There was an orange glow around the goblin town as the sun went down. Dust flew around Wyrtt's feet as he walked toward his family's house. He stood outside the door and got ready for what he knew was going to happen.
"Mother?" Wyrtt made a soft call as he walked inside. She was making stew over the stove, which he saw. When she looked into his eyes, they were kind and friendly.
There was a stool nearby, and she said, "Come sit down." She made Wyrtt some stew and gave it to him when he sat down. Though he was happy to take it, he wasn't really hungry.
"Thank you, Mother," Wyrtt said in a whisper as he looked into the hot soup. He looked up at her after giving it some thought. "There's something I need to talk to you about."
His mother put her hands on his shoulders, and her face got even softer. She said in a soft voice, "I know, my son." "Your eyes show how hard it is for you. You love your family, but you also need to start over.
Wyrtt was shocked and didn't know how she knew so much about his heart. "How did you?"
"Mothers know these things," she said with a sad grin. "Especially when it comes to their children."
"Then you know why I have to leave," Wyrtt said in a whisper. His voice broke. "Mom, I can't give up on my dreams now." I need to get around on my own.
She grabbed him around the shoulders even tighter and told him, "Your dad and brother won't get it." "They'll see it as a betrayal."
"Maybe they're right," he yelled. "But if I stay, I'll only betray myself."
"Listen, Wyrtt," she said in a strong but soft voice. "I won't get in your way if that's the way you need to go." But remember that the world is dangerous. Help yourself, make friends, and stay true to who you are.
"Thank you, Mother," Wyrtt choked out as tears filled his eyes. "I promise I'll make you proud."
She whispered, "Go," and pressed a small box with food and water into his hands. "And remember, no matter how far you wander, you will always have a home here."
As Wyrtt walked back into the evening light, he could feel the love of his mother and the weight of his decision. He got chills from the cold wind that blew through town. Once more, he looked back, and then he turned toward the woods, going his own way.
As he moved, he got farther away from the only life he had ever known. He said in a whisper, "Goodbye, Mother."
With the first light of dawn, the sky was pink and gold, and the goblin town was well hidden. Wyrtt was sad as he stood on the edge of town because he knew he was leaving everything he knew behind. His mother had warned him and reassured him at the same time. He could still hear them.
Whispering "Goodbye, Wyrtt," his younger sister Lyriss had tears in her eyes that wouldn't go away. She held on tight to him because she believed Wyrtt was brave and had a duty to the tribe.
Wyrtt told her, "Stay strong, little one," as he slowly pulled her arms away from him. "I'll make our family proud; you'll see."
Lyriss wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and gave a thumbs up. Wyrtt got a small gift from her that she made herself and pressed into his hand. "Take this," she said, and her voice shook. "To remember us by."
"Thank you, Lyriss," Wyrtt said in a whisper, and he put the thing in his pocket. He moved away after giving her one more hug. The weight of his choice was like a big blanket around him.
"Leaving without saying goodbye?" There was a voice in the air that was cold and sharp. When Wyrtt turned around, he saw his dad and big brother standing close. They were looking very serious and wouldn't move.
"Father, I—" Wyrtt spoke up, but his dad stopped him by raising his hand.
"Save your excuses," he growled, his eyes getting very close together. "You've left your family, your tribe, and our traditions behind." I don't think I'll feel bad for you.
"I'm not asking for sympathy," Wyrtt said, getting more angry. "Only understanding."
"Understanding?" his older brother asked with a laugh. "You're a coward, running away from your responsibilities."
"Enough!" Wyrtt yelled because he was so mad. "I'm not going to stand here and let you or anyone else insult me! I'm going to make my own choices and find my own path.
His father looked at him for a long time in a thick, heavy silence. He finally spoke, but his voice was rough because he was holding back his thoughts. He told her, "Then go." "But remember, boy, that the world is harsh outside our village." You'll quickly understand that the only way to stay alive is to be strong and work together.
When Wyrtt looked at his family, his chest got tight. He had something more important and deeper to say but couldn't find the words. Instead, he gave them one last nod and then turned around to walk away. His heart was beating fast with strong will and sadness.
Wyrtt felt both scared and excited as he watched the town behind him disappear into the thick forest. The unknown, which looked like a plan that hadn't been used yet, was in front of him. It was rich and full of unknown risks. He was ready to face whatever came his way because he wanted to create a new identity for himself that wasn't limited by what his family expected of him.
Wyrtt noticed the bug that was moving on his hand. Its wings sparkled in the light that hit them. He smiled and felt like he had a connection with the little animal. The world was hard and they were both alone and weak.
A sharp voice woke him up from his thoughts and said, "Watch out!" Wyrtt's younger sister Lyriss ran at him with scared eyes. "Father is looking for you!"
"Already?" As Wyrtt let go of the bug and watched it run away to safety, he said something under his breath. He got ready for another fight, even though his heart hurt.
Saying it quietly, Lyriss said, "It looks like he knows about your plans." She cried while holding his arm. "Wyrtt, don't leave!" "I have nothing else to give you!"
"Lyriss, I must." Wyrtt slowly took her hand off of his arm. His heart hurt when he looked into her eyes and saw how much she wanted him. I'll remember you, though. "I need to go my own way."
"Enough of this foolishness!" When their dad's loud words reached the trees, the birds took off into the sky. "Face me, boy!"
Wyrtt stood up straight and pushed his shoulders back when he turned to face his dad. As he looked into the huge figure in front of him, he felt both fear and determination.
He spoke softly and said, "Father, I love you, but I can't stay." "I must find my own path, even if it takes me far from our tribe."
As his older brother Grik stepped out from behind their dad with his hands locked, he yelled, "Traitor!" "You would abandon your own blood?"
"Enough, Grik," their mother said in a strong but soft voice. She moved closer and put a gentle hand on Wyrtt's shoulder. "I know you want more out of life, son." But be careful. I'm worried about your safety because the world is scary.
"Thank you, Mother," Wyrtt said in a whisper as he gave her one last hug. He wasn't letting the tears come out. "I will make you proud."
Before Wyrtt left, he heard someone say, "The world outside our village is unforgiving." Wyrtt kept going even though those words hurt because he was set on proving himself.
It was both sad and important in his heart as he ran into the bush, leaving his family behind.
Wyrtt could see a huge, dark forest in front of him. The trees were twisted and looked like they were reaching out to grab him. Taking a deep breath, he walked into the dark, leaving the faint cries of his family behind him. He had thought about it for a moment.
"Even if I'm by myself, I'll find a better way," Wyrtt told himself.
It got colder and noisier in the bush as he went deeper into it. He got chills when he heard animal howls far away. They told him about the dangers that were coming.
"Face your fears," Wyrtt told himself as he gripped his hands together. "This is your path now."
When Wyrtt heard a low growl coming from the trees, he stopped moving. His heart was beating fast as he tried to figure out where the noise was coming from. From the darkness came a pair of bright eyes and then a big animal that growled.
"Stand your ground," Wyrtt told himself, even though he wanted to run. He clenched his teeth to stop his legs from shaking.
"Who are you?" Even though Wyrtt worked hard to keep his voice from shaking, he gave the order.
The animal let out a snort, and the cold air grew bigger because of its hot breath. "You invade my land, goblin," it growled in a deep, gruff voice. "State your purpose."
Wyrtt took a big breath and got himself together. He stated, "I want a new life, free from the violence of my past." His voice was more steady this time. "If you let me pass, I promise not to cause any trouble."
The thing gave him a close look, as if to see how honest he was. It moved out of the way after a grunt, letting Wyrtt keep going on his trip.
"Thank you," Wyrtt said in a whisper, his heart still beating fast.
"Remember your promise, goblin," it said. "I'll be watching."
Wyrtt kept going. He was glad and happy that he had made it through his first encounter with a dangerous animal. But the further he went into the unknown, the more he felt like this was just the beginning of the problems he would have to fix.
For that reason, each step made Wyrtt stronger. No matter what, the man was determined to make a name for himself in this strange new world.
Wyrtt told himself, "Watch me, Father," as he looked up at the moonlit sky. "I'll prove that I can survive without the tribe."
At the same time, Wyrtt kept going. He felt scared when all of a sudden there was a strange silence in the forest. His gut told him that something very bad was going on.