Chereads / The wizard of Reek / Chapter 4 - The picnic in the woods

Chapter 4 - The picnic in the woods

It was a beautiful Saturday morning and one that would change the lives of everyone in Reek. It looked like a usual day though, as the sun had risen from the east and the sky was clear as crystal. People went to their normal businesses and a smile was written on virtually everyone's face, Carrick included. He was finally following his Dad to work, and even though he was still young and barely knew much about the process of archeology, he was very much excited to see how it was done at least.

He had told his best friend the previous day in school that he was following his dad to work. Harvey was surprised "my dad has never let me follow him to his workplace, " he said with a saddened look on his face. "would it be possible for me to join you?" he asked Carrick with a little bit of faith written all over his face. "I will ask him when I get home" Carrick promised "Thank you very much" Harvey replied while throwing his arms around his best friend.

Carrick didn't get to see his dad that day before he went to bed and when he woke up the next morning his mum and Dad were at his bedside singing a birthday song for him "Happy birthday to you…" Michael and Rose said in unison with a cake in their hands. "Make a wish" Michael urged his son. "go on, make a wish" Rose reiterated.

Carrick sat up and with a heavy smile on his face he muttered a wish under his breath, his parents unaware of what he said smiled back as he blew the candles.

That day ended up being very beautiful, as he was sang for by his classmates in school and a surprise party was thrown at the warehouse for him.

The party was attended by his friends from school, including his teacher. The friends of his family were also in attendance and they arrived with hugs and gifts for him. It was surely going to be in his books as one of his favorite days if not the most.

Carrick woke up the next morning feeling happier than ever, one couldn't tell if it was the previous day that was making him happy or the part that he was following his Dad to work. He talked to his dad about Harvey coming along and he was okay with it.

On their way, Michael bought them a cup of ice cream which they gulped during the journey.

When they got to the woods, they found the rest of the people and their children having fun, and they didn't take long in joining.

They were working on a mountain in the woods that had been existing for thousands of years. So they decided to turn some parts of the woods into a picnic ground. There were mats on the ground, some made leaves in form of a mat and arranged them on the floor. There was pretty little music and food and drinks were everywhere.

Some workers came with their wives and children, but most came with just their children. "Carrick, why didn't your mum come with you guys?" Harvey asked as he stared at Carrick with so much attention. Carrick then turned to his father and gave him a look that depicted that the question was for him.

"No one would be at the warehouse if she came with us. Besides she wanted you to have all the time with me as she didn't want to share it with you" Michael replied with so much smile on his face.

"Okay, I will leave you guys here to have all the fun" he continued as he stood up to take his leave to the mountain.

"Take care of yourself and your friend sluggard," he said while walking away.

Carrick started talking to Harvey about school to keep himself out of boredom. Even though he came to watch his father work, he had to be patient and let everything go on smoothly till when he would tell his Dad that he wants to join him.

"She is beautiful and she has been staring at you," Harvey said with a smile that revealed most of his teeth. Carrick wasn't listening. It was already two hours since his dad left them to the mountain and he was starting to worry that his dad might return when it was late.

"I just want to be around the environment where they are excavating and see how it is done" Carrick replied.

"Come on Carrick, she's still staring" Harvey reiterated. Carrick turned to see and the young lady took her eyes off

"Let's go talk to them" Harvey continued as he stood up, pulling Carrick's arm.

They went to where the girl and her friends were sitting and they were received warmly.

"What's your name pretty boy," the girl asked, "I'm Carrick, pretty girl" he replied with a blush that revealed his dimples.

They socialized amongst themselves and got to know each other very well.

Then Harvey suggested they play hide and seek as he was very good at it. "Come on, I will count, you all should go and hide"

Everyone went different ways, while Harvey's eyes were closed. Carrick seized that opportunity and went towards the mountain.

While he was going towards it, he noticed that he was not the only one. They were all going to hide close to the mountain.

The archeologist were experiencing some issues and that was the reason for Michael's delay from returning. They were trying to break a section of the ground at the top of the mountain, but it was very hard and seemed impossible.

But when they continued for a long time, the ground began to shake like there was about to be an earthquake.

Everyone became scared as it threw some people off balance and broke some fragile equipment.

"8, 9, 10.... You think I wouldn't find you guys" Harvey said as he opened his eyes. That was when he noticed the pandemonium as people tried to find safety. He became scared and started looking for his friend Carrick.

"Carrick! Where are you" he screamed as he approached the mountain. A big part of the top of the mountain had broken and was rolling down.

Harvey then saw his friends running towards him and screaming "run!". "Where is Carrick? " he asked, but no one was ready to answer him.

Then he saw Carrick running away from the mountain and behind him was a very huge ball of rock rolling down the mountain.

Everyone watching began screaming, while the children wailed loudly. The rock was going at a very high speed, it was about to crush both Carrick and his friends.

As it was close by and seconds away from crushing them, just then, Carrick turned around and screamed out of fear.

Like though the rock was smashed with a mighty hammer the size of a ship, it shattered into pieces.