Double Life (pt 1)

Submitted into Contest #92 in response to: Write about a character who thinks they have a sun allergy.... view prompt

122 comments

Fiction Fantasy Friendship

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.ย 

โ€œRemember, Abigail, you must be careful,โ€ she says, pointing her wooden spoon in my direction. โ€œItโ€™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.โ€

โ€œYes, mommy,โ€ I respond politely. โ€œMay I go now?โ€

โ€œEat your breakfast first, dear. And take your bag. I packed some snacks in case you get hungry since Iโ€™ll be at the harvest most of the day. Youโ€™ll be spending time with the other kids whose parents are at the harvest as well.โ€ 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.ย 

โ€œBe safe, dear,โ€ she mumbles, planting a kiss on my forehead.ย 

โ€œOk mommy!โ€ I say cheerfully, rushing out the door.

โ€œAnd donโ€™t go into the enchanted forest!โ€ she calls out after me, but I barely hear her over my excitement.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 theyโ€™re doing, facing the enchanted forest, hushed whispers filling the air.ย 

โ€œThe hunters are probably out againโ€

โ€œDo you think they killed another wolf?โ€

โ€œMy uncle is a hunter. He brought back wolf meat last nightโ€

โ€œIsnโ€™t that the girl whoโ€™s daddy was attacked by wolves?โ€

โ€œI heard he turned into a werewolfโ€

โ€œWerewolves arenโ€™t real, sillyโ€

โ€œThey could beโ€

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. Itโ€™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.ย 

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.ย 

*****

I wake with a groan, my mind still fuzzy. I open my eyes and take in the scene around me. It seems Iโ€™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.ย 

โ€œWho are you?โ€ growls the wolf, its blue eyes piercing into my soul.

โ€œY-you can talk,โ€ I whimper.

โ€œYes, as can you. Now state your business, before I eat you.โ€

โ€œI-Iโ€™m Abigail. Please donโ€™t eat me.โ€

โ€œIโ€™m considering it.โ€

I sit in silence, my brown hair plastered to my face with sweat. โ€œWhatโ€™s your name?โ€ I ask.

The wolf hesitates, seemingly surprised, before answering. โ€œMy name doesnโ€™t matter to you, child.โ€

โ€œWellโ€ฆโ€ I say, lowering my stick. โ€œHow about Wolfie?โ€

The wolf grimances at the name. โ€œYou humans and your names. Wolfie is not suitable, nor is Abigail for you.โ€

โ€œI like my name,โ€ I say defensively. โ€œButโ€ฆ you can change it if you want.โ€

Wolfie growls before turning away.

โ€œWhy did you save me?โ€ I ask.

โ€œWhy do you ask so many questions?โ€ she growled.ย 

โ€œBecause Iโ€™m a child, and mommy says children are always curious.โ€

โ€œThey sure are,โ€ 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.

โ€œI need to go home soon,โ€ I mention.ย 

โ€œCareful walking, you bruised your spine. If I hadnโ€™t seen you, the bears mightโ€™ve gotten you already.โ€

โ€œWhy did you save me?โ€

Wolfie sighs. โ€œThis again?โ€

โ€œYes.โ€

She looks away. โ€œYou remind me of someone.โ€

โ€œI do?โ€ I ask. โ€œWho?โ€

โ€œJust someone I knew long ago.โ€

โ€œWhere are they now?โ€

โ€œDead. Killed by humans.โ€

โ€œOhโ€ฆโ€ I mumble, not knowing how to respond

โ€œWell,โ€ I begin. โ€œMy daddy was killed by wolves.โ€

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

โ€œAlaska,โ€ declares Wolfie. โ€œThat is what Iโ€™ll call you.โ€

โ€œOk,โ€ I say enthusiastically. โ€œBut I still need to get back home. Itโ€™s getting late.โ€

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

โ€œIโ€™ll be back tomorrow,โ€ I comment before making my way through the woods back home.

May 07, 2021 18:33

You must sign up or log in to submit a comment.

122 comments

Philia S
13:30 May 14, 2021

Hey Abigail!! Wonderful story!!! Well, tbh, I thought the story was going to be all about harvesting and all, but I anyway liked the pLoT tWiST(Is that the right word? or no? dunno; and I call myself a writer, *cue grimacing emoji* lol) Loved it!!!

Reply

Philia S
13:43 May 14, 2021

:D Looking forward to it!!! (Ahem; read the first part of me bio; it's dedicated to writer's block)

Reply

Philia S
13:59 May 14, 2021

YAS!!! BASKETBALL AND CHESS FOREVAH!!!!! One of the reasons you will receive a reply from me almost immediately.... I am ALWAYS bored, no matter what. XD Btw, I meant the writer's block part :D I just think that writer's block(it might be a real thingy I dunno) should not be treated as something over which you might even GIVE writing up. I mean like I've seen some people throwing their stories in the bin solely because they think that inSPiratIOn is the key to writing a GREAT story, I mean of course we all need something we can write about...

Reply

YASSSSSSS XDDD sameeee!!! I have no problem coming up with ideas, the problem is that im going through that little slump where i try to write and it comes out horrible y'know? I've been trying to write each day and i get a couple decent sentences out, but thats pretty slwo for me because im a speedwriter and i usually write several stories a day. lol XD it's completely fine! I love to talk too lololol. And if you ever wanna do a rp im happy to :) (sorry that was random i just notices ur lil action bubbles and im bored lol)

Reply

Show 1 reply
Show 1 reply
Show 1 reply
Show 1 reply
Show 1 reply

(created a new thread cuz the other one was getting smol) yes we are the main characters Name: Lila (Lily, Lia, whatever nicknames idk lol) Age: 15 (my real age lol) Gender: Female Appearance: green eyes, black hair, tall and strong but not stocky Power: earth Personality: too lazy to seach up personality types XD basically rude and a bit mean to others but a bit softer towards friend(s), very protective and stuff you know the type Past history: is the daughter of the king and queen but hides it because everyone thinks shes dead and she d...

Reply

Philia S
18:52 May 14, 2021

ooooh! Fortunately I am still awake, and was able to create the doc :) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1M_6Da4ZRJtAqrD9ARdPLtbO09vntISGf7yEEFnh10qk/edit?usp=sharing

Reply

Show 1 reply
Show 1 reply
Show 2 replies
Sunny ๐ŸŒผ
21:41 May 07, 2021

I feel like the wolves who killed Abigail's father and the humans that killed Wolfie's friend are somehow related, though I have no idea how. Also happy 30th story!

Reply

Show 1 reply

Happy 30th! :DD great job on the dialogue and imagery :) I sense some connection going on with the names lol XD

Reply

Show 1 reply
Valerie June
20:37 May 07, 2021

I'm sure there's something between the three of you in this story, just a hunch. XD I love how blunt Abigail and Wolfie are. They get right to the point. Nice job Abbie; Cat Noir approves of this lol. ;) Also, happy 30th!

Reply

Valerie June
21:46 May 07, 2021

So many amazing stories! Next youโ€™ll be onto 50. My next milestone: 20 stories. Iโ€™m starting to understand the #KillLila. XD Sheโ€™s such a little liar! Grrrrr. You got me loving that show, not kidding. I donโ€™t know if thatโ€™s a good thing or not lol. XD

Reply

Valerie June
21:53 May 07, 2021

Is it weird that I know how to play the theme song to Miraculous on the piano? I think not. XD Let me call da kitty for you. Give us a second, heโ€™s gotta transform. We wouldnโ€™t want his sEcReT identity known to the world.

Reply

Show 1 reply
Show 1 reply
Show 1 reply
Show 1 reply
Valerie June
15:47 May 11, 2021

That show has cute animation and a great story plot. (Thanks for the new thread!) Do you like singing or dancing?

Reply

(lol no prob) ive seen little snippets of it lol i like singing even tho im horrible at singing XD (ppl say i sound good but idk lol) and i dance at church comeon remind, i can show u a pic of me dancing (idk if ive done a face reveal with u yet, ive done one and a voice reveal with others)

Reply

Valerie June
18:02 May 11, 2021

I think I'm a mediocre singer but no one's ever told me if I'm good or not. I think that means I'm not good at it. XD I like singing in the shower, though. It's more like humming, actually. Lol! A face ReVeAl?! I'm curious but you don't need to share anything with me that you don't feel comfortable with. :)

Reply

Show 1 reply
Show 1 reply
Show 1 reply
Show 1 reply
Show 2 replies
TJ Squared
18:40 May 07, 2021

hehehe very nice XDDD Alaska XDDDDDD yesh so good and vivid (i really like that word XD) and the enchanted forest was amazing XD

Reply

Show 1 reply
Sia S
06:04 May 08, 2021

So sweeeeeteteteteteteteeeee I loved it! Happy 30th! I've written 30 too! But I deleted them lol. Whens the next parts coming (of the adapters lol) Aaand wut are the top four paras in your bio? Lol

Reply

Show 1 reply

Bring your short stories to life

Fuse character, story, and conflict with tools in the Reedsy Book Editor. 100% free.