Double Life (pt 2)

This is not one of my best work but I thought to put it up anyway. Mini writer's block coming so production will be a bit slow. Taking a break from the Adapters series, other series (aka the Reedsy casts) will be postponed until after the summer, if at all. I apologize in advance.

This story is also pretty short, but I can't really force anything else out of it without making it sound rushed. There will be maybe two more parts after this one, and don't worry, I will return to my normal cliffhangers in part 3 of this ;)

Need more words still so blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah, more words, let me publish, I don't like the word limit, akjdaniiuakhcnas, also I am bored on Remind and Reedsy I love chatting and roleplaying lol okay enough stalling time for the story.

I stand at the entrance of the enchanted forest once again, the leather bag on my back filled with goods. I walk with a slight limp into the forest. My mother was worried sick when she saw me limp into the house, and I had told her it was from falling from a tree. It was the truth- there were a few bare trees in the field, but their branches were spindly and easily broke. She applied medicine and sent me out the door with a warning, but instead of going to the field like I should, I went towards the forest. I inhale the fresh scent of moss and pollen once again, the bright colors dancing in the wind. I come across the pond once again, and I set down my bag and remove my clothes, revealing the tattered undergarments beneath. I splash in the pond, giggling as the fresh droplets sprayed in the air. I hear a slight rustling in the bushes and I smile, my wet brown hair draped over my shoulders. 

“Come on in, Wolfie!” I shout. “The water’s nice and cold!”

“I’d rather not,” said Wolfie, stepping out from behind the foliage.”

I giggle and splash some water her way. She lowers her ears and backs up farther from my reach, looking more annoyed than anything. I splash in the fresh pond water for a little while before putting on my clothes and braiding my wet hair.

I sit down next to Wolfie, resting my head against her soft fur. 

“Want to know why I named you Alaska?” said Wolfie, her bright blue eyes gazing across the horizon.

“Why?” I ask. 

“Because I had a little pup that looked like you- at least, as close as a wolf can look like a human. Her name was Australia- we had a think naming our children by places- and she had green eyes exactly like yours. She liked climbing trees and hunting rabbits and adventuring. She loved going out to explore, despite my warnings. But one day, she went too far, and I couldn’t get to her in time. The hunters killed her, and I watched the light drain from her eyes. The hunters came after me next, so I defended myself. Left several of them running out of the woods. One didn’t survive.”

“Oh…” I mumble, feeling uneasy. “I didn’t know.”

“Well now you do,” Woflie looks into my eyes. “Don’t make the same mistake, Alaska. Don’t venture too far into the world you weren’t born in, unless you want to end up like her.”

“But I don’t want to leave you,” I whine, tears glistening in my eyes. “I like it better here. The kids back home are mean. Please, Wolfie, let me stay.”

“I wish I could,” whispers Wolfie. “But it’s for your own good.”

“Can I come back one more time? Please? We’ll have a little party, just you and me, to say goodbye.”

Wolfie sighs. “I suppose that’s fine.”

“Yay!” I shout. I jump up and grab my bag, expelling the contents on the floor. “I got you some meat from the market. I know it’s not fresh, but it’s really good. Oh, and here are some berries.” I remove a small knapsack from my waist and fill it with water from the pond as Woflie examines the meat in the bag. I tie up the knapsack and stuff it in the bag, then slide the leather sack down my arms. “I’ll bring more tomorrow for the party. Bye, Wolfie!”

Wolfie nods at me as I walk out of the forest and into the field. The little boy from before gives me a curious look, his hazel eyes staring straight into mine before flitting away. Parents flood through the gate, greeting their children after a long day harvesting. I shove past them and make my way home, bursting through the wooden door and into my room before my mother can even greet me. I feel both nervous and excited about the party- it’s my first in a long time. No one ever really talked to me since my father’s death, but things are different now. I comb out my hair as mother walks in, a concerned look on her face.

“What’s the rush?” she asked.

“Nothing,” I say breathlessly. “Some of the kids want to have a little party in the field to celebrate the harvest. Can I go, mommy?”

“I guess it’s alright. Why don’t you take some snacks? I believe I have some ham I can make.”

“Sounds perfect!” I tell her. She nods and walks out of the room, the last wisps of her brown hair disappearing behind the doorway.

I grab my bag and take out the knapsack full of water, then feel something else. I grope in the bag and pull out a fruit, round and blue like Wolfie’s eyes.