Chương 1: ZACH
"Oh, fuck who spilled my drink Charles?
An old wiry and weathered man coming down the stairs shouted from inside the cottage, his shoulder is stooped but he has a determined gait, he doesn't looks much old but with his wrinkled face and fallen cheeks, one could guess he's around his 80s or 90s. He's holding a large empty mug with nothing inside it. The mug was swaying precariously showing the man's grip is weak or maybe he's just so angry .
"I didn't touch your stuff Phil, maybe Margaret did, but I didn't " Charles busy trimming the flowers replied without looking at the old man's side, this probably hadn't be the first time he complained around the house about his drink.
"Margaret!!!" Phil staggered up the stairs again, he is definitely in for a little stir up today, better still an argument (it wouldn't last long though)
"I didn't touch your drink Phil!" Margaret shouted from her room, she could hear the stairs creaking, she definitely knew it's Phil as usual.
"You drank it before you went to the toilet Granny" a little voice shouted from the living room
(Tom and Jerry's instrumental could be heared from the background)
The pissed old man stare at his mug and the ceiling trying to remember if he actually did "Oh yeah, why didn't you tell me earlier junior" the old man put the little boy on his shoulder, he might be old but not that weak after all. He caressed the little boy's cheek and gave him a peck at his forehead.
"Junior where is Zach?
Margaret descends the stairs, her gentle footsteps a soft rhythm in the quiet house.
"Oh yeah I haven't seen him this morning either" Phil placed Junior down, scrutinize the house with his eyes "Where he at? (He's not a needle granny 😂)
"Haven't seen him either " Junior picked up the TV'S remote controller and jumped on the Comfy couch each word escaping his mouth freely
"He's probably out in the hill" Phil said looking at Junior on the couch
**************
"It feels good to feel the early morning fresh air out here" Zach said not knowing he's thinking out loud
His slender frame and fair complexion made him look younger than his eighteen years. A mop of unruly blonde hair framed a face that was still soft and boyish, but his eyes held a certain sharpness that hinted at a growing maturity, The sunlight caught the golden strands of his hair, highlighting their youthful vibrancy. His blue eyes, wide and curious, seemed to hold the secrets of the universe.
He seems like a gentle and lovely boy but his dead look may prove otherwise, he look like he's been traumatized his whole life or maybe something is bothering him, but a little satisfying smile find it's way out of his lip
"The weather is kinda cool today" he said laying his head on a bunch of grass he plucked to avoid getting bitten by an insect "I hope today ends well" he sighed and close his eyes slowly giving in to the soothing breeze taking him to the wonderland of dreams.
"Zacchaeus!!!" A loud voice echoes through the valley calling out to Zach, he sat up hurriedly, his eyes flickering around in search of any form of threat. He waited a little more minute staring at the air finally resolving no one is around.
"Maybe I'm hallucinating" he looked back at his grass pillow and laid his head back on it
"Zacchaeus!!!" The voice this time was loud and deafening and it seems like it was at close range . He panicked and decided to accept his mind suggestion to run for his dear life but he's frozen, his body refusing to obey his mind, and all he could do is just panic .
He feel something caressing him from behind but he can't turn his head to look, then the voice now closer like a whisper Shouted again "Zacchaeus!!! Wake up" the depth of the noise feels like a sting in his eardrum and he jumped out of his hypnotic stupid dreams.
"Aye, did you by any chance catch a glimpse of the wizard of Oz? Phil jokingly asked, trying to smother his laughter. "You've been asleep for a thousand years of minutes here boy"
Zach feel a little embarrassed, he's been dreaming the whole time he thought Godzilla is about to bite his head off
"I was just trying to check out the views here and fell asleep " Zach said rubbing his eyes and yawning, he definitely hasn't recovered much from his sleep
Phil look around and pat his shoulder
"C'mon let's go home and have breakfast "
It was well past breakfast time and hunger gnawed at his stomach. "Let's go, I'm really hungry"
****************
"Breakfast is ready"
"Yay" little Junior screamed out of excitement
The aroma of sizzling bacon filled the air, mingling with the sweet scent of maple syrup. A stack of golden brown pancakes, fluffy and warm, sat atop a plate, each one glistening with a generous drizzle of the amber nectar. Beside them, a bowl overflowed with a vibrant medley of fresh berries, their juicy sweetness promising a burst of flavor. A steaming cup of dark, rich coffee, strong enough to wake the dead, completed the picture-perfect countryside breakfast.
"Oh just in time" Phil said rubbing his palm together, he sat on a chair drooling over the sweet aroma coming out of the food.
"Zach, go grab the fruits in the kitchen" Margaret said with a low soothing voice
Zach dashed to the kitchen, he's really hungry and can't wait to get a bite of that delicious bacon
Everyone was quiet while Margaret serve the food she sat near Charles and then spread out her palms indicating they should pray
Charles signaled they should close their eyes and he started praying
"Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ, Our Lord. Amen."
With the last word being said Zach couldn't wait any longer, he grabbed a bacon and took a bite sending a little splash of oil on his shirt . Margaret glared at him smacking his head a million times in her head, but Zach doesn't seem to notice he's more engrossed in the food he's busy devouring.
"You moving out to Brooklyn in few days" Charles interrupted his voice cutting through the tension
Zach now reserved sat back and smile a little "I'm I going too Daddy? Junior asked tugging at his father's shirt. Charles let a gentle smile out of his lips, he rubbed junior head and kiss his forehead "Your brother is the only one going, you'll be visiting him sometimes" Charles said trying to coax the little boy
"So where do I live when I get there" Zach mumbled his mouth filled with bacon and the creamy oil were glistening round his lips. He shifted uncomfortably, tugging at his collar and tucking his napkin into his neck, trying to appear more composed.
"I've contacted my friend Logan to secure a spot for you before you get there"
"Thanks Unc" Zach mumbled
Phil With a satisfied sigh, he pushed his plate away and stretched, his eyelids heavy and hard to keep open, he yawned "The old lion is going to his den, don't nobody disturb his peace while he's away okay? Phil jokingly said, everyone nodded.
He plodded up the stairs like a tired tortoise, each step taking an eternity.
Margaret's voice, like a beacon in the darkness, cut through the uncomfortable silence getting their attention back to their food
"Remember, honey, it's so much fun to be the class clown. Go ahead, make a fool of yourself. It'll be hilarious" Her fork hovered over the plate, poised to strike, as she carried on the conversation "If you keep acting like that, you'll get a time-out, and that's no fun at all!" She added still trying to pick some berries
Zach smile and give a little nod " I'll try to behave " he said. Now done with his food, he picked up his plates and granny's and went straight to the kitchen to get the dishes done, others were eating like it's gonna be till eternity.
After the morning breakfast, everyone continue their thing.
************
Zach went up to his room to rest a little bit before going out fishing with his friends, the countryside is a really peaceful place with little or no commotion at all and the best thing they like doing is fishing, which is apparently Zach's hobby too.
"Oh I'm gonna be a student soon" he beamed with smile thinking out aloud, he happily packed some clothes into his box ready to leave anytime . Though there are schools in the countryside but Charles wouldn't let any of his children attend a school with unqualified teachers or bullies, he believes the Urban schools are more organized and oriented, they have qualified teachers and he expected no bullies should be there, so he thought such school would be safe for his boys.
After packing some clothes, Zach set out for his normal morning quest and didn't come back home till it's time for Dinner.
Getting to his room after having a delicious set of roasted meat, roasted potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, and parsnips. His belly swelled like a balloon, straining at the seams of his shirt. He staggered to his bed and gave in to nature's pressure
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