’ll need to take me to Einith first. I think she’s gonna wanna hear what I have to say.”

****

As he follows Dove through the camp to find Einith, the intoxicating smell of the morning air nearly changes his mind to go back to the city. It’s only the thought of Jace that keeps Kayden from turning around.

Einith’s eyes brighten when Kayden tells her his decision, and she places a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently. “I truly know how hard this choice was for you. Thank you.”

Kayden’s face flushes and he nods his head. “It won’t be forever, so no big deal.”

“Yeah, he’ll probably be back in a week!” Dove’s face is also flushed as she stares at Kayden with gigantic eyes. “You’re very brave, you know! Even I wouldn’t step foot behind those walls, and I crawled into a bear’s den once! At least, I’m pretty sure it was a bear’s den. No one was home, but it stank like bear!”

“Don’t be showing Kayden any bear dens today, got it? Stay close to camp and be back for the mid-day meal,” Einith clucks.

Dove rolls her eyes. “I wasn’t gonna!”

Kayden has no idea what a bear is, but he has no interest in seeing one today, anyway.

Dove is as good as her word as she leads him around the camp, pointing out what each building is for. Kayden had met most of the residents during the meal last night and they had seemed friendly enough. But when Dove tells them he’s going back to the city, half smiles turn into full-on grins, and he receives more than one slap on the back.

He's treated with a hot slice of fresh bread slathered in butter and honey, by the baker and a spicy but delicious drink by the brewmaster. Everyone tells them how thankful they are, and a few make sure he knows they would have welcomed him either way.

“Come on, I’ll introduce you to Tipsy. That’s one of the guard dogs and she had puppies! They’re sooooo adorable! Pa said I might get to take one home! They’re a big responsibility but he says I’m ready for it.”

His experience with dogs had always been from a distance. The patrol men to the upper levels sometimes used them, and Kayden had always been wary of the animals.

But his wariness vanishes when he sees the fuzzy pile of squirming pups. Even Tipsy wins him over with her sweet tail wags and licks to his face.

They spend nearly an hour playing with the puppies, and by the time they leave, Kayden’s in love.

“I bet Einith would let you have one, too, if you ask.” Dove goes on to explain all the benefits of having your own dog and Kayden can’t help but imagine his future with one.

His future had always been a grey fog in his mind. Daily routine after daily routine with nothing to brighten the horizon.

Now, his thoughts are full of colour. Of the promise of warmth and friendship… community. It was exhilarating.

Kayden experiences many firsts throughout the day, and stories from both Dove and the others about Verdant pique his interest. The pictures they paint of the place are in stark contrast to what he knows a city to be.

“You’ll probably move there when you get back! Tallia, that’s our leader, will probably give you a house anywhere you want as thanks for helping us!” Dove claps her hands in excitement as they head toward the group hall for the mid-day meal.

“We’ll see, I guess.” Kayden shakes his head at her enthusiastic rambling. Dove was smart, but she also liked to embellish things, so he didn’t put too much stock in everything she said.

“My pa will probably let me visit you. We live in the city most of the time, but he travels between camps when they need help with hunts. He’s the best huntsman in Verdant, ya know! That’s where he is now, out on a hunt. He’ll want to meet you when he gets back.” She babbles the rest of the way, but Kayden doesn’t mind.

Jace might have been like her if he’d grown up in a place like this. Allowed to dream. Allowed to use his imagination. The thought of his friend brings the usual melancholy ache to his heart. Oh well, I’ll do what I can to change things now.

Resolute, Kayden squares his shoulders, ready to put this plan into motion.

The sooner I start, the sooner I can get back!

Authors note: Please see below for the next part in this series. Thanks for reading!