GOM: GOD OF MINE

CHAPTER 1; Silence before tide

A nine-year-old boy dashed down a dirt path winding through lush green trees, his small feet kicking up dust. Behind him, two boys his age and a man, barely thirty, raced to keep up, but the gap between them only grew wider.

“How does he run that fast?” one boy gasped, panting heavily.

“Must be a trained thief,” the second boy replied between breaths, grinning despite his struggle.

“Yano! Slow down a little! You’re already winning!” the man called out, half-laughing and half-tired.

Yano didn’t slow. His focus was unshaken, his speed undeterred.

“Maybe he didn’t hear you, big bro,” the second boy suggested.

The man sighed, exhaling loudly. “Ah, this kid…”

Determined not to be left behind, the man surged forward, pumping his legs harder. “Alright, Yano, I’m coming for you!”

“Hey, wait!” the first boy called out, watching the man gain speed.

“I Don’t think he will, Speed up! Yoshi!” the second boy teased, grinning as he, too, picked up the pace.

“You too?” Yoshi exclaimed; his voice filled with disbelief as he reluctantly followed.

Yano was now nearing the bottom of the hill. Ahead lay the bustling village of Dayu, alive with activity. Merchants called out from their stalls, cart-pullers maneuvered through the streets, buyers haggled over goods, and children played freely. But Yano’s eyes were fixed on his goal: the giant tree at the center of the village.

Just as he reached the crowded streets, a cart overloaded with grain barrels appeared in his path. His eyes widened as he swerved to avoid it. Though he managed to dodge the cart, the sudden movement threw him off balance. Stumbling, he found himself hurtling into the busy marketplace, desperately weaving through the crowd to avoid crashing into anyone.

But as he staggered, he saw an even bigger problem ahead—a fruit stall run by a middle-aged woman. He was headed straight for it. Panic flared in his chest as he realized he couldn’t stop.

Yano shut his eyes tightly, bracing for impact.

But, instead of crashing, he felt himself yanked back. The next thing he knew, he was on the ground. Slowly, he opened his eyes to see what had happened. Paka—the man who had been racing with him, was laying on the ground, gripping his arm in pain. The fruit stall lay in ruins, its fruits scattered across the street.

The murmur of the crowd grew louder as people gathered around the scene.

A woman with a basket of groceries froze when she spotted Yano on the ground. Her face turned pale, and she dropped the basket. “Yanatoh!” she cried, rushing towards him.

“Mom…” Yano mumbled, his voice small and shaky.

“What have you done?!” the fruit-seller shrieked, pointing furiously at Paka. Her face was red with anger, and her voice cut through the growing chatter.

“Paka?” Yano’s mother whispered under her breath, recognition dawning as she reached her son.

The two boys, Yoshi and his friend, finally caught up, pushing through the crowd to get a better look.

“What’s going on?” Yoshi asked, his face a mix of confusion and concern.

“I don’t know,” his friend replied in a hushed tone. “But we’d better stay quiet. That old hag? She’s known for her temper.”

“Get up, you fool!” the stall owner yelled at Paka, her arms flailing as she gestured at the mess. “What have you done to my stall?!”

Groaning, Paka struggled to sit up, clutching his injured arm. Yano scrambled to his side, trying to help him.

“Yanatoh!” his mother called out; her voice laced with worry.

“I… I’m sorry,” Paka said softly, his tone heavy with remorse.

“Sorry? Sorry won’t fix my damn stall!” the woman shot back. “You’ll pay for this—fifty silver brooks! Do you hear me?”

The crowd gasped in unison. Whispers spread like wildfire. “Fifty silver brooks.? That’s a lot! ‘She is crazy!’, ‘Even I don’t have that.”

“Fifty silver brooks?!” Yoshi exclaimed, turning to his friend. “How is big bro supposed to have that kind of money?”

“That old hag has lost her mind,” his friend muttered. “That much for a few fruits? She probably won’t even live long enough to spend it!”

Yoshi shot him a disapproving look. “She’s not that old.”

“Silence!” the stall owner barked, her eyes narrowing at Paka. “You owe me, and you will pay!”

Paka shook his head slowly, his voice firm yet sorrowful. “I can’t… I don’t have that kind of money.”

“Can’t?” she hissed, her eyes narrowing dangerously. “I don’t remember given you an option, you fool. You will pay me. Fifty silver brooks, do you understand that”

“If I had that much money, I would’ve paid you already,” Paka said, meeting her gaze. “But I don’t even have fifty bronze brooks. How can I possibly pay you fifty silvers?”

The stall owner sneered. “Oh yeah, how can I forget, how big of a Loser you are, how can I expect even a single brook from you. You are useless!” taunts the stall lady.”

“It’s not big bro’s fault! It’s mine!” Yanatoh’s voice cracked as he stepped forward, his face flushed with guilt and determination. “I couldn’t stop, and he saved me! If anyone should be blamed, it’s me!” His words trembled with a mix of sadness and remorse.

“Saved you?” Ms. Yushiwa scoffed. “That little scratch he got? I’ve seen mosquito bites worse than that!”

Ms. Yushiwa’s eyes narrowed. “I see… So now you’ve got the kids lying for you, huh?” She turned her sharp gaze back to Paka. “But I won’t be fooled. You’ll pay, outsider.”

“Ms. Yushiwa!” Yano’s mother interjected sharply. “That’s enough!”. We agreed that word would never be used for anyone in this village. Why are you saying it now?”

“Because it’s the truth!” Ms. Yushiwa shot back. “He’s an outsider, and he’ll always be one! No matter what you all say.”

Yano turned to Paka, who stood motionless, his head hung low. Something dark flickered in Paka’s eyes—pain, anger, or maybe something deeper. Yano had never seen him like this before. To him, Paka had always been a beacon of kindness and warmth.

Ms. Yushiwa wasn’t done. Her voice rose, bitter and cold. “Masai… If your husband hadn’t saved this outsider that day, we could’ve been living in peace.”

Without a word, Paka dropped to his knees. He bowed low, his voice steady but heavy with regret. “I won’t cause trouble again. Please forgive me. I’ll repay you as soon as I can.”

“Big bro…” Yano whispered, his voice cracking.

Ms. Yushiwa smirked triumphantly. “Good. See that you do. Now get out of my sight.”

Slowly, Paka rose to his feet. His head hung low as he turned and began walking away, his figure disappearing into the crowd.

“Big bro, wait!” Yano called out, running after him. He stopped in front of Paka, spreading his arms to block his path. “It’s not your fault!”

Paka’s voice was quiet, almost broken. “Leave me alone, Yano.”

He gently pushed the boy aside and walked on, heading toward the forest. Yano watched helplessly as Paka vanished into the trees, leaving behind a silence that no one dared to break.


To be continued…