Chapter Text
John’s life was more extraordinary, in better terms, than the general public’s. The isolated and peaceful lifestyle of the woods in the middle of nowhere was less enticing and romantic, to say the least. Amongst all the books he’s read, it isn’t quite how it’s described, typically.
It always seems to be depicted as a free, idyllic, and beautiful experience. While some of that can be partially true, since he could admire nature itself, it was never quite as magical. The reason they moved here was not frivolous, after all.
John was 17 years old, being homeschooled by his father, who also happened to be John. It seemed to be traditional, because previous generations of fathers had been named that in his dad’s side of the family. Though to John—not the father—it carried no significance. But certainly, he never admitted that to his parent.
The insistence on moving here was never explained thoroughly than it should’ve been, he thought. However, it’s not as if he was going to argue against his father. Because he always had a good reason, and John placed his trust in him. No questions asked.
Living alone with him wasn’t terribly a poor thing in itself, but John missed being in a public school. With his father homeschooling him, he did appreciate all the effort, but it was never the same as it used to be.
Back then, he had friends and socialized much more. Even if it was all the way since primary school, he had hazy, yet fond memories of it all. It’s been years now, but he sincerely misses that brief time where he properly spent time with others.
Nonetheless, John was grateful for his father’s hard work in teaching him everything he knows now. Hearing him go on about all kinds of subjects amazed him, with how knowledgeable his dad was. He looked up to him. That was all he could do, with such a great model, wasn’t it?
He’s getting distracted. The point was, he moved here ages ago and it’s only now that he realizes that he’s feeling discontent. John didn’t want to be bratty, or unappreciative. Being a bad child was one of his worst fears, with wanting to impress his father, of course. But deep in his heart, he admits that he wants more than what he has currently.
John perks his head up from his desk, his eyes daring to droop as he just remembered where he was. In his room, dozing off, since he had absolutely nothing interesting to do. Nowadays, he felt like he was getting more and more bored, outside of his dad’s daily lessons.
His finger idly taps on his desk, as the sunlight cracks through the cabin’s window. Knowing that his posture wasn’t favorable, he quickly readjusts himself to sit up, yawning slightly. The night before, John hadn’t gotten much sleep. And he hasn’t been for quite a bit, feeling more restless for whatever reason he couldn’t pinpoint.
Maybe going outside would help ease the discontent he’s been feeling. Perhaps, though roughly 90% of the time it wasn’t true, he’ll find something intriguing. Each time he goes out, he’s has been aiming to go further and further away from the house, in hopes of something new.
Admittedly, John always felt nervous to ask his father to go out, since he never gave an easy ‘yes’. However, he decides to build up the courage to get off the chair, and leave his room. He walks past the restroom next door, and the closet, scanning the area for his dad.
Must’ve been in his office again, certainly. John made it to the living room, without seeing a trace of him. Stepping towards the opposite hallway, he finds the office door to be closed with some light seeping under it. Taking a deep breath, he knocked the door.
Patiently waiting, he held his hands together in slight anticipation and hope. Then, the door unlocked and his father came to view.
“Johnny, I’m busy. What is it?” He asks, making him swallow in anxiety.
“Is it alright if I go outside? I’ll be back before supper, I promise you.” John spoke quickly, and more eagerly than he meant to.
Letting out a long, and hesitant sigh, his father nods his head. “Go ahead,”
John held back his grin and nodded his head, before immediately turning to leave the cabin. Hearing the door shut, he let out a sigh of relief. This time, he definitely had to make his trip worthwhile.
~
It’s been at least an hour now, he thinks to himself, as his legs threatened to give out. But, he had to stick with his mission, to get far enough to find something that might make his day. Besides, John’s dream is to make it out of the forest and see other people again.
A disturbing thought suddenly came to mind. Why is it that he isn’t allowed to see others, or at least visit every now and then? It’s been years since he’s seen another person, excluding his dad. He’s sure it’s fine, but still. It bothered him.
John stopped in his tracks, aware of the fact that he should start heading back now, or he’ll be late for dinner. Letting out a disappointed sigh, he turns back around, the soil scratching slightly against his shoes. Unadventurous, and nothing achieved yet again.
The tree just in front of him blocked his view slightly. It was ginormous, as John tilted his head up to see just how tall it was. Based off the structure, he could speculate that it might’ve been an Oak tree.
Then, he had an idea. One he knows he probably shouldn’t indulge in, but, with this much latitude, he couldn’t help himself. John walks up to the trunk of the tree, and puts his hands on it, his left grabbing a small ledge on it.
Climbing the large tree, he carefully grasps onto the branches and makes his way up, trying not to fall in the process. If he could get a full sight of the forest…
Once he reached the very top, he struggled to balance on the branch he was on. His arms wobble slightly as he tries to find his balance while standing. With where he was, he could see the rest of it all!
John’s heart sank as it was only trees. No buildings, no towns, no people in sight. Despite the distance he walked from the cabin, they were truly in the middle of nowhere. He had no hope now for—
The branch snaps with a loud CRACK. John yelps as he fell, but manages to grab onto one of the previous branches he climbed. With fast breaths, he tilts his head down, before suddenly letting go and falling straight to the forest floor with no grace whatsoever.
Groaning in slight pain, he turns over and blinks slightly, processing what had just occurred. “Ugh…” he mutters to himself, before sitting up. John sat up, and knew he had to go home right this instant, hoping his father wouldn’t get upset for his disheveled appearance.
~
John’s father did get angry with him. His punishment was such that he wasn’t permitted outside for a few days now. Unfortunately for him, that meant that life would get more boring that it already was. He couldn’t stop recalling how there was nothing nearby in the woods, at the top of the tree.
No hope for asking his father to go outside, and hanging out with people his age. Or going to stores, or learning how to drive, or doing what any normal person would do at 17. John was filled with dismay.
During dinner, he was silent. Not that he wasn’t allowed to speak, but with the tenseness of the atmosphere, he felt like he couldn’t. He was afraid that maybe even saying a word would further upset his father, so John decided to zip his mouth shut.
~
As it was time for bed, John went to his room without saying goodnight to his dad, and closed the door. Having a curfew time wasn’t fun either. John had barely ever left the house when it was night, since his father had forbidden him from doing so.
As he settled under the covers, a slight wave of sadness washed over him. Not only had he acted rashly and disappointed his dad, but he had no chance of even meeting other people. They were more isolated than he ever thought, and John was dejected at that fact. Knowing he shouldn’t feel this way and should remain grateful, he decides to turn to his side, with the covers barely touching his chin.
~
Clank…clank.
John awakened at a faint, but still audible sound. His heart pounded at the suddenness, and he turns to his nightstand slightly to look at the time.
1:46 A.M.
It was incredibly early in the morning! But that didn’t make sense. What could his father be doing at such a late hour? It wasn’t like him to work this late, not at all.
Clank…clank…
Once again, John hears a similar sound. He hesitates before slipping out of bed and rubbing his eyes. He walks over and turns on his lights to see his room. Then, stepping out, he could’ve sworn he had heard it somewhere near the living room. Though hating to admit it, he felt scared.
Walking into the living room, he didn’t sense that anything was off. John silently hoped there weren’t rodents around. That would be difficult to deal with, from what he’s read. He decides to switch over and look in the kitchen now.
John didn’t see anything off until one of the cabinet doors were open, very slightly. It wasn’t noticeable from afar, but now it was clear. He peeks inside, not finding anything noteworthy. Looking back at the counter with all the plates and glasses organized neatly, he saw something was a bit strange.
He and his father haven’t had tea in quite a long time. John remembers enjoying it, but seeing a teacup turned upside down behind some of the plates was strange. Wanting to fix it and reorganize it, he reaches over and picks up the teacup.
As he did, John nearly dropped it at the sight of a…tiny person. A tiny person. A small human. An individual who looked just like him but…impossibly smaller! His heart drops with the unexpectedness. Using his other hand, John claps it over his mouth, not wanting to cause a ruckus. Though just about now, he did want to freak out.
The person looked even more shook, as they were trembling on the spot they seemed to be hiding under with the teacup. John couldn’t process what was going on. It was unimaginable and insane to him. He had to be half-asleep still, he had to be!
But as he took a curious step closer, letting go of his mouth slightly with hesitance, he saw that the person before him was a young man too, with a horrified expression plastered onto his face.
The smaller individual scrambled to his feet and suddenly began running on the counter, not making much distance with their size, of course. John swallowed, feeling startled at the movement. “W-Wait, please—“ He spoke weakly, with uncertainly in his voice.
He didn’t bother even looking at him, and disappeared behind all the plates. John’s heart was racing with the new revelation. No. No. He needed answers! What was going on? Just who was this person? He moves over and grabs the plates, moving them slightly to see the other boy.
“Wait..!” John says, spotting him amongst the silverware and whatnot, he grabs him with his hand not carrying the teacup.
At this, he began struggling frantically, trying to escape his grip, despite that by doing so, he’d take a fatal fall to his death. John tries to adjust to this, feeling overwhelmed as well with what was happening. “Please don’t—“ But before he could finish his sentence, he noticed something.
The person was only panicking even more, making him struggle to keep him in his grip without squeezing him too hard and constricting air. John, despite all the chaos and confusion, didn’t want to potentially hurt him any further.
He quickly set him back down by the plates and stared at him wide-eyed, noticing how he glanced at him before running off and just barley squeezing through a small hole on the corner of the counter.
John’s heart was pounding. Out of all things he would’ve been inclined to see, this was not something he had in mind. He wasn’t sure who this person was, why he was here or…how his own existence was even possible! Yet, John couldn’t help but reflect on how afraid he was when he picked him up in his hand, like a collectible figure.
In hindsight, he regrets that. He made him more scared, and it’s possible he might never see him again. A wave of disappointment comes over him. Once again, John had messed up today. He might not ever get answers as to what just happened. An aching curiosity fills his chest, though easing the boredom, he felt guilty for how he had treated the smaller person.
Should he ever come across him again, John would try to make sure to be a bit more gentle. Grabbing him out of nowhere was disrespectful and of course fearful from his point of view. He wanted to try and be a bit more empathetic. He sighs while setting the teacup back down near the plates.
John leaves the kitchen and goes back to his room, unanswered questions overfilling his mind as he pondered on the situation. But while lying back down underneath his covers, he couldn’t stop thinking about it, and once more, he was restless.