Simplicities [Dars]

A stone skipped across the surface of the pond, landing with a soft “plop” after the third bounce. The action sent ripples across the water, distorting the reflection of the clear, afternoon skies. With a sigh of content, Fabian Ruins leaned his head back against his favorite oak tree, savoring these few moments of tranquility. The various branches of the tree shielded him from the sun’s powerful rays; Rays that beat down against his skin hour after hour during his days of hard labor. As a district ten farm worker, the sun was Fabian’s most despised enemy, but it was also the welcoming of a newborn day. At the moment, Fabian was escaping the sun’s piercing light. After much coaxing and pleading, his younger siblings had convinced him to take a small break and travel to the market in town. His body had been drenched with filth and sweat. A brief dip in the pond fixed that dilemma.

A cool breeze suddenly embraced him. The shirtless boy with damp, untamed hair stood up and ventured into the light brush of the wooded area. Strolling through the district without a shirt was not the best way to present himself, but it was more appealing than the alternative. His shirt had been too soiled. It was practically a canvas for sweat and dirt. Fabian would rather not walk around carrying such an awful odor. Also, it was not uncommon to spot men wandering the district without shirts. Those who labored outside always preferred to remove their shirts--That is, if their skin could withstand the powerful sunlight.

Fabian could hear the change jingling in his pockets as he moved. The task of purchasing bread at the bakery had been assigned to him by his siblings. He had objected the idea of abandoning his work, but decided to appease them for the time being. However, once he returned home, the difficult hours of laboring would begin once more. As he approached the bakery, his thoughts wandered to the tasks that awaited him on the farm. It constantly felt like there were piles of things that needed to be completed. They were giant weights on his shoulders, and he could only carry them for so long. Fabian suddenly quickened his pace.

The ringing of a bell welcomed him to the bakery as he pushed the door open. Once inside, he stood in the small line that had formed in front of the main counter. Normally, patience was one of his closest companions, but his anxiety was rapidly increasing. The line needed to move quicker. Fabian had to return home in time to finish his work, or else his family would find themselves in deep trouble.