The Far Away Bear (mxm)

Chapter 7- Hard to Bare

Jaden POV:

I'd spent the afternoon collecting mushrooms under the dimly lit canopy of the tall fur's by the edge of the cabin, working on strengthening my legs and arms with a hopefully helpful task.

Arlow was gathering some kindling for the fire nearby, his boots crunching on the twigs and snapping them as he wandered further and further away each time.

Occasionally I'd glance behind me, watching him bob between the trees and bend to pick up another stick. Needless to say...I'd gotten an eye full once or twice and I'm mildly ashamed...but not that much.

It was no secret from myself that I found Arlow attractive. No, he was a big lumberjack type with a heart of gold who nursed me back to health and let me stay in his home without a single strand of judgement, can you really blame me?

In comparison, I never much felt like I could have someone like Arlow. He was so far out of my league on his side the sky was a different color.

"Not those.."

I jumped out of my thoughts at Peat's voice, the guy kneeling down beside me and taking the mushroom i held into his hand. Peat pointed at the under flesh of the cap "see the pinkish speckles? These will make you sick...you want these ones.." tossing the mushroom over his shoulder he reached for the brown caps "these are the good stuff! Later I'll to show you 'chicken of the forest' those are crazy cool!" He set the brown capped mushroom in the small basket beside me and stood back up, tripping on a small rock as he stumbled by.

I laughed and nodded, grateful for the advice "thanks Peat, I don't know what or where I'd be without you"

Peat snorted, grabbing up some branches from around me as Arlow had done " you'd have dysentery for one thing if you ate those" he teased and shot me a goofy grin before trotting off in Arlow's direction calling for him.

The sounds of the birds surrounded me after he'd gone by and I realized I was alone again, with both Arlow and Peat off gathering fire wood. It felt rare to be entirely alone out here now, but I knew it would only be for a moment or two. Strangely, I already felt accustomed to having them around all of the time, it felt weird not having Arlow and Peat within earshot. I'd somehow grown to depend on them and their company, it wasn't something I used to need in my life before now. But, I've found myself growing attached to them.

When had the birds stopped singing?

I raised my head at the odd feeling in my chest but kept my movements slow, something didn't feel right.

It felt off.

Suddenly the sensation of eyes burning into my back was so overwhelming my fight or flight instinct nearly kicked in. But I managed to control myself and stood up with my basket of mushrooms, carrying it carefully as I walked around the back of the cabin to the side.

I needed to get to the door, just get to the door.

My heart was thumping like crazy in my chest. The fear felt almost irrational, a pure instinct driven desire to get away as quickly as I could.

Keeping a steady paced walk I stilled my breathing and acted like nothing was troubling me, easing my way with every slow agonizing step closer to the cabin door on the porch.

My fingers wrapped around the door handle and I bolted inside, hurrying with full speed to shut it as fast as I possibly could.

The flicker of brown I saw behind the bushes at the treeline was not missed and I proceeded to yank Arlow's arm chair across the room to block the entrance, only stopping myself when I realized it would mean Arlow and Peat would be stuck outside if I did that.