"Let's see here, 8,072 days... That's a little over 22 years that I've lived on this island."
A darkly skinned man counted out loud.
"I know, my baby boy. I know that you want to see the world beyond our home. I just wish that you wouldn't leave with them. In fact, I encourage you not to."
An elderly woman spoke, as she sat down on a roughly cut conifer bench.
“Lano, our family has lived on the island of Bykanu for twelve generations. We have never had true a need to leave before.”
“I know Mama, but those men crossed the seas just to get to our home. They spoke directly to Father and you.”
“They spoke to us about some fairytale "power" that they believe you possess. That is no reason to actually trust them and travel to their supposed “company” with them.”
Lano gently laid his palm on his mother’s shoulder.
“Mama, I realize you don’t trust those men, but I want to go. I want to see what the world is like outside of Bykanu and maybe, just maybe… What they’re saying is true and if it is then maybe I can use it to save father.”
Sadness filled the woman’s face, but she began to nod her head in acceptance.
“Okay Lano, if this is what you truly want… Then you have my support.”
A smile grew on Lano’s face as he stood up. He turned around and started to head towards their home, but was anchored down from the grasp of his mother’s hand.
“Just be careful. Keep an eye on those men at all times. After having lost Hanko. I can’t survive losing another son.”
The woman gripped Lano’s arm with both of her hands. Lano smiled down at his mother. Her complexion was old and tired, yet her face always gave off a sense of safety.
“I know and you will never lose me, Mama. I will return and when I do… I will have a way to heal Father’s sickness.”
The woman looked at her son. With his charcoal hair gently brushing in the wind and his golden brown face so full of life. She could see that unyielding hope and strength that once lived inside her husband, now resting inside her son.
“I love you, my sweet child. As long as you have hope, then so will I.”
“I love you too, Mama.”
Lano embraced his mother in one final hug. After what felt like hours, he let go and began his walk towards their home. The fresh, cool wind caressed his face as he walked along the shore.
The soothing sound of the waves creeping up and down the sand would’ve been enough to make Lano fall asleep, but today was different. Today; he would leave the island.
After a short, five minute walk, Lano reached the wooden footpath. It led up, away from the shore and towards a decently sized cabin. The walls were old and had many cracks in them, but like wine, it’s age only made the cabin look more beautiful.
Lano stood at the cherry colored door, thinking of what to say. Ever since the offer was made to leave Bykanu, he knew that his father would be resistant to it.
He reached for the doorknob, but was interrupted by the sound of a ringing. He looked up to the side of the door, where a little golden bell hung. The breeze swayed it from side to side.
Lano remembered making that bell with Hanko, six years ago. They loved creating things. Toys, wheels, anything that they could make. Even at the age of ten, Hanko was a smart inventor. That bell was the last thing they ever made, before the storm hit.
Lano focused back on reality. He took a deep breath and opened the door.
The moment he walked in, the scented smell of strawberry candles assaulted Lano’s nose.
They didn’t have a need to get much from the mainland, but candles were something that his mother always made sure were in good supply.
He walked through the dimly lit hallway and into the kitchen. The house always remained spotless. Mother would not tolerate any trash lying around, but ever since Lano’s father became sick they had to have things cluttered in order to make room for his oxygen tank.
“Father, are you in here?”
“No, I’m currently swimming in the ocean.”
A raspy voice yelled sarcastically from the room over.
Lano smiled and started to head towards the living room, but stopped by the kitchen table and took a quick look through the packets stacked upon each other.
Most were from the hospital during Father’s last visit
Lano picked up one of the doctor’s reports. Cancer of the lungs, stage four was written across the middle of it. Those were the words. The words that had destroyed his father’s hope.
He sat the report back down and continued to head into the living room. Forcing the sadness from his face. His father lost hoped, but he would not allow himself to as well.
“Lano! I was figuring you would come in.”
The man motioned his son to take a seat on the chestnut brown, cotton sofa.
“Wait, you were expecting me?”
“Of course I was. I might not be as healthy as I used to be..”
His words were cut short as he began to cough. The scratchy, horrid sound shook Lano every time he heard it.
“Excuse me. Where was I? Oh right, I know you son. You’ve always wanted to help your mother and I even when we don’t need it. So you can bet that when those men landed on Bykanu, and said how you may possess a “power” that could change the world. I knew it wouldn’t be long until you came to tell me that you’re going with them to the mainland.”
“I didn’t want you to worry Father. I’m leaving today and I promise you I’ll return.”
The man reached up and placed his hand on Lano’s shoulder. Lano was strong from living on the island, but even while sick, his father was nearly just as strong as him.
“I don’t worry that you won’t return. I worry that you’ll waste your life trying to find a way to save me. Those doctors gave me six months left. I’ve made my peace. It’s time that you make yours.”
Lano forced a straight look on his face. Any slight movement would have caused him to cry and that was something he refused to let his father see.
“I lo- I love you, father.”
“I love you too, son. Now you go out into the world and you live a life worth living, you understand?”
Lano shook his head in agreement.
He stood up from the couch and forced himself to leave the living room. He had prepared his bags last night and had them sitting by the door. He knew it would be hard to leave his home, but he never thought it would be so painful.
His first step onto the porch brought to realization the true weight of what he was about to do.
He was a second away from dropping his bags and spending the last few months with his father and mama, but his determination to find a way to save his father pushed him forward.
He began his walk to the far end of the island. The men said they would be there ready to pick him up once he arrived. Fear began to settle in, but it was outmatched by excitement. Though he was doing this for his father. There was a small part of him doing this for himself as well.
After walking for nearly thirty minutes. Lano arrived at the edge of the island, where a sleek, black colored helicopter was stationed. A snow white R/F was painted on the side of the aircraft. Lano had seen planes and such fly over the island before, but this is the closest he’d ever been to one.
Two men came walking from around the helicopter. Their armored suits were identically black and had the same R/F logo on them.
“Lano, it’s great to see that you decided to join us.”
The man reached out his hand for a shake. Lano returned the gesture, but quickly asked.
“I’m sorry, but your accent. What is…”
“Australian. I imagine you’ve probably never heard a voice like mine before.”
Lano shook his head.
Spending his life on Bykanu didn’t really offer a possibility to meet different people.
“Don’t worry mate. You’ll see and hear new things that you never knew existed, here in a few hours.”
The man started opening the side door and motioned Lano towards him.
“My name is Oliver Richmond by the way. This man here is Tyson Williams.”
Oliver pointed towards the other armored man.
“Gonna assume you already met those guys that came here a week ago, right? Well we’re your escort team. So if you’ve got everything ready, hop aboard.”
Lano stood at the door of the helicopter. He never thought he would leave the island. A part of him never and still doesn’t want to leave.
After what felt like an eternity, Lano climbed inside and sat on one of the smooth seats. His eyes were overwhelmed by all the buttons and levers at the front of the aircraft.
Oliver climbed in behind them and closed the side door before sitting down across from Lano.
Oliver gave a thumbs up to the pilot and the helicopter began to lift off. Lano quickly reached for the nearby handle and heard a slight laugh from Oliver.
Lano looked out of the window and could see the entire island.
Father, Mama, Hanko. Every fun game played. Every sunset watched. Every good and bad memory. All of Lano’s life on that small island that now fits within his sight.
“So mate, are you ready for this?” Oliver asked.
“Yeah, but there is one question I have.”
Oliver laid back into the seat with an observant look.
“I’ve been greeted by those men who first showed up at the island and told us about me having some sort of “power”. Then I was greeted by you and Tyson and am currently being transported with you.”
“You're a smart one, mate. So what exactly is your question?”
Lano thought for a moment.
“Who is this person that wants to see me so badly?”
A smirk formed on Oliver’s face as if he was waiting for this question. He looked over at Tyson, while trying to figure out the best way to answer.
“Listen Lano, we don’t know much about him or his true goal for anything really. We were only sent to pick you up and nothing more.”
Disappointed, Lano looked out of the window at the vast ocean blue.
After a few moments of silence, Oliver leaned forward and began to speak.
“There is one thing we can tell you.”
Lano’s attention immediately shifted towards Oliver and waited for him to continue.
“We can tell you his name.”
Lano’s focus had entirely settled on him.
Oliver paused for a moment to think if he should be saying anything at all. Then he began to speak.
“Alright. His name is…”
“Mr. Reedsy”
Lano sat back into the chair.
“Reedsy” He thought to himself.
Lano looked back out of the window. They were still a few hours out and he had a lot to think about.
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11 comments
Hey Jacob! This was a really good first submission! I loved the idea and the plot! I would just say to make sure you give it a re-read because of some grammar issues, but honestly, other than that, can't wait for more!
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Thank you very much... Means alot. I'm just happy that one person was able to read it..... Awesome job with your stories by the way. I want to be able to make amazing layouts of stories like you did with that "Android blending in human society" prompt. The way that story was laid out was awesome.
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Aw, thanks so much Jacob! :) Of course! It was awesome! AW, seriously, I'm crying :)
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A great one, the grammar's really not a problem, you'll get the hang of it as you write more,try to work on your endings and maybe you could decrease the lag in the middle of your story and concentrate more on fleshing out the ending.. good luck!!
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Thank you. I'll work on improving my endings more and I very much appreciate you offering your advice. So again, Thank you.
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Very nice, kept me interested till the last word.
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Hello Jacob! Welcome to Reedsy! I really enjoyed this story, the details were amazing! Great names as well! I agree with Nainika with the grammar but overall wonderful!
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Thank you Vimal. I really appreciate you reading this story and giving feedback. That means a whole lot to me. I’ll work better in improving grammar. Had you and Nainika not said anything, I wouldn’t have noticed any grammar issues.
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Of course! U can call me Varsha BTW. NP! I love to help people! :))) We all need a little help at times. I would love it if u could check out my latest story.
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Absolutely! Will do.
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Thank you!
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