The Forgotten Eden by Aiden James Page A

somewhere—which could be worth a fucking fortune for all we know. Then, you bring up some shit about the ‘Season’ and whatever the hell that is. Now, you’re telling us to stay away from the woods—which, if you’d stop and think about it, you’d realize neither one of us has ever even visited the woods out back.’
    He shook his head in disgust.
    “‘ I mean, you’ve never even taken us hunting back there, ain’t that right? We’re always going to some place or another near Tuscaloosa or Demopolis for that type of shit. And, what’s up with the backyard? Why in the hell do we have to stay out of there, too? Have the aliens finally come back for their fucking sphere, or something?? I mean, come on !!!’
    “ I remember how Grandpa glared at Jeremy, refusing at first to respond to the barrage of insolent questions. He looked away from him and over at me, sitting wide-eyed in my chair, still overwhelmed by the day’s wonderful events and ever hopeful he’d somehow help make sense of all that’d happened so far. He smiled before turning his attention back to Jeremy.
    “‘ Perhaps you’re right about the sphere, son, or maybe you’re not,’ he said. ‘I reckon I’ve spent thousands of hours wondering if it had anything to do with the ‘Season’, or if it did come from outer space, or any of a hundred other places—I don’t really know. All I do know is that the ‘Season’ has been an event around these parts for a long, long time. Long before that damned sphere showed up in the backyard, that’s for sure.’
    “ He hesitated, as if worried he’d shared too much information.
    “‘ The legend of the ‘Season’ is very old,’ he advised, speaking slower as if screening his words before they escaped from his mouth. ‘The foreshadowing for it is often some sort of token that’s recognized as not being from around here. That thing Jack brought in here tonight? Could be something like it, or maybe not. Regardless, knowing the ‘Season’s legend was all the reason I needed to get rid of the damned thing. It didn’t feel right, keeping it in the house…. I mean it felt evil. Even if ya’ll don’t agree right now, perhaps someday you’ll both look back and realize I did the right thing.’
    “ Tears welled in his eyes again. The tip of the iceberg was all he’d divulged—I believe we both knew that. But, since this brought such obvious emotional pain to him, I knew he wasn’t going to reveal much more to us that night.
    “ Not wanting to upset him further, I didn’t ask any more questions. But I was extremely curious about the ‘Season’ and its legend. I especially wanted to know whether any of this could be related to my parents’ sudden disappearance twelve years earlier. It made sense, but I wanted confirmation from him.
    “‘ Grandpa...does this so called ‘Season’ have anything to do with what happened to Mom and Dad?’
    Jeremy broached the subject, and obviously, I was only slightly disappointed he’d done so.
    “ Grandpa regarded us both solemnly again.
    “‘ Perhaps,’ he offered, ‘I don’t know for sure…. But, that alone should make a strong enough case to stay away from the woods and the backyard for the present time.’
    He scooted his chair back and stood up from the table. He walked over to the back door and peered through the storm door’s window once more. Outside, the early evening light faded to twilight. It would be dark soon, and gaining the upper hand on something sinister was disappearing as quickly as the day’s light.
    “‘ Jack’, he said, still staring out the window. ‘Tell me once again about the lizard you saw today.’
    “ Before responding I glanced at my older brother. Being ridiculed once fulfilled my daily quota for embarrassment, I’d decided, willing to wait it out until Jeremy gave me his assurance he’d be merciful to the storyteller this time.
    “‘ What?? ’ he snapped, irked again by me staring at him. ‘What in