Chapter 7: Casey

The next morning, Casey woke up feeling emotionally drained. He had spent the night thinking of his father, something he rarely allowed himself to do. The main reason for that was because of the toll it took on his body and mind. Losing someone before their naturally intended to go is a hard thing to swallow. Coping with it is an even harder thing to do.

I need to get ready to go.

Getting up, Casey threw on his favorite green tee, cut-off knee length khakis, and his hiking boots. He had to pack for an overnight journey, so he grabbed another t-shirt and pair of jeans.

With his clothes on and packed, Casey grabbed his father's pocket knife, one of the few things he kept for himself after his father's death, and put it in his pocket. Then he headed to the kitchen to pack up the food he would need to take with him.

Setting his bag on the table, Casey filled up his canteen with water, and poured some soup into a thermos for later, along with a couple rolls of bread. With that packed away, he headed to his mother's room.

Knock Knock Knock!

Casey knocked on her door, but got no response. After waiting a couple more seconds, he decided to just enter anyway.

He saw his mother still asleep, with Noah wrapped in her arms. His little brother was snoring, asleep as well.

Man, I hate to wake them, but I told her I would before I left.

Despite his urge to let them sleep, Casey shook Elena awake.

"Hmmm?" She hummed, already drifting back to sleep.

"Morning, Ma," he greeted her. "I was just saying 'goodbye' before I left."

"Oh," she said, quickly opening her eyes and letting go of her hold on Noah. "I forgot you were leaving."

She sat up at the edge of her bed, her chestnut hair a mess, and rubbed her eyes before looking up at Casey's. They had the same dark brown eyes, unlike Noah, who's eyes were a hazel green, like the father he would never know.

"Did you pack everything you need?" Elena asked.

Casey smiled at his mother, laughing to himself.

No matter how old I get she still treats me like a child.

"Yes, Ma," he answered.

"Are you sure? Did you get some water? And what about a comb or something to brush your hair? You never know who you could meet while you're-"

"I'm only going to be gone a day. My hair will be fine for that long," he chuckled. "And I'm going to be very focused on this trip. I won't be meeting anyone," he emphasized, knowing what his mother was insinuating.

"Besides," he added. "I think you should be more concerned about your hair."

"Oh, just get out of here," Elena shooed, as she felt the mess that was her hair. Casey just laughed, enjoying this moment with his mother.

"Just promise to be careful," she added, as Casey was leaving her room.

"I will!" he promised from their living room.

The last thing he grabbed was some of the money he had saved up from selling the hides of animals he hunted. He hadn't gotten much lately since he wasn't catching any big game, but he had managed to save what he would need. With that tucked away, he grabbed his pack from the kitchen and headed out the front door.

When he was outside, Casey was greeted with a strong wind from the east.

Great. Looks like a storm is brewing.

He ran back inside and grabbed his jean jacket, along with the old umbrella he used to use when he was younger. It was small enough to fit in his bag, so he preferred it over his newer one. Then he ran back out and started his walk to Bartesville.

The only faces he saw as he was leaving LeHorn were those of the farmers out. They were already tending to their crops before the sun was fully up. He waved to the ones that noticed him, but gave most of his attention to his thoughts as he imagined the things he hoped to see in Yorke.

He arrived in Bartesville around noon day, and the first place he went was the pub.

I've been walking for over six hours. I need to sit down and rest, maybe even get something to eat.

Inside there wasn't much going on. Most people didn't start showing up until late at night. That was when all the drunkards tended to show their face. From what he'd heard, that was the norm for pubs all over Western Region. His only experience came from the pubs in Bartesville, and the one in his village.

"Hey!" someone cheered, but Casey couldn't see who. "If it isn't the Graham boy! It's been a while since I last saw the likes of you!" the mystery man declared.

A few seconds later and a burly man with rosey cheeks and ginger hair came into view and Casey felt a certain nostalgia wash over him.

"Marcus!" he exclaimed, excitement exuding from him.

"Haha! It's good to see you again, boy!" Marcus shouted. He came up and gave Casey a huge bear hug before ruffling his curly brown hair.

"Woah woah, easy there, old man," Casey joked.

"What? You got a girl in town you're trying to impress? Gotta look your best or something?!" Marcus teased.

"Ha, you and Ma wish that were the case."

"Yeah, well, that's natural. But, your attitude towards woman, at your age?" he emphasized. "Now that, boy, that's not natural." he added, raising a brow in suspicion. "You got anything you want to tell me?"

"Oh, please. You're joking, right?! Tell me you're joking." Casey said, incredulous, but Marcus kept his questioning look solid as stone.

"Marcus! God, seriously?! I like women! I am attracted to women!" Casey defended. "Come on, I've been with women!"

"You have!?" Marcus asked, surprised.

"Yes, I have. I'm just not focused on that right now," he concluded, shocked at Marcus' line of questioning.

"Mmhmm," Marcus hummed, satisfied. "Well, then, why don't I buy you a drink?"

"It's barely noon, Marcus," Casey said, resting at a booth, still frazzled from before.

"Then I'll buy you lunch!" Marcus offered.

"Well, I won't say 'no' to that," Casey chuckled.

"Good. And then we'll talk about what you're doing here," Marcus said, joining him at his booth.

After the barmen came and took their order, Marcus got right back to his questions.

"So, what's brought you here, lad?" he asked, scratching his ginger beard.

"Well, I actually came to see you," Casey said, resting his back on the booth seat.

"Really?! Well, Casey, I'm flattered, but I just see you as a friend!" Marcus guffawed, his bellowing laugh filling the empty pub.

"Haha, you're so funny," Casey said, rolling his eyes. "I came to buy some hunting traps from you."

"Ah, so you're here for business. I like the sound of that," Marcus smiled. "Tell you what, after we eat we'll head down to my shop. I'll even give you a discount!" He added, generously.

"Well, the discount will have to wait, because I'm just passing through right now. I'm actually headed to Yorke, but I'll be back through here tomorrow before heading home."

"Ah, okay."

"Yeah. I want to get there before dark so I can find a place to board for the night. It looks like there's a storm coming in," Casey shared.

"Well, I know a fella in Yorke by the name of Gordon. Tell him Marcus sent you and he should hook you up with a place to stay. He owes me a favor."

"Oh, that's not necessary, Marcus. I'm sure I can-"

"Just kill it with the humility and say thank you," Marcus quipped.

Casey paused as he looked at the man close enough to be an uncle.

"Thanks," he grinned.

"Anything for Fletcher's boy," Marcus stated.

Casey stiffened just hearing his father's name. It had been so long, but of course Marcus wouldn't hesitate to say it. Him and Casey's father had been business partners, and close friends. And Marcus' last memory of him wasn't of an unrecognizable dead body. After this many years, saying his name wouldn't pain him like it did Casey.

After eating, Casey bid farewell to Marcus and started his long walk to Yorke. It wasn't as far from Bartesville as Bartesville was from Lehorn, thankfully. If he was lucky, he'd make it there before sunset.

After a few hours of walking, Casey stopped for a moment to replenish himself. He sat by the side of the road, taking out a roll of bread and his water. As he ate, he took a moment to assess his surroundings. Even though it looked familiar, Casey had never been this far from home.

Behind him was a vast wooded area, and Casey wished he had brought his bow and arrows. He could only imagine the wildlife living just a few meters away from him.

Oh, I'll be back for you.

He made a mental note to come back one day and spend some time camping out in the forests of Yorke. But right now, he wanted to get to town. As he started packing up, Casey heard the sound of an engine roaring through the sky.

What? What is that?

Casey lifted his head to the sky, and saw a rare sight for his eyes. He'd seen pictures, but it had been over a decade since he last saw an airplane. They rarely came as far out as LeHorn. His mother used to live in a more urban town of Western Region before she met his father and she had told him of the times planes dropped off shipments. He hadn't been graced the same opportunities as her.

What's a plane doing out here?

He watched as it landed in the distance, near Yorke.

Huh. It must be dropping off a shipment.

Casey gathered his things and started back on the road. He didn't have too much farther to go, and he wanted to spend some time seeing the nightlife of Yorke, rather than staring at a distant plane. He continued this walk into town, getting more excited the closer it came into view.

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