THE ANCIENT PATH

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER FIVE

(Continued)

 After an afternoon spent with the mostly cheery and affectionate old lady, Gabe headed back to Jim's.

On the way, crossing a street, he thought he saw one of the councillors who had called on him.

Probably heard I am not well, thought Gabe and keeping clear.

He had, by now, undergone further tests and a spinal tap and was a little fed-up. It was then he decided to visit Angel and Geoff the next day.

With him, he took Jim's best wishes, food, drink and a small backpack. It was a beautiful day and Gabe felt his spirits rise as he headed away from the confines of Paradise.

Autumn wildflowers bloomed and birds soared on the thermals above the hills. Smaller birds twittered around the young man and he began to feel much happier about his life.

Not far from Geoff's small house, Gabe stopped for lunch, not wishing to be indoors just yet. From where he perched, he could see the river far below and, as he watched, a thick mist began to form and rise higher.