A Friend's Guilt

The young man who had reeled down Charles was Bard Clark, an 18-year-old from the sunny town of Prairie Oaks. He was an orphan who hung around in the streets until the local bartender adopted him. While prepping drinks, he heard about the winter stories of Snowbell and in his fascination, journeyed out to see it for himself.  

When arriving in town, it was love at first sight. Instead of oak trees, it had scattered pines that touched the sky with snow that glittered like gems. Even though the cold was something his body frigidly regretted feeling, all these new things were exciting enough to get used to.

But with the sightseeing he had with his horse Fern, the struggles of building his own home, along with all the other things he did on his own were now a memory as he was one of the first settlers to leave Snowbell behind. The keepsake he has is the tablecloth that Charles greeted him with when they first met and has it under his saddle.

He had been traveling for a month straight on his horse through the transition of the cold weather and into something more familiar, the sunny days. At the distance, Bard was relieved to see Prairie Oaks once more, whipping the reins.

"Fern, gally up!" 

His trusty partner at hearing his command neighed and galloped away the last few miles home. At the edge of the town, a little girl in a petit dress walks along in hand with their older brother carrying a basket of fruit. Her view turns to the fields and recognizes the galloping duo.

"Look brother, it's Fern and Bard!" Her excitement is felt through her jumps and arm swings as her brother struggles to focus his view.

"Settle down would ya, I'm trying to- Hey come back!"

Bard edges Fern to slow down with a slight tug as he notices the little girl running towards him and their brother just behind her.

"BAAAAARD! FEEEERRRN!"

"EMILY COME BACK!"

Bard was shocked at how much the little girl had grown up as she cuddled Fern.

"Emily, I swear don't run off like that! What if the guy ain't Bard!"

"But he is..." She cooed while patting Fern in contentment and all he could do was huff his breath out to regulate the heartbeat.

"It's good to see ya, Bard, but what brings ya back home?"

His question rang in his head for a bit since he didn't want to mention the events of Snowbell. Bard enjoyed the community that was being built, the view was beautiful, but staying meant being the only resident, a haunting thought.

"It's good to see you too Ed, I just thought uh... attend the festival!"

Ed laughed since the festival wasn't until another month!

"Ya really early then Bard."

Bard hops off his horse and the three of them along with Fern kept on conversing their way back to town, but mostly led by Emily abruptly interrupting the guys which triggered her brother. Bard couldn't help, but laugh at the siblings quarreling.

Unknowingly, the townspeople grow quiet and weary of the group as their conversation seems to be the only noise around, but it quickly catches Ed's attention.

"Am I that weird look'n Bard?"

"No...I don't-"

Bard was interrupted by a forceful shove, falling on the ground, startling Fern in the process.

"Hey you two, get away from him!" A tall teen yells out at the siblings as he pulls them away from Bard.

"Gosh Reggie, don't scare us like that, it's Bard! Don't ya remember him?" But Ed's attempt made him panic even more as he feels unsettled at everyone's attention is clearly at all of them now.

Emily poorly punches Reggie's back for scaring Fern. "Hey, what gives Reggie!"

Bard winces a bit as he stands on his feet and pats down Fern to calm down.

"Yeah I know him, but I'm no friend of a murderer. "