Bingo & the children of Aspen forest

Written in response to: "Write a story in which someone gets lost in the woods."

Fiction

17:03, Zach had beaten the rush hour traffic, that much he was grateful for. He climbed out of his uber and sighed knowing a different burden awaited him.

I just need some space. She can give me that at least.

He looped one bag round his neck and carried the other, so tired the walk from curb side to door sent his head spinning. He let the suitcase drop from his hand and rummaged around in his pockets for his key, knowing they had fallen to the bottom of his bag somewhere. He debated whether he had the energy to go diving through a weeks’ worth of unwashed clothes or accept defeat and just knock.

He knocked and waited. His eyes began to dip, finding it harder to keep balance now his weary frame could sense home was in sight. Two minutes later the door was flung open by his girlfriend. She looked him up and down before tightening her dressing gown around herself. Her impatient look didn’t trouble him as it would of months ago. When he first witnessed it, he had spent the next two days chasing her around asking what it was he’d done wrong and to just give him more time. He rolled his suitcase in as she stepped aside.

One person who was pleased to see him was Bingo, an Irish wolfhound with a long snout. He trotted toward him to receive the usual hugs and attention, always quiet and calm, no jumping up, barking or a frenzied urge to lick his face. Exactly why Zach loved him so much. He made sure to give Bingo a good scratch on his side whilst the dog pressed his skinny frame into him and stared up. He could feel Kirsty’s eyes on his back; frustration swelled in his gut.

“You’re gonna have to move that.” She said.

Without a word he let go of Bingo and snatched up the suitcase. He had risen too fast, a dizzy fatigue caused him to stumble. Behind his left eye he felt a migraine coming on. Bingo lowered his head as Zach rolled the suitcase into the understairs closet, he would deal with unpacking it tomorrow.

“I want to talk about our family.” Kirsty said.

He shut the closet door wishing he could just walk inside to another world. She still had her arms wrapped tightly around herself.

“You mean just me, you and Bingo?” He said, making the sarcasm in his voice obvious.

“What’s changed your mind? When we moved in kids are all you’d talk about.” Her tone softened when she spoke. The clear hurt in it was enough to bring on a fresh wave of shame. He wasn’t about to give into it now, not after what she’d put him through these past few weeks.

“Is this how you want our family to start? You nag me until I give in?”

Rubbing his temples Zach slumped down on the bottom step, thankful to be off his feet. He could feel Kirsty’s lingering presence, like a constantly inflating balloon of responsibility just begging to go bang. Why couldn’t she understand how tired he was? Bingo rested his head on Zach’s knee, looking up with warm amber eyes. He wanted nothing but love and biscuits. Zach stroked Bingo’s wiry hair, its tangled roughness always comforting.

“I just want you to be honest with me about what you want.”

“I want. To do this another time.”

Kirsty wiped hard at her eyes and headed into the kitchen. He heard the tap come on and the clattering of dishes. She used to always talk it through with him whenever her anxiety grew to great, he loved that he could help her relieve it. Now she cleaned, relentlessly.

With that thought, the bed he had wanted to return to since he left home lost all it’s appeal. More than he wanted to sleep he wanted to be away. Bingo had curled up in between his feet. Knowing at least one thing in his life just wanted to love him without any lofty expectations brought tears to his eyes. He hung his blazer up on the coat rack and put on his jacket. When he went for the lead, Bingo’s ears pricked up, his tail gave a hopeful wag. Zach confirmed a walk was happening, slipping off his shoes and sliding into his wellies. Bingo spun round, his bright eyes shined and his front paws gave way to an excitable tapping.

He snapped the lead to Bingo’s collar and was half pulled out the door. As he turned to shut it, he saw Kirsty emerge from the kitchen. Her eyes were puffy and red, confusion etched on her face. He slammed it shut without a second glance, turning his attention back to Bingo.

He had wanted some time to take Bingo out into Aspen Forest. The walk was close to a half hour, but he wasn’t going to drive. Something told him the moist September air would give him back some energy and the longer he was away the better. When he got to the top of the road Bingo veered off toward the nearby park.

“Not tonight buddy,” Zach said.

He continued toward Aspen, Bingo tentative about the break from routine stopped to give his hand a lick every few feet.

“Just us two hey buddy, off for an evening wander. Would have to be five minutes around the block if we had kids on top of everything. I don’t see how she could think we’re ready. Together we couldn’t organise a piss up in a brewery and now she thinks hey let’s introduce another life into the world?!”

The walk to the park passed by quickly. Zach spent most of it in his own head, the same what ifs bobbed around like a tacky carnival carousel. A part of his brain must have known the way because when he looked up, he found himself at the forests entrance. Bingo was panting, puffs of steam rose up from his lolling tongue.

“How did we get all the way here?” Zach said.

Bingo’s ears pricked up at the words, Zach rubbed his eyes shaking loose the last of the fatigue clung behind them. He bent down and unleashed Bingo who stood at Zach’s side despite his freedom. He had always been a timid pup, Zach had rescued him around the time his relationship with Kirsty had gotten serious. He didn’t mind humans, but other dogs caused him to retreat. Upon seeing another dog Bingo’s tail would tuck itself between his legs he would bow his head low, nestling himself between Zach’s legs until the dog was gone. Zach understood completely, inside he felt the same around people.

Bingo kept a steady pace, burying his snout into wet leaves and cocking his leg against the base of trees. Every few minutes looking up to make sure Zach was still in sight.

“Still here fellah!” He would say, waiving the lead at him.

He looked down at his mud caked wellington boots when it dawned on him how weird he must look. A guy in suit pants and a shirt wearing green wellies. He laughed thinking of he and Kirsty walking Bingo in the early morning, pyjamas hidden underneath coats.

Zach ducked his head as a stick flew past him end over end. It struck a giant oak Bingo had been inspecting, sending a shower of splinters through the air. Bingo leapt and darted toward Zach who calmed him with a pat. On the ground the stick lay twisted and broken. He could hear laughter., Zach scanned the woods spotting a young child. She let out a giggle when his eyes locked with hers.

“You almost hit my dog!” He shouted at her rage bubbling up in his throat. The child seemed to find his angry outburst even more amusing, she laughed, looking behind her.

“Did you hear me?”

She drew her arm back hurled a stone, Zach had just enough time to register it before it struck him, leaving a splatter of mud on his jacket.

“Pack it in!” He had to remind himself she was only a kid. What the hell was she doing throwing rocks at people? Bingo lowered his head, his ears drawn back. For the first time in his life Zach heard a deep growl come from within Bingo’s chest, fear gripped his stomach.

“It’s ok boy, calm down.”

He made a move to pat Bingo’s rump, the growling grew louder and more threatening. The girl seemed to think this was a game, she grabbed another rock and taunted Bingo, goading him with feint throws. Bingo barked, spittle flew from curled lips. Jerking his head to the side Bingo snapped, missing Zach’s outstretched hand by inches. Zach yanked his hand back utterly horrified.

“Please stop!” Zach thrust his hand out at her, “I’ve never seen him like this.”

The girl spun on her heel and disappeared into the foliage. Bingo flitted past him, tearing after her. Zach’s sleep induced mind fog was blasted away as every alarm bell in him rang out.

“Bingo! Bingo!”

The woods answered with nothing but silence, no trees rustled, no birds or rush of wind. Zach stood rooted to the spot sucking in great gulps of air and thinking of what to do.

In the far distance a distressed wail cut through the air, it was Bingo, and he sounded hurt. Zach bolted in the direction of the cry; a crazed anger permeated through his body. He didn’t care how old she was if she hurt Bingo, he didn’t know what he was capable of.

Running through the forest clawed deep tears in his jacket, his lungs were stabbing him from inside. He kept sprinting protecting his face from low hanging limbs and leaping tree roots desperate to trip him.

“Bingo!” He had meant to shout it but couldn’t get the air into his lungs. He staggered forward gripping a nearby tree for support. In the back of his throat, he tasted blood. It had been too long since he last committed to any exercise routine, and he was paying for it. He took out his phone, no bars. Around him was nothing but dense forest and a rapidly darkening sky. He slammed his fists against the oak tree, his throat constricted, the corners of his eyes burned but no tears came.

All he could do was concentrate on getting his breath back. He forced himself to breathe through his nose and out his mouth, he inhaled the scent of rich sweetness but something bitter lurking underneath. He would know it anywhere, melting sugar. On his walk to school he had passed a chocolate factory, the scent from it would be heavenly. After spending his bus fare at the local shop, he would have to walk to school, always arriving late but with chocolate.

He had read once that a warning sign of a stroke was phantom smells. What would Bingo do if he collapsed in these woods alone? He lifted his head up, the aroma intensified.

He called bingo’s name as he walked, hearing nothing back he simply walked alone all the while breathing in the scented air. Hanging from tree branches and bushes Zach spotted little gingerbread boots and chocolate balls, the ones sometimes used to decorate Christmas trees. He snapped a gingerbread boot in half; it was cold but smelled fresh. As he walked, he spotted, candy canes and even a dozen sugar mice in a line.

From a far bush he heard a rustle and a soft weeping. The young girl who had taunted Bingo stumbled out. Rubbing her eyes on her dress. Zach stopped dead, his teeth gnashed together.

“Where is my dog?!” He shouted.

The girl let out a scream, staring at Zach bug eyed.

“You scared me!” She said.

“Where is he?”

“The others didn’t want me to play with him. They called me mean.”

Zach could feel rage coiling up in his throat, he felt the urge to grab and shake her. Instead, he unclenched his jaw and approached slowly.

“It’s ok, what are you doing out here alone?”

“I wanted to play with the doggie.” She said, her high voice cracking with a hurt confusion. “I hate them. I want to be alone.”

Zach squatted down despite his aching calves, the girls dress looked old though not with wear. More a tunic now he was looking at it. Undyed, buttonless and hand stitched.

“Do you live nearby?” Zach tried.

The girl nodded, wiping her eye. She pointed down the sweet laden trail into the mist. Zach swallowed hard.

“I’m looking for my dog see, he gets quite nervous, and I’m worried he might get scared alone out here.”

“I know where he is.” She said in a small whisper.

“Can you show me?”

He reached out his hand, the girl stared at it for a moment and made to take it before withdrawing, beckoning him to follow her. They walked side by side as a biting wind swept through the trail. Zach bristled, digging his hands into his jacket before thinking of the young girl in her threadbare tunic. Bracing himself, he slipped it off.

“Here, should be warm.”

He tried to slip it over her shoulders but must have missed as the jacket ended up on the floor. She looked up at him eyes wide. He picked it up dusting it off.

“Are you not cold?” He asked.

She shook her head, her bear arms showed no goosebumps. He thought about just wrapping the jacket around her anyway, if he was feeling the chill with the extra Christmas weight on him the bone thin girl must be frozen inside.

“Must have Viking blood.” Zach laughed.

She put her head down and kept walking. Zach’s mind began to race as he took in her appearance. He wondered if she might be the child of some bizarre Pagan cultists. Maybe the sweet treats were how they marked their territory. What would Kirsty think? He storms off after an argument and tomorrow’s headline reads H.R rep burned alive in a wicker man?

The dense mist swallowed them up, underfoot he crunched through wet leaves and the remains of broken biscuits. On the wind he swears he hears the faint sound of giggling. The young girls face is solemn; she looks back every few moments to assure herself Zach’s still following. Then came a bark, ripping through the air like a whip crack.

“BINGO!” He cried.

Quickening the pace, he squinted through the mist hoping for some sign.

“Wait!” The girl ran after him, “They hate me!”

Zach hears more barking and laughter, he burst through the brush to see a half dozen children, in the middle of them was Bingo. His tail wagging, he ran and barked as the children squealed with delight running their hands through his fur. When he caught wind of Zach, he stopped dead in his tracks. Bounding up to him he leapt, planting his two front paws on his chest and licking in delight.

“Hey fellah! God, you look happy!”

Bingo hopped down off him and resumed chasing the overjoyed kids.

“Never seen him like this before.” He said to the young girl. When he looked over, she’d disappeared.

“Hello?”

Peering back through the brush he spotted her, sat down, curled in a ball her head tucked into her knees. When she looked up, she shuffled around to face away. He knelt beside her.

“Bingo’s wondering why you don’t want to play?” He asked.

She looked up at Bingo’s name and Zach cocked his head toward the clearing. She tentatively got to her feet, smoothing out her tunic. He led her back through to the clearing, tongue lolling out Bingo sprang toward them, breathing steaming air in their faces. The girl giggled as Bingo dropped his two front paws and wagged his tail. She took off running. He chased her, his barks echoing through the forest, spurring on the little game only they knew the rules of. Zach watched with a smile. Bingo’s timidness had evaporated and for the first time in months he was content.

The wind swirled and howled through the trees, the heavy mist that had coated the clearing began to dissipate. The children faded along with it until all Zach was left with was running footsteps and giggling on the wind. Bingo had rolled onto his back, his eyes held a joyful spark.

“It’s a long walk home fellah, I hope your up to it.”

Bingo trotted over and sat leaning against Zach’s leg. That little spot of warmth against the nipping night air felt fantastic.

“Maybe I could call Kirsty to pick us up buddy. We have a lot to talk about.

Posted Sep 19, 2025
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1 like 1 comment

Mary Bendickson
01:27 Sep 22, 2025

Candy land.

Thanks for liking 'Woods, Weeds and Words'.

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