Welcome Ciaran Novel – Chapter 5
The flashback begins…
Jonathan enjoys his morning routine, sitting on a café terrace and sipping a hot drink. It’s surprisingly warm and bright for this time of year, but Jonathan won’t complain.
A great day always starts with good weather. That means I won’t hear any nonsense from my nephew that will affect my health. That’s good!
“Excuse me, sir,” an elderly woman interrupts. She looks dirty and exhausted from a long walk, clutching a stick to help her keep her balance while her worn-out clothes protect her from potential sunburn. “May I ask you something?”
Bloody beggar! Why does she have to disturb me during the best time of my day?
“Would you mind helping an elderly woman?” the lady begs. She puts her hands out, as if to get some food. “I haven’t eaten since my lost nephew died and it’s been weeks. Please sir, I don’t have any savings and need to eat something, otherwise I won’t last another day.”
“Look at me closely, beggar,” Jonathan says quietly. “Do I look like a church volunteer? If you think so, your eyes failed you a long time ago. Unless your nephew’s death affected your eyes. In that case, it’s probably time for you to join your dear nephew and stay away from me.”
Jonathan whispers the last sentence because he doesn’t want to worry the beggar too much. Although he’s acted ruthlessly, Jonathan feels some sort of compassion for the old woman, though he won’t shed a single tear if she were to drop dead at his feet. His morals require him to be kind to others, especially to a needy woman.
Unfortunately, Jonathan’s act of kindness is limited to a silent prayer, after which he returns to his business. Looking at his expensive watch, he happily realises he has some time before work. Holding his cup of coffee close to his lips, Jonathan pauses when he notices the elderly woman hasn’t moved and is still looking at him.
“You look like a wealthy man, sir. Wouldn’t you take pity on an elderly woman begging for food?” the beggar insists.
“Should I?” Jonathan asks, slightly pissed off now. He doesn’t like getting interrupted when he eats. “I suggest you follow your nephew’s fate if living with honour is too painful. Who knows? You may never feel hunger or thirst in the afterlife, which is a blessing that humans are forbidden to taste.” Jonathan lights a cigarette, the first inhale of nicotine relaxing him. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to enjoy my breakfast without the stench of poverty.”
“So be it!”
The voice is a strange mix of an elderly and young woman, sparking Jonathan’s curiosity. Glancing back at the beggar, a powerful light forces him to look away immediately. That’s when the magic comes. The world around Jonathan changes: furniture and plates are swallowed up, the bright sky turns grey and throws down hailstones, humans’ bodies turn into shadows, and the ground becomes as soft as pudding.
What’s going on? Is it the end of the world? The sky’s moving further away! My body’s sinking deeper into the abyss. Where’s it taking me?! My voice! I’ve lost my voice! Bloody hell! Whose hands are those?
The world looks strangely bigger than it used to and Jonathan has no idea as to what just happened. The magic slowly disappears, and a click resonates in the air. Then, a few moments later, the world that Jonathan knows is back to normal: the bright sky above his head, furniture and plates back in their place, shadows making way for humans, and the ground solid as it should be. The only thing that isn’t back to normal is the sense that the world is so big.
A bad feeling crosses Jonathan’s mind who looks down to see his three-piece suit lying on the ground, right where he was eating his breakfast. Although Jonathan can’t find his body anywhere, he knows he’s still alive. But he isn’t too concerned because a chubby child – standing where his body should have been – has caught his eye. Jonathan gets a chance to scold him, the voice of a young woman makes him forget about the lost child.
“Your bad behaviour is harming the kind people of Beneath,” the witch says. A bright, powerful energy radiating from her. “I’ve used my magic power to protect them and punish you. You see, I’m a witch, Sir. I was born to test those accused of bad behaviour and check if they had any kindness left. Unfortunately, you failed to show me your humanity, refusing to help someone in need.”
It must be a dream! How could I possibly fail to prove my kindness? I’m one of the nicest men in this bloody city!
“Here is your punishment: from now on, you’ll be trapped in a child’s body until a generous soul takes pity on you. Then, make a pact with your nephew to unlock your ability to be heard: that’s my gift for you. You have twenty four hours ahead to get your gift granted; otherwise, the spell will remain. Your nephew must receive a kiss and I promise it’ll lift the curse.”
With these words, the witch kissed the child’s forehead before stepping back. Closing her eyes, she whispered powerful incantations while making strange, but elegant movements with her hands. A minute later, baby Jonathan was alone in a cloakroom, sitting in a box with nothing but a light sheet that would barely keep him warm. The witch didn’t leave him any food or clothes, fitting for an ungrateful man who doesn’t deserve such kindness.
What is this place? How am I going to get home?
Despite the awkward situation, Jonathan doesn’t panic: there’s no reason to. Instead, he thinks of how to connect with employees and explain the situation. When that’s done, he’ll let a group of bald men go after a witch and make her pay for her foolish decision.
That was a brilliant idea until Jonathan remembered he couldn’t talk. Or it would be more accurate to say he can’t be understood unless he ‘makes a pact with his nephew’ that allows others to decipher his baby talk.
Before he has time to curse, Jonathan hears singing from the shower room. A few minutes later, a familiar voice reaches Jonathan’s ears and he knows exactly who the man is.
“What’s the plan for the night? Maybe study for that finance exam… Huh? Whose box is this? It wasn’t here before, was it?”
End of Flashback
