Joseph's+(Amazing!)+Story+2

Finding Home
Tok! The bamboo pipe hit the rock as I was meditating in the tall, green grass. A cool breeze flowed through my hair. I could hear a squirrel in the forest scampering up trees, harvesting nuts for the winter or maybe he's hoarding.

Tok! The bamboo pipe hits the rock once more. The trickling stream creates a relaxing sound as the birds fly high and soar above me. I've been here for about 3 hours now.

I slowly rise and begin to walk towards my dojo when something catches my eye. In the reflection of the golden little gong hanging down from the beam of my roof, I see a slight rustle in the bushes behind me. I continue to stare at the gong and whatever was in the bushes obviously noticed me noticing it.

Suddenly an armor clad assailant comes charging out of the forest with a sword held high above his head. I can tell by the warrior's helmet that he is a samurai from the elite divisions. One of the highest ranks. I'm in his sword's range as he ferociously slashes at me. His cold steel blade cuts through my shirt inches away from my chest. This man is trying to kill me and I think I know why. Accidentally destroy one 50-foot monument and all of a sudden every samurai in Japan wants your head. He's the 4th one this week! I have no weapons on me while I stand against a 7-foot gorilla with a 70lb sword.

He quickly recovers and lunges at me again. I take a step to the left avoiding his attack. I crouch and attempt to sweep his legs but his armor absorbs the hit leaving him still up and me on the ground. The samurai raises his sword and stabs the earth as I narrowly dodge by rolling over to the side. I get back up onto my feet and notice that the samurai is resting on his sword, breathing heavily. I'm not sure if he's bluffing but what do I got to lose? Oh yeah, my life.

I rush towards the man going faster as I approach him. Like a kangaroo, I jump over the man kicking off his helmet before landing leaving him blurry eyed. I begin to hastily run toward the dojo. I slide open the screen door and enter. Realizing that my sword is being repaired over at Don Lu's place, I take a wooden sword off the wall. I was about to go back out to finish the job when I heard what sounded to be like electricity. Before I was able to inspect the strange noise, the ogre of a samurai comes rampaging through my screen door. I reacted unconsciously striking the beast in the back of the neck. He fell to the ground with a thunderous thud breaking my wooden floor. I shrug and head into the kitchen where the sound was coming from.

By the oven were of course, ninjas. In their hands were, woah wait seriously? They're holding a ball of frikin' electricity! How?! Oh yeah, they're ninjas. Ninjas can do just about anything. I hate ninjas. The 3 ninjas were covered with black clothing from head to toe. All 3 of them came charging at me with incredible speed. I could've countered all of their attacks but the enclosed kitchen space would not allow me to. They all hit me with perfect unison. The pain of the electric fists were unbearable and I blacked out.

Although I was unconscious, I could still hear and see what was going on in my mind. A brilliant flash of white light shone, blinding me. The light vanishes and I find myself in a familiar scene. Aromas of roses and honey followed by sunlight and laughter made me aware of my location, Lancaster, England. This was my hometown before the Incident. I examined my surroundings. I was standing on a dirt road. Behind me was a bakery. In fact it was Ronald's Bakery! I used to go there everyday with a single pound and Ronald would give me a case of 6 cinnamon buns. I recalled the mouth watering smell of the buns. I looked over to a small wooden house with a straw roof and recognized it almost instantly. It was my house! in the front door was a woman cradling a baby in both arms. "Mother!?" I cried. " Ma! Ma!" I ran towards her calling. I went to give her a big hug but my arms passed right though her. Dazed I t hought, " I'm a spirit, a ghost, completely invisible."

Mother then began to call a name. " Seth! Seth dear!"

I quickly turned my head around to see 2 young boys sword playing with sticks. The boy with black, mess, hair waring a sky blue tunic and brown cargo shorts heard his name and responded. " Yes Mama?"

" Be home for supper!"

" Of course!"

That boy was, me! The boy I was playing with was, no way, Pauly! Pauly had short, blond hair and was wearing a dark red tunic and a pair of jeans. He was easily dodging my strikes then striking back. I had no chance. I never did. Pauly was always like a brother to me. A big brother who would look after me and take care of me. One who would risk his life to make sure I was okay. Both of them stopped, panting. Pauly looked up at me. " Hey! You know what would be fun?" he asked.

"No what?" I said curiously.

Pauly always had something in mind which was sure to put a smile on my face.

" Let's go to the Dark Woods!"

That surprised me. " Are you sure? It's dangerous in there. We're only 10 and Abby disappear-"

" So! That's why we're going! To save her! To bring her back!"

"She disappeared a long time ago Pauly. I don't think she's still-"

" I do! She has to be. She's probably just lost that's all. I'm sure she's hiding in a tree waiting for someone to find her."

Pauly was so determined. He was determined in everything he did. I respected him.

"Are you in?" he asked.

Even though it was a question, I knew it was a demand. I agreed.

Suddenly the world turned to darkness. I could not see a thing. On the other hand I was terrified. The scene I had just witnessed was the day of the Incident. The day Pauly and I set out into the woods. The day we found Abigale's dead body hanging in a tree. The day where we were ambushed by a group of goblins. The day where Pauly gave up his own life to protect mine. The day where I narrowly escaped the dark, gnarled forest. The day where our quiet little village was bombarded. The day where everybody I knew and cared for died. The day where I was all alone. Ever since that day I have been traveling the world, trying to find a place to call home. Sadly, every single time I found a nice spot, something would always happen and I would be forced to leave.

Maybe death is good. Maybe the afterlife is my home. I would finally be able to see all my friends and family. I would be able to see my mother's smiling face once again. I would be reunited with Pauly and Abby. Maybe I should die.

Just when I was about to give into death, my eyes opened and I was back in the kitchen except this time I did not feel pain. I looked up and saw a translucent figure with short blond hair.

" P-Pauly?" I whispered softly.

The specter did not respond. In front of him were the ninjas lying on the ground unconscious. I look back up to the figure who was now slowly fading away.

" Pauly! Pauly is that you!?" I desperately yelled.

The spirit disappeared and I swear I heard a "That's me!"

I dropped to my knees in awe as I realized that Pauly, even though dead, is still watching out for me.

Why though? Why why why!? I grabbed at my hair. Why did he save me!? What purpose do I have to live?! A thought came to mind as I repeated the phrase I knew all to well. " To find my home."

2 weeks later I arrive back in Lancaster, England. I just managed to board the last plane yesterday and was able to make it here today. I walked down the dirt hill, through the forest, over the fields, and around the lake until finally, I made it back home. My real home. My original home. It's been only 10 years and the place is already back up and running. I'm a total stranger in this new town but I'm sure the villagers will be glad to have me. I can live in happiness now. I was so very grateful, so very joyful, so very happy! I tilted my head back and look up at the sky. I pointed up to it as if I were pointing to Pauly himself and yelled as loud as I could. "THANKYOU!"