Kaelin woke up. It's a bright sunny morning. The beams of light were peeking into his room through the curtains of the glass windows.
He got up with a bright smile. After a long time, he again saw a dream.. not the eerie dreams, but a beautiful one! And waking up from a sound sleep with a nice dream made him happy.
He got out of his bed.
"Another day, another routine life. Huh!"
Stretching his hands, Kaelin went towards the door.
....
"Good morning, sleepyhead."
Grandma greeted, as Kaelin entered the kitchen.
"Good morning."
He hugged her from behind. The kitchen is filled with the smell of freshly baked loaf, increasing his appetite.
"Taste some, tell me how's it."
Kaelin took a bite of warm breads.
"It's sweet."
"A new recipe. Cinnamon cranberry swirl bread."
"It's delicious."
Without saying a word more, he started eating.
Grandma smiled.
"Such a glutton!"
....
"Granny, I'm going out."
Kaelin shouted. The harvest season is near, he is being a little busier nowadays.
He came out of his house and started walking through the dusty path of Kateris.
Kateris.
The place where he had spent the entire twenty two years of his life. A small village far from the cities, surrounded by lush green fields and towering trees, with its beautiful landscape.
When he was three months old, his parents died in a car accident. After that grandma took him to this place. Since then they are living here. Kaelin also got used to live here.
Though he goes to the town for various errands, his only comfort zone is this village. He finds his solace in nature's lap, happiness in the chirps of birds, and peace in the simple life of Kateris.
....
Kaelin was walking through the roads, when he saw a little boy trying to catch a kitten. Though he tried his best, the kitten wasn't coming to him at all, making him frustrated.
"Hey buddy, wait!"
The child looked at him.
"You want it?"
He nodded.
"Mumma kitty died a day ago, so I want to bring him with me. I will play with him."
Kaelin smiled. "Wait."
He sat on his knees on the dusty road. The kitten stood a little far away from him, frightened.
Kaelin looked at it's eyes. Within seconds, he formed a telepathic bond with the kitten. He threw a warm smile to it, as if the cat feel the warmth of his heart.
"Why are you so scared! You can't survive without help, you're too small. Come to me, let's find home."
Looking at it's eyes, he uttered in his mind. The kitten's fearful eyes gradually eases, it came to him, slowly. Kaelin took it in his hands and stood up.
"Here you go! Take care if him, ok?"
The child's face glazed. He took the kitten in his arms with utmost care. Kaelin ruffled the child's hair with her hands.
"How did you do that?"
The little boy asked in wonder.
Kaelin smiled, whispered in his ear.
"Let me tell you a secret, I can talk to the animals."
"Really!"
Kaelin blinked. "Hmm! But don't tell anyone, huh!"
The boy nodded with a bright smile and went towards his house, Kaelin also started walking towards the field.
....
By that time it was late afternoon. Kaelin was returning home. This time of the day is very comforting. The day sets to disappear in dark, the birds starts to settle in their nests. It's like finding peace after a long day of chaos.
Walking, suddenly he saw a bunch of people, running hurriedly towards to verge of the village.
"What happened at this hour!"
His eyes furrowed. Before he could ask anything, they had already passed. Kaelin didn't think more and rushed towards the edge.
Upon reaching, he saw that many people had gathered at the edge of the village from where the forest started. A woman was crying.. loudly!
"Mrs. Lee!"
Kaelin asked.
"What happened?"
"Noah, her four years old son went into the forest."
Someone from the side answered in a timid voice.
The name stroked on his head quickly. It was the boy whom he had given the kitten in the morning today!
"What! How!"
"We don't know. Maybe, while playing."
Kaelin looked at the forest. Worried.
This is the mysterious forest which defines Kateris's boundary. The village has been cordoned off with barbed wire fences before the forest starts. No one knows what lies inside this forest, but till today those who have entered this forest, have never returned. They were lost forever, inside. There are so many myths about this forest, but no one could actually discovered what was inside. The forest remained mystery for years.
"How did Noah entered avoiding the fencing!"
Everyone was wondered. Kaelin couldn't decide what to do. Since his childhood, Grandma had always warned him not to enter the forest, at any cost. Whenever she mentioned about the forest, her eyes were frightened.
Kaelin asked many times if she'd know anything about the mystery, but she always avoided the topic.
Though he was curious, he never entered. The forest has remained a mystery to him, forever.
He was lost in his thought, suddenly the sharp scream of Mrs. Lee was heard.
"Leave me, let me go! My son is inside, can't you understand! I can't let him die helplessly, please, leave me!"
He looked at her.
Some people were holding her forcefully, and she was struggling to free herself. The face was red and the veins in the throat were swollen due to constant screaming and crying.
"What if it was my mother! She also tried her best and saved me at the cost of her own life!"
The thoughts popped up on his head. No, he won't let Noah be lost forever.
He must return him to his mother.
"I'll go there, I'll take him back."
He announced in a firm voice. In no time, the surroundings were stunned.
"Do you know what you're saying! Do you have a death wish."
Someone said loudly.
Kaelin didn't answer. He closed his eyes. Grandma's face appeared in front his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Granny. Hope, we will meet again."
He murmured. He took two steps back and jumped over the fence.
"Oh Lord, save the boy, don't let him get lost."
Some people shouted from the crowd.
Mrs. Lee was also stunned, her crying was stopped.
Glancing at the crowd behind him, he stepped into the forest.
The wind whispered.
"Come Kaelin. We've been waiting for you for so long!"