Lost Pebbles by Lucas
	His short and un-hurried steps sent sharp flares of the red dirt road up his denim-shrouded legs, leaving their rusted mark. He studied the unchanging road as if it were a mosaic of art that would be lost to all knowledge only moments later. As he approached the sporadically placed collection of corrugated iron sheds, and expressionless red brick houses, his pace and his gaze quickened, as he searched for change. Suddenly, his silent world was shattered by the angry exchanges of his parents coming from his house only meters away. He wanted to turn around and run from his troubles, but an arid gust of desert air demanded otherwise. His lips were parched, and legs weary. He ignored the screams and accusations, which cut at him deepest of all, as he hurried up the path to his house. It was lined with roses of pointless beauty and once well placed pebbles, which had at some point lost their place. He scowled at the sharp look of curiosity from the casual passer by, as she strolled by his old house and continued down the red-dirt road. If only the people here would mind their own business, things here wouldn't be half as bad. He dashed to his room, and shut the door firmly behind him. Then the silence, that always fell quickly after such a heated discussion. This was usually the time where his mother would come in and explain that it was just a disagreement and it would all be OK soon, but things had changed recently. Sure enough, a knock came at the door before her intrusive entry into the small room. She flashed him a quick smile, and took a seat next to him on the bed. "Your father and I have been discussing something that I have had on my mind for some time now. I've been offered a job at the firm I used to work for in the city, before I moved here with your father. I've accepted, but your father wants to stay here with the farm. You have to decide whether you want to come to the city with me, or stay here with your father." He quickly nodded, before the invitation could be rescinded. * * * He bundled his suitcases into the old Holden, and farewelled his father with a long hug. His father attempted to tilt his head so that the brim of his old and dusty hat would hide his sadness. His mother and father exchanged but a meaningful glance, and they were gone. The drive out of town was one that made him smile irresistibly. He would never regret leaving this place, the stale air lingered all about him even in this; it's time of defeat. The shades of grey and arid orange that illustrated the town faded until it was lost in the brown wash of the unending fields of sugar cane. The cornfields lurked all about him, beckoning them to stay, with their long and brittle limbs. But the gesture was futile. He awoke abruptly to a deafening roar. Cars, buses, people, and mammoth buildings screamed down upon him. They crushed him like he was the trash that lay in their un-important gutter. He peered out the window, through his still sleepy gaze. People, hundreds of people dotted the sidewalk moving so quickly that he could not familiarise himself with even one of their faces. The crowd became a blur, until he was suddenly amongst it with his suitcases in hand. He had to dodge the flow of people as he followed his mother up the short flight of stairs to their new home. He almost forgot to smile as he entered, and placed his things neatly about. He sat at the window until the streets were blazing with light. Red lights, white lights, green lights, yellow lights. They all forced themselves into him, stabbing at his un-shielded eyes. The morning had now arrived, but the sound remained constant. Traffic washed past his window even at this early hour. Still the people came, their direction and purpose a mystery. He took a short walk around the block, but was forced back by the revolting air and the concrete jungle that kept him from everything but the grey sky. The overwhelming sense of captivity engulfed him. His mother seemed to understand, he even wondered if the look in her eyes was relief. The trip back seemed short, but was lonely without his mother. He felt bad to be leaving her behind, but that place was not his. He was happy to be leaving, but un-happy to be returning. He searched his mind for a place where maybe he would belong, but he was distracted by something on the horizon. The tinted bus windows allowed for a good view of what was ahead. The sugar cane was similar, but something had changed. It now welcomed him, with a luscious embrace. The dust on the road was settled, and the approaching town seemed new. It was fresh, as if someone had painted the town in new colours. He realised that he was feeling glad to be home. Home. The idea was pleasing to him. He strode comfortably up the path toward his house, which was lined with red roses full of beauty that made him smile. The pebbles bordering the path that had once been lost had found their place. Right where they least expected it.