He Painted His Way

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A little boy kneels on a rock by a large creek. He sticks his hand into the water and giggles as it rolls over his fingers. Little fish swam under the surface. 3

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"Hey buddy."5

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The boy turned around and looked up at the taller boy who was suddenly looming over him. The boy smiled at him very slightly before sticking his hand down into the water once more.7

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"How about we play a game?"9

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The older boy's hand gripped the younger's shoulder tightly. In one quick movement he shoved the small child into the creek. The current swirled around him and began to drag him under.11

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Rai watched the boy struggle and gasp for breath, bobbing to the surface briefly. He screamed for help a few times before ducking under again. He couldn't swim. Rai smiled and watched him fight.13

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The boy's hand shot up from the water and he grabbed the rock at Rai's feet. He spit water out of his mouth, taking a deep breath in. Rai crouched down, taking the boys face into his hands and looked him over.15

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"Oh now look what I've done?" He grinned. "Maybe their child will grow up to look like you. In that case..."17

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He pushed him back into the water. Rai pushed him so hard that before the boy could scream he was lost deep into the current. Rai smiled contently. He knew the boy would not resurface. A gust of wind began to blow as leaves whipped around his body.19

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He held out his hand and grasped a leaf. It was frail in his hands, so small and new. He walked slowly back up onto the path by the cemetery, it was getting late and he was starting to feel tired.21

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Rai opened the door to the school house. It was quiet. Hannah had left quite some time ago, but he found now that she must have returned at some point in the day. There was a blanket and a pillow from the house.23

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He snorted when he looked at them but regardless took them up into the rafters with him and snuggled up.25

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*************27

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The next day when he woke up, Rai got down quickly and headed for a tree nearby in the cemetery. He knew that every once in a while on this particular day of the week, Emily would come to just take in the beauty of all the trees and flowers that managed to bloom despite the face everything around them was dead.29

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He up in Emily's tree. She always sat here when she came to visit this place. Rai fidgeted impatiently, holding the rose quartz necklace in his hand. He was going to give it to her today. He was going to let her know how he felt. 31

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Soon enough she came strolling down the path. Her face was bright and cheery as she bowed to some of the graves as she passed. Emily was beautiful, more so in the sunlight as it amplified the color of her perfect blue eyes. 33

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She came closer to the tree. Looking down she noticed a silver ring on the ground. As Emily bent over to pick it up, she realized the ring was very familiar.35

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"Rai..." She said in a tone that made Rai's heart melt.37

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He began to lean down from the branches, his free arm gripping the necklace. He was about to tap her shoulder when a voice called out.39

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"Emily?"41

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She smiled big. "I'm over here, baby!"43

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Alister peered through the gate at her and held his hand out. "Come on, I've got a surprise for you back at the house. I think you'll love it."45

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Emily sprinted towards him full speed and leaped into his arms. He kissed her deeply and held her close. They slowly walked down the path and back towards the town.47

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Rai stepped down from where he was in the tree. His eyes narrowed and his hands curled into fists. 49