The Journey
By Brian King
Copyright 2011 Brian King
Smashwords Edition
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com to purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.
A thick mist hovered in the air, and gigantic mountains reached up to touch a cold, gray sky. With his hands folded in front of him, a young boy sat alone on a large rock that was covered at its base with green twisting vines. Whipping by, a strong gust of wind carried with it the aroma of plants, grass, and the towering trees. A voice inside of the boy said, YOU ARE INDEED A YOUTH, and you must begin your journey of life along one of two trails.
Youth scanned the vast area of land before him. As he gazed, he located on his left a steep, narrow trail set against a mountain. This path intimidated him. It looked cold, dark, and frightening. Next glancing to his right, Youth’s hazel colored eyes quickly halted in their movement when they spotted a group of children in a circle at the start of the second trail. The path was on a decline, and it appeared wide and safe. Laughter coming from the children called to Youth, tempting him to join them. Running a hand over his blue cap, an older boy, the Leader of the group of children pointed to the wide path that he stood in front of. One by one the kids in the circle stood up and nodded their heads in agreement with the Leader. They were to follow the wide trail.
Perched on the boulder, with vines wrapping around it like snakes, Youth watched as the manager of the group swiftly approached him. The Leader, stopped a few feet in front of the young boy, stared deeply into his eyes, and then pointed proudly to his followers. Surprisingly when he spoke, he had the voice of a man. It was low, aged, and threatening.
“You, like us, must get to the village in the distance; for it is to be your journey in life. It would be very wise for you to follow my group along the trail that is located to your right. Your only other option would be to take the trail on your left, climbing up the mountain. Unfortunately, very few travelers have ever made it half way up the beast, let alone to its top. If you foolishly decide to travel along the path up the mountain, you will not be in my security, but be assured that you will have companions. The darkness for one, will cover you like a blanket, but don’t expect it to provide you with warmth from the icy climb that you will attempt to endure. The wind, sleet, and snow will also be with you, a far cry from the pleasant comforting sunshine that our path can provide you.”
The Leader, whose deep, booming voice caused Youth to lean back against the rock, stood motionless. The young boy tried to say something, but was shaking far too much to utter a single syllable. Another burst of wind flew by, nearly blowing Youth from his perch, so he gripped tightly to the sides of the rock.
“Well, what will your choice be?” the Leader barked.
“Um, if I go with you?” Youth started.
“Yes, yes, what is it? Come on, make it quick,” the Leader shouted impatiently, waving a tightly held fist in the air. The sky suddenly darkened around them, and not from a setting sun, but instead from black clouds that were zooming across the heavens like racecars on a track.
“If I do go with you, can I stop and rest, and eat when I want, and speak my mind?”
“Nonsense! If you follow me, you will heed every single word I say. No other voice will hold any merit over mine. It is your choice. All of my followers have been wise to decide on trailing behind me.” The Leader moved closer to Youth and continued preaching as a bolt of lightning attacked a tree behind him.
“We all take our first breath in this life, and in time we use up our last. You decide if you want to inhale the ease of a clear, secure path, or gasp for air along a dangerous, risky trail. If you choose the security of my group, you will have to surrender your individuality to me, but in turn I will see to it that you have a safe and simple trip.”
Youth wrestled for a decision with the options that dangled before him. In an effort to feel some comfort he closed his eyes, but instead of relaxing the only thing he felt was the hot breath of the Leader, causing goose bumps to pop up on his skin. Inside of the boy, a fierce battle erupted. It started in the pit of his stomach, worked its way up through his chest and neck, and then flowed down his arms and legs. Frigid cold and blazing heat fought each other, tumbling within Youth. The heat represented his desire and drive, and the cold was a reminder of all the evil that this boy was fighting against.
Rising quickly from the rock, he opened his eyes and focused on the group of children. They were standing in a circle, and by this time the Leader had returned to them. Staring closely at the group, the young boy noticed that every child was the same. They all wore a blank lifeless expression on their faces. Youth watched as the Leader walked his group to the path of least resistance. All of the young children then turned around with the Leader and looked up at Youth, waving their hands, beckoning him to join them.
The battle of temperature inside of Youth raged on, and finally the scorching heat overtook the ice cold that tried to freeze his blood. He knew that if he let the cold overtake him, and he joined the group, his life would be controlled. He would be a mere puppet on a string. So he let the blaze rage deep within him, and he started toward the trail on his left, away from the group and away from the Leader. More numbing than the frosty chill that he was fighting within himself, was the air at the entrance of Youth’s chosen trail. It was dark, and windy, and cold, so very, very, cold. Youth heard the group of children and their Leader laughing, so he stole a quick glance back, and caught them skipping and caroling down their simple path…