CHAPTER 7

“Run. Run, run. I can't hurt them or anyone else if I'm not there. I wish I would have stayed in that cave.” Champ berated himself as he ran into town, down the same busy thoroughfare he was just in a few minutes ago according to his mother. The same shops and night market greeted him. The same faces and groups. He was almost hysterical from what had just transpired.

“I need to find a doctor, “ Champ thought as he rounded a corner.

He turned in his belabored sprint bumped into someone and fell backward onto his rear. It was like running into a wall. He looked up to see what or who he ran into. His hands stung from catching his fall. His brown eyes were puffy and red, Champ looked up and saw a familiar face. It was that nondescript, slightly unkempt man from the shop, the branded man.

“Funny running into you here kid, well I guess you ran into me technically,” the man said, he peered down at Champ and extended a hand to help him up.

“Please help sir my mom is hurt” Champ pleaded tears and fear crowded his face as he spoke.

Puzzlement filled the stranger's mind seeing Champ this way, he thought to himself-

“This kid was so full of life and personality a few minutes ago, what the hell happened?”

“Lead the way kid” The slightly jovial tune to his voice vacated and only dryness remained. Champ knew in that instant that the man meant business.

The two of them ran as hard and as fast as they could back to Champ's house. They Pushed through crowds and cut through properties. When they finally made it back, Champ's father was readying a horse and a cart.

“Oh thank the brand you’re here champ” his father cried out.

“Help me get your mother on the cart so we can take her to the doctor near the edge of town.”

Champ turned to the stranger and then back to his father.

The stranger spoke up “I think I can help take me to her”

Champ's father rushed the stranger into the house

“Stay here Champ! Don't run off again just stay put!”

The cold air blew all around Champ, it rustled the leaves of the forest nearby. Champ sat in the wooden cart that was used to haul goods to and from the shop. The air refreshed him, but it carried the faint smell of charred wood with it, and that caused Champ’s heart to ache. Champ thought about running away a few times. A neat little coping mechanism he picked up over the years. When things got too hard or people became too mean, Champ felt it was easier to just leave it alone and be by himself somewhere else, somewhere new. But for his father's sake, and his mother's he stayed. He felt responsible for this after all.

Roughly over an hour had passed from the time Champ was told to wait before his father came out. Lance exited the quaint little home at the edge of town and walked on the dirt pathway towards Champ. Champ hopped off and sprinted towards Lance, Champs' heart quickened with each step.

“Is she okay Dad? Are you okay? Was the man able to help? I'm sorry- I don't know what happened I just -” Champ stammered out

“Easy boy, easy.” Champ's father put a comforting hand on the top of his head.

“What happened today is beyond words, and it was beyond your control. Take a breath, Champine.”

He waited a moment to see if the Champ would calm down a bit. He did. And Lance continued-

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“She's alive.”

Champ fell to his knees, a massive weight left his gut and shoulders, and tears fell from his cheeks and onto the soft cold dirt below. His father squatted down next to Champ and continued,

“But she's messed up good Champ, she's scared and confused and worried. Tears welled up in Lance's eyes and his voice quivered-

“Her arms gone buddy. She's resting now but she wants to see you before she sleeps more.”

Champ turned pale and got to his feet as best he could. He stared at his father with wet red eyes, hung his head, and walked towards the tiny home.

Inside, the stranger Champ brought home stood next to Bethanie. She was in her bed, covered up in fresh sheets, and had a wet rag on her forehead. The once quaint married couple's bedroom looked like an operation room. Various bandages and clothes soaked in water or blood were strewn about on the hardwood floor.

“I'll give you guys some time alone to catch up. When you guys are done, I'll be in the living room for a chat.” The stranger said to both Champ and Champ's father Lance.

He left out the doorway and down the hall. Leaving the family together once again. Champ walked sheepishly to the right side of the bed. His mother looked at him with a weak smile.

“How can she smile even after all of this?” Champ thought. He spoke out “Hey ma, I'm so sorry I didn't want for this to happen I just - Champ’s rambling was cut off as his mother shushed him.

“Shhh. It's okay dear, things are changing around us. You did good by finding that man. Things just happen champ. They can be shitty at times but they can also be good. No one died, we can focus on that for now. This is going to be a tough time for you and I'm sorry that I won't be there to help you through it Champ.” Her voice was weak and grew weaker as she spoke. Champ interrupted-

“Ma rest you are too banged up to” Champ's father Lance spoke over him

“Listen up boy and listen well” Lance looked to Bethany and she smiled in thanks. Bethany continued.

“We can't help with this right now Champ and word is bound to get out soon and there's a big chance another accident could happen. We can't risk that. We can't risk the safety of the people here in Parish or, more importantly, your safety Champ.” Tears welled in her eyes and she turned to Lance.

Lance shuffled a bit awkwardly and replaced Bethany's rag on her forehead with a fresh one.

“Rest up honey, it's alright. I'll tell him.”

“Tell me what,” Champ asked puzzled

“We gotta keep everyone safe boy, and like your mom said, more importantly, you. And the best way to do that is to have you go with Mr.Simon”

“Simon?”Champ said bewildered. “Whose that, and what do you mean to send me away? It was an accident I swear! It won't happen again we can all just hide up here for a few days til mom's better and we can just hide somewhere else-”

“CHAMPINE Think a little bit here okay?”

His father never really yelled much. Hardly ever. There were a few times when grifters would travel through and threaten a few of the townsfolk of Parish. Lance put an end to that quickly. A great booming voice could've given that thunder from earlier a run for its money.

“Her whole god's damned arm has come off! And you think a few days are gonna be enough? Let's say that we do stay and your mom recovers enough to be around the shop. Do you think people here won't get a little suspicious that she suddenly doesn't have an arm? Besides Your mom knows half the damn town. They'll come around here sooner looking to see if she's okay. A few of those people might be suspicious and think some brand activity had something to do with it. God knows everyone in this town wants a little bit of the King's coin or even just the chance of it. And all it takes is one little tip and they are richer, and the king's court comes in with their brand hounds and then you are in danger. This is the way it has to be, no one's happy about it. We love you and just want what's best for you.” Lance was exhausted and heartbroken and it showed in the deep wrinkles on his forehead.

Champ sat there for a moment and soaked in every word his father said to him. He took in their faces. Remembered each line of age. The color of their hair. Clinged on to their smells, faint cedar, and juniper berries. In his heart of hearts, Champine knew this was the last time he'd see his parents for quite some time. His face contorted with grief. He resolved his face and spoke up.

“I understand. I was dumb to say that I'm just- I just want it to be different. I'm just scared guys, so damn scared. I don't know why you guys are afraid of the Crown knowing... I could be a hero for everyone here, serving the country! That is what the professors at school say at least. But I don't want anything else to happen to us, so if it means I can't see you guys for a while.”

Champ's throat knotted up. He swallowed hard and continued.

“Then I'll do it. I'm old enough to know what needs to be done. I guess, I'm just not old enough to just be fine with doing it.'' Champ squeezed the sides of his pants with anxiety and looked at both of his parents.

They huddled around Bethany in her bed and embraced each other in a farewell no family should have to make. A farewell of unfortunate circumstances.