Buffalo-t
07-10-2015, 08:12 PM
Hi I am new to this forum and a novice writer, please let me know what you guys think as I am hungry to learn more!
He had been out all day collecting mushrooms, so far the amount he had gatherd was very few, no where near as much as what he got last year. He paused for a moment to appreciate the light shining through the green canopy. Summer was not his favourite time of year but he did apreciate the way the Sun ray's reflected down on the vibrantly coloured leaves. He watched A Squirrel bounding up a tree trunk,no doubt running away from some threat that did not exist, leaping up the base like it was some how defying gravity.
Now aproaching his mid 70's Arthur was not any where near as able as he had once been. He used to be strong but now he struggled to bend over to cut the chanterelles he was foraging for, and the small crate he was carrying to put them in grew heavier even when nothing was being added. He sighed as he stood up again, holding his hand on his hip as he stretched out his back.
This was one of the last things he could do for himself. He made next to nothing doing this little hobby, but nothing could beat getting out away from the terrible place he was forced to now call home. He wish he could of remained in his city terrace. He had been forced to move into the community housing since retiring, his Daughter and her parasite husband had made this decision for him with out a thought for how he would feel. Just the idea of the son in law made Arthur sick, he would of sorted him out long ago if he had been 20 years younger.
Walking back down the woodland path a young man passed him, he must of been out walking by himself because he did not see a dog with him. He didn't apear to be be much older than 30. The young man took a double take to see what Arthur was doing and when he saw the mushrooms he stopped and asked, "have you found much?"
"No not really", Arthur Replied
He then explained to the man that this years bounty was not half as good as the last.
"Oh so do you do this for a living then?"
"No, I wouldn't be able to make enough to do this full time. The amount I get nowadays wouldn't even pay me the minimum wage."
The youngster seemed friendly enough but something about him reminded Arthur of his son in law, maybe it was his size, they were both over 6 feet tall and the lad, like his daughters husband was a bit over weight too. The conversation remained pleasant enough but eventually they began to run out of things to say.
Arthur got the distinct feeling the boy was trying to find out information on where the best spots were for picking. Although Arthur was getting old he still was not prepared to give out all his secrets.
The more he spoke to the boy the more he became agitated.
Arthur peered into the woods and pointed his finger at one of the trees, the knife he used to pick the mushrooms shimmered in the sunlight.
"Look over there do you see it?"
The Boy looked in the direction Arthur was pointing, squinting his eyes and using his hand to block out the light so he could see further.
"No I can't see anything."
"I thought I just saw a large bird, possibly a hawk."
"Really?" The boy said excitedly
"Where abouts? I really can't see where your pointing at"
Excellent, Arthur thought to himself, pleased that this had taken his interest.
"If you follow my arm you will be able to see where I am pointing at."
The Boy came in close to try and get a glimpse at the hawk. While searching he did not see Arthur swapping his knife into the other hand.
The deep red liquid sprayed out of the boy's neck like a glorious renaissance fountain. His eyes were one of shock, turning to look at Arthur he did not quite understand what was happening. The old killer proceeded to stab him repeatedly in the same place, blood soaked his brown woollen top and meandered down the ancient lines that inhabited his face. In the past he had always avoided such soakings, taking his time to ensure there would be a minimum amount of mess, but not today, today he embraced it.
The dying young man reached out for him, gargling the life liquid which was coming up from his throat. He fell to his knees and then flat on his face. The remaining breath leaving his body reminding Arthur of an Autumn wind whistling through the trees. That was His favourite time of year, and with that thought and a smile on his face he moved on.
He had been out all day collecting mushrooms, so far the amount he had gatherd was very few, no where near as much as what he got last year. He paused for a moment to appreciate the light shining through the green canopy. Summer was not his favourite time of year but he did apreciate the way the Sun ray's reflected down on the vibrantly coloured leaves. He watched A Squirrel bounding up a tree trunk,no doubt running away from some threat that did not exist, leaping up the base like it was some how defying gravity.
Now aproaching his mid 70's Arthur was not any where near as able as he had once been. He used to be strong but now he struggled to bend over to cut the chanterelles he was foraging for, and the small crate he was carrying to put them in grew heavier even when nothing was being added. He sighed as he stood up again, holding his hand on his hip as he stretched out his back.
This was one of the last things he could do for himself. He made next to nothing doing this little hobby, but nothing could beat getting out away from the terrible place he was forced to now call home. He wish he could of remained in his city terrace. He had been forced to move into the community housing since retiring, his Daughter and her parasite husband had made this decision for him with out a thought for how he would feel. Just the idea of the son in law made Arthur sick, he would of sorted him out long ago if he had been 20 years younger.
Walking back down the woodland path a young man passed him, he must of been out walking by himself because he did not see a dog with him. He didn't apear to be be much older than 30. The young man took a double take to see what Arthur was doing and when he saw the mushrooms he stopped and asked, "have you found much?"
"No not really", Arthur Replied
He then explained to the man that this years bounty was not half as good as the last.
"Oh so do you do this for a living then?"
"No, I wouldn't be able to make enough to do this full time. The amount I get nowadays wouldn't even pay me the minimum wage."
The youngster seemed friendly enough but something about him reminded Arthur of his son in law, maybe it was his size, they were both over 6 feet tall and the lad, like his daughters husband was a bit over weight too. The conversation remained pleasant enough but eventually they began to run out of things to say.
Arthur got the distinct feeling the boy was trying to find out information on where the best spots were for picking. Although Arthur was getting old he still was not prepared to give out all his secrets.
The more he spoke to the boy the more he became agitated.
Arthur peered into the woods and pointed his finger at one of the trees, the knife he used to pick the mushrooms shimmered in the sunlight.
"Look over there do you see it?"
The Boy looked in the direction Arthur was pointing, squinting his eyes and using his hand to block out the light so he could see further.
"No I can't see anything."
"I thought I just saw a large bird, possibly a hawk."
"Really?" The boy said excitedly
"Where abouts? I really can't see where your pointing at"
Excellent, Arthur thought to himself, pleased that this had taken his interest.
"If you follow my arm you will be able to see where I am pointing at."
The Boy came in close to try and get a glimpse at the hawk. While searching he did not see Arthur swapping his knife into the other hand.
The deep red liquid sprayed out of the boy's neck like a glorious renaissance fountain. His eyes were one of shock, turning to look at Arthur he did not quite understand what was happening. The old killer proceeded to stab him repeatedly in the same place, blood soaked his brown woollen top and meandered down the ancient lines that inhabited his face. In the past he had always avoided such soakings, taking his time to ensure there would be a minimum amount of mess, but not today, today he embraced it.
The dying young man reached out for him, gargling the life liquid which was coming up from his throat. He fell to his knees and then flat on his face. The remaining breath leaving his body reminding Arthur of an Autumn wind whistling through the trees. That was His favourite time of year, and with that thought and a smile on his face he moved on.