Deep in the Forest (Wattpad Editor's Pick, June '22)

19

Zoe's knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel so hard. She needed to give the hair back to Ste ye hah, of that she was sure, but where to do it? She wasn't going to drag Takota into this since he seemed to be forgiven, and she didn't want harm to befall him again. No way she would go back to Culver Ridge, now or in the future. 

With her mind made up, she released the steering wheel and exited the car. She walked past the motion sensor, giving it a sideways glance. Zoe wove her way to the far side of the garden wall, close to the tree she'd found Ste ye hah's hair. 

The sun shined down on her, birds chirped their songs and several white butterflies fluttered in the garden. It was the perfect day for a ride on Rhyme. 

She pulled the envelope from her bag and shook the contents onto her hand. The rust color hairs were coarse and smelled of rot. 

"I'm sorry that I didn't believe in you; that I needed proof." 

She laid the envelope, sheet of paper with Price's findings and the hair on the garden wall. Placing a round stone on the offering, kept everything from blowing away in the gentle breeze. 

"I will become like Wolf and tell people where it is safe to travel. I'll do my best to keep them from your sacred space." 

She didn't know what to expect, but when nothing happened, she wondered if she did it wrong. But what else could she do to convince Ste ye hah of her peaceful intentions? She decided to leave the offering there and go inside. 

The aroma of bacon greeted her as she entered the house. Forgetting to take her shoes off, she dashed to the kitchen. 

Tessa hummed a long, winding song that Zoe didn't recognize. It had been far too long since she heard the cheerful habit grace the kitchen--before her dad was sick. 

"Mom?" 

"Oh, hello baby girl. I didn't hear—" 

Tears cascade down Zoe's cheeks as she ran to her mother and embraced her.  

"Shh, there there, baby girl. Dad's going to be alright now." Sandalwood and patchouli clung to her skin. Her soft hands were warm against Zoe's cheek as she wiped the tears away. 

"Really?" 

"Yes, he looks wonderful, and he can breathe without wheezing. The doctors said the surgery went well. He is awake and talking with anyone willing to listen to him go on and on about his brilliant daughter." 

Zoe smiled at the thought of her dad talking peoples ears off about her. 

"I'm going back in the morning." 

"Why did you come home if you aren't staying?" 

"Silly me, I didn't remember to pack any clothes for myself or take my cell phone with me." She touched her forehead. "I was a bit out of sorts with everything that happened on Friday." 

That explained why her mom hadn't called, she was terrible at remembering phone numbers since her phone did it for her. "It was a crazy night." 

"I also needed to make sure that you are alright." 

"I'm alright." She said it automatically, not wanting to cause her any distress. 

"Good. I'm making BLT sandwiches for dinner." Tessa appeared calm and serene. 

"I could eat." Her stomach growled for food, but she still felt nauseous. 

"Four hands are better than two." 

Zoe squeezed her mom once more before washing up. 

Tessa's humming filled the kitchen along with the spitting sound of bacon frying in the pan. Zoe added bread to the toaster and began slicing the tomatoes. 

"Oh, I forgot the milk in the car. Can you please go grab it for me?" 

"Sure." 

With the milk in hand, she headed back towards the front door. Green lights flashed behind the house, lighting up the sky. 

She froze in place, waiting to hear any sounds or see any movement. When nothing stirred, she tiptoed around to the backyard. 

Tops of the pines gently swayed in the breeze. On the far side of the garden wall a fawn and its mother moved between the trees. But she couldn't see the envelope, or the other items from where she stood. 

Moving closer, she recognized her mother's bowl from the ritual and Ichiro, her father's baseball bat that she thought was lost forever up at Culver Ridge. She ran her fingertips over the items and the nausea that hounded her all day vanished like a bad memory. She tucked the bowl under her arm and returned the bat to its home next to the rocking bench. 

"Thank you, Ste ye hah." 

Green lit the sky once more. 

Peace settled over the household and spread across the land as the ancient being traveled between worlds to sleep once again.

The End. 

Total word count: 21,673