the empty road - 7. the child

by bofa xesjum

part seven of forty

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before. way before. many years ago. john prester was born. he was a happy child. always up to some naughty mischief. he lived with his mother and grandmother they both laughed heartily at his jolly nonsense. one day a stranger called - a certain mr wilkins. he had a black briefcase and produced papers from it. the two women were overwhelmed by the contents of the papers. young john was instructed to pack his bag and accompany mr wilkins.. the boy accompanied mr wilkins in a taxi to the nearest railroad station . mr wilkins did not prove to be a very cheerful or communicative traveling companion. he volunteered the information that he was an attorney, and then lapsed into brooding silence. john turned his attention to the trees, signs, and buildings flashing by outside the train window. the train passed within a few feet of a window and a pretty girl smiled at him. john smiled back at her and she was gone - had she even seen his returning smile? he wondered. he looked over at mr wilkins and that gentleman, if he had seen the exchange, was not smiling himself. thus began what would be the first of many journeys he would take in the service of his new masters. next