The Solitarian: Part 1 of The Amaranth Series Read Online Free PDF Page A

you.”
    “Mom…you should be happy that I am enjoying life in the mountains.”
    “I am. For a moment your dad thought for sure that you would ask to come to school here instead.”
    “No…I mean I like it here and I would love to return here one day but I’ve had enough of roughing it.”
    “Ha.” She winces and places her thumbs against her temples. “If you think that this is roughing it my darling you are clearly mistaken. We have everything we need in this cabin, roughing it doesn’t come close to this, my young, sweet, spoiled, Kenna. Go ahead have a great last day. I’ll see you later.” She says entering the kitchen.
    “I understand ‘roughing it’ more than you think mom. You get some rest.” I blow a kiss toward her and hurry to pack my party on the go. As I lug my special day packed neatly into my basket, I think about how Keyan will do without me. He will go back to his dingy garments and stinky hair, eating berries and toasting furry little animals on a spit behind his cave. I reach the entrance and there is a fiery path lit for me. Keyan has something special in mind as well. I follow the flame that is comprised of torches aligning the walls. The caves are so beautiful. I get a glimpse of the artsy patterns that the past has created along the crevices. It isn’t as bad as one may think. Although I would never want to live here it hasn’t been so terrible for Keyan. I pass through the tunnels anxiously making my way to his personal living space. When I arrive, things are changed around. He has some of his books out and the rest are packed neatly away. His bed has been taken down and he has a cover spread out for us to sit. I smile. He is not as primitive as one would think. Living out here all alone has not taken his humanity like I imagined it would have.
    I search the cave with my eyes and he is out of sight. I call out to him and set my basket onto the blanket that is laid out.
    “Keyan!” my voice echoes throughout the caves and into the tunnels. I call out once more. “Keyan!”
    “I’m here McKenna.” I hear his smooth low toned voice call back out to me. I sit down beside my basket and unload the breakfast that I prepared. I hear footsteps as I plate the French toast. I slather maple syrup on top of it before I rake the sausage alongside. I place the knives and forks down as he approaches.
    “I been out all morning picking these for you.” I turn to face him and he has the most amazing, exotic flowers that I’ve ever laid eyes on. The array of colors intrigue me. Some of the flowers in the bouquet are unknown to me. Before I can stand he holds his hand out for me to stay seated. He leans forward and hands them to me. The fragrance hits my nose and the smell is incredible. “I hope that you like them.”
    “I love them Keyan thank you. Come on sit.” I lie them beside me and pick up my fork to eat.
    “Wait…” he gently places his hand on my forearm and I drop my fork. “I would just like to say a few things before we start. I am so thankful for everything that you have given me McKenna. I thought that I would live in my world alone forever. I had no desire to leave my solitary for anyone or anything. I hated who and what I am. But since I made your acquaintance, I wonder what else I am missing in this beautiful world. Today I am very thankful to you and my creator for giving me another chance.”
    “That was really sweet Keyan.” I say as he digs into his first meal of the day. I watch as he devours the food that I prepared. As we eat I study his deceiving features. He speaks as if he is old but his face, the part that is visible, says that he is as young as I am.
    After we finish our breakfast, we drink a little water and talk. About an hour passes and he slowly hands me a book. Eager to read it, I carefully open and flip through it as he began to speak.
    “This book is from the 1712. It was written by a man name Sir Delavan St Grison.” I strum through the weather