Lamb- Chapter 18

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Although he did not want to, he just kept glancing towards the body in the distance. As the gulls descended he realised that they were aiming for the lifeless young boy. He jumped up to get a clearer look. It took him a couple of seconds to realise he was right. He ran over as quick as he could, stumbling over the sand hills. He frightened the gulls away when he approached the scene. He bent over slightly and put his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. When he did he looked at Owen. He wondered if what he did was wrong- robbing a young boy of his life. He fell on his knees beside the boy. Owens expression was one he had never seen on his face before. Peace; tranquillity; contentment. This soon reassured him that he had done the right thing.

        A cigarette butt caught his eye. Owens last one -the one that he smoked straight after he finished his food. Michael grabbed the stub sticking out of the sand and put it in his mouth, then pulled it away spitting the sand off his lips, and wiping it off the tip. He franticly took the packet of matches out of Owens pocket and promptly took one out. He repeatedly tried to light it, then realised that they were wet from the sea. He was quite relieved about this as he felt he would have embarrassed himself by coughing by inhaling his first smoke from a cigarette.

        He lay down beside the boy, gazing into the sky. He remained motionless for a while, alone with his thoughts. He took in a deep breath and said

        “I really hope you understand why I did this. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt you. I did it out of love. I know you don’t know what love feels like. Love means you’ll do anything for someone, no matter what it takes, or what the consequences are. And believe me boy…” he took a brief pause, while he burst into tears for a few seconds. He temporarily calmed himself down, took in a deep breath and continued in a shaky voice, “…I love you. More than I’ve ever loved anyone.” He was now crying hysterically, reassuring himself he did everything he could do to help the boy, but he couldn’t help feeling at fault. He tried to free his guilt, but he couldn’t, no matter how much he tried. He knew he just had to accept it.

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        Before long, it grew dark. The sun seemed to set, and the clouds seemed to disappear in a matter of moments. Michael didn’t notice that it was night. He was in a trance, going over the last few weeks: the time they shared with each other. To him it seemed to get dark in the blink of an eye. When his mind was nudged back into reality he knew he had to do something with the body. He also knew he had to leave. Go somewhere. Anywhere. He just couldn’t stay there any longer.

        He threw some sand over ...

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