Home Away From Home

• Thomas Creedon, Grade 9, Emmaus College - VCE Campus
• Short Story
• 2016

Excellence Award in the 'Top Secret 2016' competition

Stones crackled under my warm soles, and the nearby trees bristled along with the gentle breeze. The shiny metal gate creaked and the galloping of horses was clearly audible. My chest filled with excitement and my legs swiftly moved along the ground as I made my way down this lonesome and dry dirt track. I could see the wavy outline of the front door, but even closer, the clearing figures of two speeding dogs. It appeared as if they wouldn't stop, as if they would trample me over. But surely enough they slowed down, just in the nick of time. Their panting breaths and bobbing tongues, their soft fur and dirty paws, these features were so unique, not in an obvious way, but in an atmospherical way. Alas, I walked, and walked and walked. Time had seemingly slowed down. Although, it was not miserable, this was all comforting. The sun burnt my skin and I could smell fresh eucalyptus leaves, as well as dry grass and earth. All of these memory filled country smells entered my nose and reminded me of all the great moments I had spent here. I finally reached the front door, but instead of entering I turned. I continued around the house to the huge 5 acre paddock that lay ever so quietly. As I looked over this wonderful site, I scanned every single animal that roamed this land. I saw horses and alpacas, I saw chickens, canines and lumpy brown patches, but as I focused my watery eyes i realised that these were nut-like secretions from the alpacas. But this all added to the experience. I stepped off the decking and made my way down to the chicken pen and opened the gate, all while holding back two hungry dogs. I managed to get myself into the food scrap filled pen, step through the swarm of curious chickens and unlock the midget sized door to the den. I proceeded to curve my hand onto the nest and I rested my fingers upon three warm eggs.
Walking back to the house whilst firmly grasping the eggs caused me to feel like a mother protecting her babies. My senses alerted me to every possible danger within the area and my dirty hands seemed to be almost crushing the crumbly eggs.
The wooden steps whined and the decking groaned as I swiftly swept onto the back porch after returning from my journey. But the adventure was never over, as soon as I stepped foot onto the property I was transported into another world. A world filled with beautiful wildlife and stinky dogs. All my troubles seem to slip out of my mind, whilst all new wonderful experiences fill my brain with images of heaven on earth. BUT WAIT... I grasped my fingers around the shiny plastic bag and excitedly walked in the direction of huge four legged beasts all while I swung a bag of fresh carrots from my hand. I entered the paddock and pulled out what seemed to be an orange western pistol. As I held it up to my opposition they placed their horsy lips onto the tip of the carrot and seemed to create a vacuum inside their mouth that sucked up all food in sight. As I solemnly trotted back to the castle, I couldn't help but feel a feeling of accomplishment, a feeling of... Calmness. I had experienced true delight.