<h4>Chapter 7: Kael''s determination</h4>


    Back at StormRider''s House,


    After getting permission from Kael hurried through the dimly lit streets, his small frame moving slowly as he made his way back home. The soft glow of themp posts cast elongated shadows around him, and some of the light fell on his face making his features look innocent, creating a mysterious yet somehowforting ambience in the quiet night.


    As he approached their home, which was a few meters away, Kael''s heart raced with a mixture of nervousness and fear. He was not a big boy, He was only a five-year-old little boy who had his fears, he kept rubbing his cold hands, and his eyes were wandering, looking around to spot the creature,


    ''What if the monster dad has been telling me woulde?'' he thought. Now Kael could not help but worry about his younger brother, William, who had seemed downcast when they had arrived at Neena''s house earlier and he was alone at their house. With each step, he quickened his pace, eager to reach their home and find his brother.


    Unknown to Kael, his father, Hector, watched from a distance, hidden in the shadows. Although he had given Kael approval to go home and look after William, he couldn''t suppress the fear that gnawed at his heart. As a loving father, Hector worried for both of his sons, especially when they were apart.


    The silhouette of Kael moving through the dimly lit streets tugged at Hector''s heartstrings. He admired his elder son''s sense of responsibility and love for his brother, but he couldn''t shake the unease that came with watching Kael venture into the night alone. Despite his fear, he trusted Kael''s determination and knew that his sons shared a bond that would always keep them connected, no matter the distance or darkness thaty between them.


    As Hector watched from a distance, he saw Kael enter their home and gently close the door behind him. Their humble house was painted in warm earthy tones, with walls the colour of soft sand. The windows, adorned with simple curtains, allowed the moon''s soft glow to filter inside, casting delicate patterns of light on the wooden floors.


    Inside the house, Ustas, their trusty horse, slept peacefully in his corner. Kael''s careful and soft steps didn''t disturb the animal deep in slumber, and he purred contentedly in response to the presence of his young friend.


    Kael continued his search for his younger brother but he did not find William at his usual ce and that was his Wooden Horse swing. So Kael searched for him, calling out softly, "Williyum, where are you?" His voice was filled with concern and affection.


    Hector, once returned home, will now have a big mess to clean, as Kael had turned the whole living room upside down in search of his little brother, Then he went for the kitchen and yet found nothing, again!


    Tears pooled in Kael''s Misty-green eyes, There was dust on his face as he almost wept to the floor, looking for his brother. "Williyum..?" He sobbed wiping tears from his white shirt''s sleeves, "Where have you gone?.....Waaaaaaaaaaaa" and he cried. Kael stood up and climbed up the stairs to his room.


    As he reached there, he heard soft sobs, he looked around, confused ''Who is crying?'', "Williyum? Is that you??" Kael called for William.


    Following the faint sound of sobs, Kael made his way to their shared bedroom. The room was adorned with two simple wooden beds, each adorned with cosy cushions. Wooden toys and trinkets were neatly arranged on a small shelf. On one wall, there was a framed painting of a woman, her image gently faded with time but still radiating a sense of love and warmth.


    Kael knelt and peered under one of the beds, and there, hidden from view, was his little brother, William. His grey eyes sparkled with guilt as he tried to suppress his sobs. Kael''s heart warmed at the sight of his sibling''s yful sight, and he couldn''t help but smile as he found him now, "Gotcha Williyum, you little rascal!".


    Kael held him by the cor of his grey shirt and pulled him out, from under the bed, although it was not just William who was dragged, he also had a Red-warm shawl hanging down from his shoulder.


    "Big Bruder..." William looked at Kael with big teary eyes. But before he could say anything, Kael pulled William in a hug.


    Kael right now was not the child who was searching for his younger brother, afraid that something might happen to him, the way he looked reflected the relief he got as he found his brother safe and sound, right under their bed.


    "I am sowy, Bid Bruder.." William apologized to Kael,


    "It is all okay!" Kael grinned at his brother, seeming like, He understood the real reason why his brother had been hiding there, As he was guilty of his naughty actions. He was afraid their father might punish his elder brother. William loved his big brother, more than Hector, their father.


    The Red Shawl was of their mother''s La. She was no more in this world, but her clothes held her smell, faint but enough to soothe her children. William used this woollen fabric, as a plushie, instead of a doll his father bought for him from town.


    They missed their mother a lot.


    "Let us have supper, Okay Willyum?" Kael said as his stomach growled, followed by William''s stomach.


    The duo went downstairs, but their father still had note home. Kael helped William to hop on the dining chair as he could not do that by himself, Kael sat down all on his four.


    "Willyum" Kael called, and William got the hint with the help of his brother-cumdder, William sessfully sat on his dining chair. Kael hopped on his chair effortlessly.


    After their sitting struggle the boys began their supper, helping each other, mashed potatoes and fruits. Well, this was all they had on their table and the only adult in the family was not at home, as he was busy outside.