Walled City (The Elabi Chronicles Book 1) by Maressa Mortimer

Author:Maressa Mortimer [Mortimer, Maressa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Good Hope Publishing
Published: 2021-05-08T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

Gax feels more tired than ever that Enday. There is no lecture this time, and Gax is bored. He glares at his new but useless computer, tidies around the house a little, then decides to go out for a walk. He had wanted to go towards the river last week, but had been too tired. It is hot outside, and soon his long linen trousers cling to his legs, the grass sharp on his bare feet. He wants to walk a bit further today, but Gax misses his walking boots. Maybe he should have risked wearing them today. He flaps his cotton shirt to fan himself, sweat pooling in the crook of his elbows.

The walk improves his mood though and soon Gax finds himself humming well known hymns, making up the words where he has forgotten particular lines. He breathes in the hot air, smelling of summer, grains growing everywhere and aromatic grasses. As he gets nearer the river, the air cools a little, with a hint of a breeze. Gax wipes his forehead, his eyes travelling to the water and bridges made out of a pale stone. Gax notices that there are actually two bridges, looking very similar. He rests for a bit, leaning on the large natural stones, dreamily staring into the river flowing underneath. He has a drink, then continues. He spots the occasional bird flitting around, wondering what it is, missing his grandfather who would have been able to tell him straight away.

The river edge is no longer smooth and grassy, but rocks appear and tiny coves that divert his path away from the water’s edge. As he passes a water sport area the path seems to peter out but Gax is determined to continue his walk. He loves rough paths as it reminds him of walks with friends. So he clambers on, over boulders, underneath huge tree branches, always coming back to the river. Gax feels pleasantly tired by the time he spots the perfect picnic place. It’s a dip in the landscape, a short gully, with a clattering waterfall falling over a cave-like shelter. It’s like sitting behind a waterfall, the water clear as his mother’s windows, the cave cool and deliciously private. Gax is tired of being watched, stared at all the time and here is the space he craves. He can say grace for his lunch out loud, he can sing a hymn without any repercussions. He shuffles as far back as he can, his back leaning against the cold rock and he sighs with relief.

He hums while eating his lunch, simply because he can, then leans his head back against the cave wall, smiling in delight. “The perfect meeting place, Lord,” he says out loud. He can just picture it, the long walk every week, having a time of worship. Mind you, he would have to use different routes every week. He daydreams and dozes, smiling to himself, until he hears voices. The noise grates on his nerves and he is instantly back to reality, back to being watched and controlled.

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