Be with me

The lakes

The day held out wonderfully. There was a slight breeze but nothing that would blow me off my feet. I packed a small bag of apples, hard boiled eggs, water, a thin blanket and my book. Im going to spend my day until about 3pm eating apples and reading The Great Gatsby.

We lived not from a two good sized lakes. They were a 25 minute walk away but I walked quick I could make it in 15. On the way there really is no people. Maybe a few farmers dealing with there pigs, sheep, cows but no people. These lakes before the war were a huge attraction for the people in this area. My father said people would walk and swim and have picnics here. But after the war they were deserted. When I arrive at the long path that stretches up to the first lake i quicken my walk to get there faster it's beautiful here. Around me there are bright green trees and all around me are flowers in such lively colours. No one expect me for miles. I head towards the second lake and get myself comfortable at the bottom of a huge tree. It was my go to, right next to the water but covered enough from the other trees that I was shaded. Today was going to be a calm day. I open my book pull out an apple and start to read.

I open my eyes and check the small watch my father gave me for my 18th birthday. It's 2:45 and I should be leaving soon.I start to gather my things shaking off the dirt from my blanket when I hear a noise. It sounds like rustling but not from a bird, more like a person. But there's never anyone here. Possibly the first lake but the second I don't think so. I pack my bag in a hurry and zip it getting up and heading back towards the long path. The rustling gets somewhat nearer and on my left so I jump the little patch of water to an empty field. I continue walking. At least now if something or someone was here I would see them. I'm almost at the first lake when I hear a faint cry. "Help." I debate wether or not to go back. But I do knowing I couldn't let someone hurt stay here alone. I back track being careful and following the loud cries.

"Hello?" I shout trying to get an indication on where to go. "I'm over here!" I get a reply, that's something. I'm now on the north piece of land between lake 1 and 2 when I see him. A young man maybe Tori's age lying on the ground wrapped in a tree branch.

I hold my bag tighter and run over to him. "Hello what happened? How did you get in this mess." I ask kneeling down beside him. When I move the tree branch I see blood.

"Oh you know just hanging around." He says trying to make a joke out of it. "Seriously though I was just doing some exercise using the trees and I fell."

"Okay I need to untangle this branch from you. Your bleeding. Hold still." I lay my bag at the side of me and start to move the branch slowly. He must have used the roughest tree. After about five minutes the branch is completely off him and he's just got cuts and scratches. "Your in a bit of a mess. I think you'll need stitches. I have to rip the leg of your trousers off. I need to wrap it." I explain opening my bag trying to find the knife I use to cut my apples.

"Yeah yeah that's fine... At least it's a nice day for it." He smiles lying back looking up into the trees.

I cut his trouser leg off and use it to wrap around his thigh to try and stop the blood. I wonder where he's from. I've never seen him before, and I know most people from where I live. He's tall, at least 6ft. Dark hair, olive skin and built. "You'll be okay but you should see a doctor. Where are you headed?" I ask standing up.

"Back into town. Maybe the city I don't know. Why?" He asks looking up to me. I offer him my hand and he accepts not pulling on it.

"I'm headed that way too. Come on." I smile but he doesn't budge. I tug on his hand and he laughs.
"If I pulled myself up with your hand I'd pull you down. I'll get up but I'll have to walk slow."

Most of our walk is made in silence. He limps but tries not to let me show it. He's taller than I had thought standing next to me. I reached just 5ft1 and he was at least 1ft tolled than me. We reach the river that leads me down to my small house and I turn to him. "Okay this is me. Please see a doctor." I smile beginning to turn left. I'm about arms reach away when he tugs on my arm.

"What's your name? I mean you did save me." He laughs but I can tell he's grateful. "I'm Augustus, you can call me Gus."

"I'm Emmeline, nice to meet you Guys." I smile turning to face him.

"Emmeline I like it." He smiles walking the opposite way from me. In a couple of minutes he's out of site and I let myself breathe again. It's was different being in a mans presence. I mean I have my father but it's not the same. We were alone and in the woods, that hasn't happened well ever.

When I get home it's 3:45 and everyone will be arriving home and I haven't even started making dinner yet. I pin my hair up in a bun and grab some meet from the fridge and begin to fry it off. There was five small steaks so they wouldn't take long to cook. Our family didn't have much money after the war. The other 4 members of my family worked 5 sometimes 6 days a week and I too would need to find a job soon. I boil some potatoes, cabbage, carrots and butter some bread. This will do for dinner.

Just as the first two steaks are finished cooking my mother and Nellie come through the door. "Milly how are you? How was your day?" Asks my mother sitting at the table having a glass of water. Nellie comes and hugs me, tight.

"Good thanks mother. How was work?" I ask knowing the answer. She looked as exhausted as she was. My mother worked in a clinic done paper work, sewed for people who went to the clinic, helped put patients, a nurses hand she was always exhausted.

"Um Milly what's this?" Nellie and her questions. I feel her pulling something out of my hair long brown hair even though it's still intact in it's bun. I turn and try to dodge her gaze. My family wouldn't be happy about helping strangers.

"Milly? What have you been up to?" Smiles Nellie knowing there's a story along with it.

Just as I begin to talk the front door opens again and in comes my father and Tori.