Dark Soul Silenced - Part One by Simon Goodson Page A

hunger, for food anyway, since he had been beaten by the outlaws.  He welcomed the feeling as another sign that the darkness had truly left him. 
    Sarah’s doubts had made him confront his own certainties, made him question whether the darkness was truly gone from his mind.  He came to the same conclusion as before.  He was certain that it was gone.  Right from the start, the morning he woke after having been attacked, he had felt something was not right, something was out of place.  Looking back he could now see that even then he had sensed the darkness within, had been aware of the changes in his body and mind.  That was gone now, replaced by a deep sense of peace.
    Mary woke soon after, the smell of the food pulling her from sleep.  She stood up and ran to her mother, both hugged the other tightly — but Daniel noticed a slight pause on Sarah’s part.
    “Mummy, I’m hungry.  Is it time to eat?”
    Daniel was pleased to hear the strength in Mary’s voice, to see that she had thrown off the strain of healing her father.  Sarah chuckled in reply.
    “Nearly.  Just a couple more minutes.  You can use that time to go wash up in the sea.”
    “ Oh… all right.”
    Mary scampered off towards the waves.  Sarah stared after her, uncertainty and worry mixing on her face.  She realised Daniel was studying her and abruptly returned to her cooking.
    “You worry about her,” Daniel said.  It was a statement, not a question.  “Do her powers worry you?”
    “ She’s my daughter,” Sarah snapped in reply.  “You know what she has been through recently.  Of course I worry about her.”
    Daniel held up his hands and nodded, deciding it was best to keep quiet.  He knew there was more to it, that Sarah was worried by her daughter as much as for her.  She clearly wasn’t going to discuss it with him though.
    Mary was having fun by the water’s edge, chasing the water out then fleeing as the next wave came rushing in.  Her delighted squeals seemed to touch something in Sarah, she looked at her daughter with a warm smile on her face, not clouded by any worry.  Daniel made certain he didn’t seem to be studying her, not wanting to break the moment.  She returned to stirring the food with a smile on her face.
    Finally Mary grew bored with her game, splashed her hands in the water then came running back up the beach.
    “Is the food ready mummy?  I’m starving!”
    “ Almost.  We need to wake your father.  Gently!”
    The last was shouted when it looked as if Mary would leap upon her father.  She settled for shaking his arm instead.  Jon opened his eyes and focused on his daughter.
    “Mary!” he said.  His voice was in stark contrast to Mary’s.  Subdued and weak, it was clear that he hadn’t fully recovered from his ordeal.  While the physical damage had mostly been healed his body was exhausted.  He sniffed and a little more life returned to his face.
    “ Something smells good,” he said.  “I hope it’s ready and you made lots.  I’m starving!”
    “ Yes, but it’s hot.”  Mary started to dish out the stew.  “Be careful — that means both of you.”
    Once Mary and Jon were settled with bowls of stew she spooned out some for Daniel and herself.  Daniel took a sip.  The flavour was amazing, partly because it was the first thing he’d eaten in many days he was sure.  He took a larger spoonful and nearly burnt his mouth.  Mary laughed as he breathed heavily through his mouth to cool the food.
    “You forgot to warn him!”  She paused for a few seconds, then spoke again.  “I don’t know your name.  What is it?”
    “ Daniel.”
    “ Daniel… that’s a nice name.  I’m Mary.”
    “ Pleased to meet you Mary.”
    After that there was little conversation as they all tucked into the food.  Mary and Jon had second helpings, wolfing down the food.  Daniel declined — he could have eaten more but didn’t need to.  He was able to get most of the energy his body needed