"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." ~Nelson Mandela 1918-2013
Fluttershy's POV
I had just come down the stairs from the shower to try and fix dinner again when I noticed that Caden wasn't on the couch. I knew he couldn't have gone far because of the condition his ankle was in. I ran back upstairs thinking maybe he snuck up there while I was in the shower. I checked the guest bedroom, my bedroom, and the bathroom.
With negative results, I ran back downstairs. I checked the animal room, where most of the food bowls are, and the kitchen. When I reached the kitchen, I looked over at where Bolt was supposed to be laying. The bed was empty, as were the food and water bowls. I don't even see how Bolt would've been able to move with the injuries he received. I figured the only other place they could be was outside.
I ran to the front door thinking that Caden couldn't sleep, so he went for a walk. I flung the door open and ran out. I looked down the path, but I couldn't see Caden or Bolt. Maybe he's in the backyard. I slammed the door shut and ran back into the kitchen where the door to the backyard was. I slung it opened and took a sigh of relief.
There Caden and Bolt laying down in the grass watching the clouds. Every time Caden pointed out a cloud, Bolt would yip with delight. I stood in the doorway giggling then decided to join them.
I went and laid between Caden and Bolt and just laid there enjoying their company. After a little while, Caden said without looking at me," My dad and I used to do this when I was seven. We'd go to my favorite meadow and watch the clouds roll by like we didn't have a care in the world. He'd point out clouds and asked me what I saw. I told him and we'd lay in the grass laughing together. Those were the good days. But one day, he was called to deploy over to Afghanistan to help strengthen the front lines. He was there for seven months. I missed him each and every day and prayed that he would come back to me safely, so we could do what we used to do together. During his eighth month in Afghanistan, we received a call from a close friend of his who went with him. He told us that his group had been ambushed by the enemy. He said that my dad fought like a true soldier. I'd never realized how precious my time with him had been until that day. "
" I'm so sorry." was all I managed to say.
" My life was never the same. I'd wake up every morning hoping that if I walked down the stairs that my mom and dad would be sitting at the kitchen table sharing a pot of coffee. I'd hoped that he would see me and give me the kind of hug a father gives. My dreams never came true. My mom fell into a sense of despair and abandonment. I tried to stay strong for her. One day she just couldn't go on a sent me to live with my grandparents until she could get her life back on track and bring me home. That happened about 11 years ago. She never came back. I was given the farm when my grandparents moved to a retirement home together. I'd take care of the animals, tend the fields, and go to the farmer's market to sell my goods to get by. I'd always dreamed of going to a different place to forget the past and start fresh. The day I came here was night time in my world. I was scared of what I might find when I came here. But I'm glad I came. If I didn't, I wouldn't have made a friend as great as you, Fluttershy." He finally finished and continued to stare up at the sky.
I heard his voice start to crack as he began to say something more. I didn't want him to have to say anything else that would upset me and him. He'd already been through so much. During his story, I couldn't help, but feel his pain. I couldn't believe that a guy like him could have been were he had gone.
I wrapped my arms around him. He's story really shook me way down deep.
We spent the rest of the daylight hours, enjoying the peacefulness of the backyard. All the while I was thinking of what Caden had told me. I never wanted him to go through anything like that ever again. I cared.