The kind man tells the pilgrim what he can say
The pilgrim and his dear brother follows the way
There is a huge garden waiting, a huge maze
Pigrim and brother are like a needle in a hay
Wirt and Greg ate the food offered by Robaldo, but neither could feel even its flavor, as both were so tired after pushing for so long with no rest. Neither spoke to Robaldo either. Soon after eating the meal, Mr. Synklisi guided them to the vague bedroom, that had 1 huge bed and a sofa, amongst other things neither of them paid much attention, so tired and still worried they were. As Synklisi left the room, gave the keys to Wirt, who locked the door and went to sleep with Greg on the bed. Wirt was even holding a fork, just in case any stranger would try to put their hands on them, but soon this fork was forgotten and fell on the floor, making a noise none noticed. The sleep was profound and calm.
They were woke up by Minos, the sheep Lobby boy, knocking on the door telling them breakfast was being served on the main bedroom. After some tired moments of waking up, both were much more healthy now. They went to the table so they could eat with the host, and as they were sitting, Wirt already started a conversation with Robaldo.
"Good morning gentlemen! I trust the evening was a pleasant one"
"Good morning Mr. Synklisi, fortunately it was a much needed rest. Sir, tell us, is any bad surprise waiting for us on the maze?"
"That's a fair point, it's been a while since I haven't seen my garden, Mr. You see, most of my house is taken care of by the animals that live here, those amazing beings friends of civilization. I heard some wild birds live amongst the plant walls of the maze, but nothing I heard was enough to make me concerned for you boys, I am sure you and Gregory will be safe."
"How long do you think it's gonna take us to leave the maze, Mr. Sinisky?"
"Not long, I assume, don't worry young boy, that bad man is behind the both of you now, I am sure none will try to cause you harm in the future"
"How do you know?"
"Well, I guess you have to take my word for it, I have been living here for quite a while... I am still not used to those humans coming and going, appearing on my mansion out of nowhere! Still such a mad idea for me! How? What does this place has that makes it so special? Animals come to seek my assistance, poor souls appear lost and ask for guidance..."
"Mr. Synklisi, we met a man with a similar big mansion, his name was Quincy Endicott, he made his fortune by running a tea company, how did you come to own such a big Estate? What is your source of revenue?" Asked Wirt, that was feeling more comfortable on the presence of the man.
"Oh, young man, what a good question, you are a smart one! My father was the visionary of the Industrial Revolution, he started a company with a bankrupt shop owner, he would make the clothes with his family and set of small employees, and the shop owner would sell the clothes with his family on the shop. It was a family deal that started to make some money, they kept on expanding after reaching a solid size, kept on expanding! My father taught me well his trade, and when he died, when I was 25 years old I quickly came to ocupy his place on his honor, expanding even further my business while our friends the shop owners became an Emporium of enormous size, competing with the other major magazines in the country! It's a world filled with competition, but as me and my family adapted, and kept offering our value to the people and animals here, we manage to solidify ourselves a very wealthy family, this is how I built this manor, and I have more even, but this is my favorite, and with the animals running the place, well, most of the place, things are quite solid... I do love to tell a story, don't I?"
"I can tell, this is very much interesting, sir!"
"I think you and unckie would be very much friends, Mr. Siniski"
"Perhaps! We do have our journeys, I have mine, and you boys, have yours"
"Indeed" Said Wirt, while finishing eating the breakfast. Greg was already done and was now seeing the paintings on the wall, he was still somewhat shocked with the Wolfie happening, but was recovering his sense of wonder and playfulness.
After Wirt was done on eating, Mr. Synklisi showed them the path to the shortcut.
"Well, as I said, the journey of you boys back home, let us hope a brief one, must continue" Said Synklisi opening a door that was hidden through the wall, "After this staircase, there is only one corridor that leads to an old wooden door, reaching there, you both will be on the maze, I am not sure how is the way out of it, so this is why I haven't told you gentlemen the way out of it, but it should not be too hard. After the maze, won't be hard to find the path to the place of the baloons, ran by a fellow, and guard well this name, Eliana Wyatt. She will help you both on finally escaping out of this place. I wish you all a very safe and brief journey!"
"Farewell, Mr. Synklisi, and thank you" Said Wirt, now holding the door for his brother and watching his step on the staircases.
"Bye Mr. Siniski, thank you for helping us!" Said Gregory, entering into the staircase.
The path was dark and humid, cold and unpleasant, the floor was old and in poor state, and the brothers advanced very carefully on the thin path.
"Keep on going Greg, don't stop holding my hand"
"Okay Wirt, what an adventure..."
"Yes, I'm sick of adventures, enough is enough"
"I understand you brother, hope we get out of this stinky path soon, I wanna see Mr. Funderburker again"
"Well, we should be grateful that Mr. Synklisi showed us this way. At least now we are finally going home"
"Home we go!"
They kept on talking, and as they talk their optimism grew, the staircase was soon behind them, and as there was only one way to follow on the corridor, they kept on walking, exciting to get out and see the sun again. It was a long and claustrophobic path, when they reached the door, Wirt carefully opened it, as it was old and smelly. The exterior was revealed for them.
"WE MADE IT! HAHA! Greg!! We are so close!!!"
"YEA, WOOHOO!! So what's the plan again?"
"We should follow this maze, and when we're on the other side, we'll be even closer to home."
Their optimism, though, at least on Wirt, was short lived, the maze was huge, and even finding a way in proved to be a challenge, they had to walk a while before finding a path inside, and going on, it was as claustrophobic as the corridor they escaped. The weather was cold and cloudy, and there were white peacocks everywhere.
"This reminds me of Unckie... how is he doing, Wirt?"
"I hope he is doing well, Greg. It reminds of him, doesn't it?" Said Wirt, trying to bring the enthusiasm back to him, but he felt melancholic, trying to find a path outside, the floor was filled with puddles and his shoes were dirty. Seeing many birds also reminded him of Beatrice...
"Greg, how do you think Beatrice is going?"
"Beatrice? I miss her, hope she is well..."
"Yes... me too... that huge maze... we were here before Greg, not literally, but that huge forest, I still wonder how we managed to escape there, what a huge nightmare, brother. You almost left this world..."
"It wasn't too bad, Wirt! You wouldn't be dating Sarah if it wasnt for that day, it was a crazy dream, wasn't it?"
"Felt too real for me. Sarah, my beloved girl, will I ever see her again, Greg?"
"You will, Wirt, we just gotta keep on going! Keep on going! Yay!"
Wirt was buried in his thoughts while passing through the maze, as his brother was his old self again, the evil Wolfgang seemed forgotten, every new face was a new possibility again. If any was to be found, however. Only savage peacocks on the way, at moments even blocking the path, forcing them to follow the other way or making them open their way through ill humored birds. Wirt and Greg were covered in feathers, with Wirt sneezing from time to time, even...
"Haha, your sneeze is funny, Wirt"
"I don't think so, Greg, you have a weird sense of humor"
"Maybe, I like it though..."
"Your sense of humor?"
"No, your sneezes!"
The time appeared to be still, there was some light in the sky, in spite of the clouds, and it didn't go anywhere as the boys were advancing through the maze, they were making progress, even if they couldn't notice at moments. There were flowers everywhere in that maze, a lot of green, as far as the eye can see, they found gardening materials left out by the civilized animals at some points, but couldn't find anyone to ask for directions. After a while though, after spending countless hours on that odd place, the way out was ahead, they did it, and home felt at reach for them once more.
Comments
Post a Comment