Double Life (pt 1)

This story is not related to the prompt.

This story is inspired by Mommy Ivy and Wolfie. Thanks for the avocado meelk and rabbits.

I sit at the table, fingering the cracks in the wood that had formed over the years. I pick at my food, a small bowl of oats, taking a bite every now and then. My mother walks to the table with her own bowl of oats, wiping her brow as she sets down her food. 

“Remember, Abigail, you must be careful,” she says, pointing her wooden spoon in my direction. “It’s harvest season, so there should be many kids near the fields to play with. Make some friends, be polite, and stay in the field.”

“Yes, mommy,” I respond politely. “May I go now?”

“Eat your breakfast first, dear. And take your bag. I packed some snacks in case you get hungry since I’ll be at the harvest most of the day. You’ll be spending time with the other kids whose parents are at the harvest as well.” She stands up, grabbing the small brown bag in the corner of the small dining room. I stand up as well, taking a last bite of my oats as she slides the leather straps through my arms. 

“Be safe, dear,” she mumbles, planting a kiss on my forehead. 

“Ok mommy!” I say cheerfully, rushing out the door.

“And don’t go into the enchanted forest!” she calls out after me, but I barely hear her over my excitement.

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I walk to the field, gazing across the grass and the weeds full of squealing children. I pull a strand of my brown hair behind my ear as I notice a small boy staring at me. He seems about my age, maybe 9 or 10, his amber eyes gazing into my hazel ones. I look down, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment as I hear a howl come from the forest. Everyone stops what they’re doing, facing the enchanted forest, hushed whispers filling the air. 

“The hunters are probably out again”

“Do you think they killed another wolf?”

“My uncle is a hunter. He brought back wolf meat last night”

“Isn’t that the girl who’s daddy was attacked by wolves?”

“I heard he turned into a werewolf”

“Werewolves aren’t real, silly”

“They could be”

I lowered my head as their gaze shifted towards me. Heat flooded my cheeks as I backed up and away from the field, hiding behind a small wooden structure. I looked towards the enchanted forest, where gossip and giggles were replaced with quiet chirping and the scurrying of squirrels. I stepped into the forest, away from the curious eyes of the others, enchanted by its marvelous beauty. It’s foliage was full of not just greens, but dazzling blues and purples and yellows. Flowers of all kinds grew anywhere: the trees, the ground, even in the vines. Small critters dash across the grass and up the trees, birds sing their sweet melodies, gentle streams splash against the rocks. I have never seen such beauty, and I wonder why my mother- and everyone else- would hide this from me. 

I continue walking through the forest, keeping an eye on the sun so I will know when to go back. I come upon a small pond, the water so clear that you can see the bottom. I bend down and splash the cold water on my face. I hear a small rustling in the bushes, but ignore it, thinking it to be a stray squirrel. I glance up to see a small round fruit hanging from a tree, the blue exterior mimicking that of a large blueberry. I remove my shoes and climb up the tree, licking my lips as I imagine the sweet juice coating my tongue. I balanced precariously on the thinning branches, finally reaching the fruit. I reach out for it when I hear a snap, and I instinctively grab a hovering branch. The fruit falls to the ground, landing in the plush grass below. I swing myself up, using the trunk for support. I search for a way down, but the fallen branch was the only one within reach without the risk of falling. I wrap my arms around the trunk of the tree, using my feet to probe for a foothold. I give a small yelp as a thorn imbeds itself onto my hand. I pull my hand towards me as I lose my footing, grasping at the trunk as I fall to the ground. I land flat on my back, and a sharp pain spreads through my spine. I gasp, the breath knocked out of me, unable to move. My eyes are squeezed shut as I lie on the ground helpless. I gasp for breath, feeling the sudden presence of someone next to me. I see a blurry figure with bright blue eyes before I lose consciousness. 

*****

I wake with a groan, my mind still fuzzy. I open my eyes and take in the scene around me. It seems I’m in a large cave, the smell of mildew and moss merging in the air. I sit with my back against the wall of the cave and I wince, a sharp pain hitting my spine. I hear a small growl at the mouth of the cave, and I grab a nearby stick for defense. I raise it in front of me, ignoring the pain. A snout emerges from the entrance of the cave, followed by silver fur and bright blue eyes. The wolf growls, teeth bared as it walks towards me.

Fear shoots through my body, remembering the horrid stories of the creatures in the enchanted forest. 

“Who are you?” growls the wolf, its blue eyes piercing into my soul.

“Y-you can talk,” I whimper.

“Yes, as can you. Now state your business, before I eat you.”

“I-I’m Abigail. Please don’t eat me.”

“I’m considering it.”

I sit in silence, my brown hair plastered to my face with sweat. “What’s your name?” I ask.

The wolf hesitates, seemingly surprised, before answering. “My name doesn’t matter to you, child.”

“Well…” I say, lowering my stick. “How about Wolfie?”

The wolf grimances at the name. “You humans and your names. Wolfie is not suitable, nor is Abigail for you.”

“I like my name,” I say defensively. “But… you can change it if you want.”

Wolfie growls before turning away.

“Why did you save me?” I ask.

“Why do you ask so many questions?” she growled. 

“Because I’m a child, and mommy says children are always curious.”

“They sure are,” mumbles Wolfie, sitting at the entrance of the cave.

I try to stand up, but stop when a sharp pain goes through my spine. I use the wall of the cave for support as I attempt to walk towards Wolfie.

“I need to go home soon,” I mention. 

“Careful walking, you bruised your spine. If I hadn’t seen you, the bears might’ve gotten you already.”

“Why did you save me?”

Wolfie sighs. “This again?”

“Yes.”

She looks away. “You remind me of someone.”

“I do?” I ask. “Who?”

“Just someone I knew long ago.”

“Where are they now?”

“Dead. Killed by humans.”

“Oh…” I mumble, not knowing how to respond

“Well,” I begin. “My daddy was killed by wolves.”

The wolf stops, her ears perked up and her tail still, before she lowers them again to their normal position.

“Alaska,” declares Wolfie. “That is what I’ll call you.”

“Ok,” I say enthusiastically. “But I still need to get back home. It’s getting late.”

I limp out of the cave, taking one last glance at the wolf, who seems lost in her own thoughts.

“I’ll be back tomorrow,” I comment before making my way through the woods back home.