Jays in Winter

The Woods

I stared off at the woods, clutching Grandma's long, flowy dress as Grandpa poured blue salt around the border of the farm, right next to the woods. "Never. Go in there Marissa, there are things that lurk within that would gobble you right up.." Grandma said, softly running her fingers through my long, silky black hair. I whispered softly, "Why are they there, Grandma?" I asked softly as she gripped my hair slightly "We don't know..But promise me to stay away no matter what. Understand?" I nodded softly as I spoke "Yes Grandma..I won't go there.." She smiled at me, before picking me up and taking me back inside

November 26th, 2002 6:30 AM
I yawned loudly as my alarm clock rung out, blasting in my ears. I sat up and smacked it with my hand, grumbling and moving small strands of hair out of my eyes. I stood up and grabbed my glasses off the end table, rubbing my eyes before putting them on. I walk to my closet and grab a long sleeved cream colored turtle neck, throwing a brown cardigan over it. I put some low rise jeans on and some small white socks, before heading to the kitchen

As I entered the kitchen I rubbed the back of my neck, yawning. My Saint Bernard, Apollo ran to me and licked my hand. I laughed softly and pet his head "Good morning to you too, Apollo" I said with a bright smile. He barked towards me, tail wagging fast. I approached the fridge and opened it up..not much in it, other then a couple eggs in a carton, small thing of milk and some half empty orange juice..I sighed and grabbed the orange juice and eggs, placing the carton on the table and the eggs on the counter. I grabbed a pan from under the counter and placed it on top of the stove. I turned it on and began cracking eggs, putting them in a small measuring cup. I mixed them all together with some milk and poured the mixture into the pan, the sizzling sound like a snake hissing at me. I sighed softly and grabbed a spatula, cutting the eggs and flipping them every so often. I threw a couple pieces into Apollo's bowl when they were done cooking, and slid the rest onto my plate. I sat at the empty dinner table and ate quietly, Apollo already at my side whining for more. I giggled at him and threw him the leftovers I knew I wouldn't eat. I drank my juice, before standing and going to the door to get ready, to go salt..

November 26th, 2002 7:10 AM
I grabbed a bucket and opened the door, Apollo jumping out into the thick, 2 foot snow. It always snowed heavy on the farm..My boots crunched in the snow, leaving deep footprints behind. I walked towards the well just near the border. But it wasn't full of water, no no, it was full of a deep, dark blue sand that Grandpa would pour just where the woods and the farm met. I walked over to see how full it was. I never filled it. Neither did Grandma or Grandpa. It refilled itself every week. It was completely full today. I took the bucket sitting just beside it, emptied the snow out of it and shoved it in. Scooping up as much blue salt as I could, once I had I trudged through the snow and went to the edge, beginning to pour it out in a large line. Grandpa always said the salt would keep us safe, and I wouldn't have to worry about the woods. Just as I was pouring the last bit of salt on the border, I saw it...a deer..or what I assumed was a deer, I'd lived on the farm my whole life and I'd only ever seen them in books Grandma got for me..it was beautiful..so very beautiful. It stared at me and I stared back, its eyes glistening in the little bit of light within the woods. I went to step forward, and but I tripped..my face and hands crossing over the border. I stood and brushed myself off, but when I looked up..it was gone. No tracks, no deer, no sound..I suddenly felt...sick..like I had eaten something rotten, my vision became blurry and I was disoriented..and then.. I blacked out.