Single beams of moonlight pierced through the silhouettes of the now rough forest. Years of my youth spent sheltered at night under the trees of The Kanopy Woods had earned me almost a sixth sense for the backwoods. Although I seldom ventured this far in, Calem and I had developed a feel for the trees. The occasional trip might unsettle the trek but we wouldn't be suffering from concussion after running head first into a wooded figure any time soon.
"Halt!"
Irony struck me as I almost tumbled straight into Calem's outstretched arm.
"Tracks"
The promptness of his word echoed his caution. Stooping down to the forest floor, Calem examined the animal print with a touch of apprehension that was almost uncharacteristic of him. Looking up from the ground, he stared ahead in the direction of subsequent tracks.
"This way," he broke the silence with a faint tone. "Stay close"
Calem continued on as I hung back, gazing with an empty stare at the print. A small mite was burrowing through my stomach, something about it was bugging me.
"That's no deer track" I whispered.
Aware that Calem would not appreciate any more delays, I hurried on, with a lull in my step. It was only when I caught up to him, did I notice the change in Calem. It had been almost four years since our parents had let him find his own place in the world. Four years since that once, kind and gentle face had transitioned into that of a hardened survivor. This was immediately evident at that moment of time. As an aesthete, his fingers had a serene grace and feel to them; but that serenity had long since left him, replaced now with calloused blisters and coarse edges. As he prowled along silently through the woods, I began to take notice of his darting eyes. A dark purple hue masked the descent as if he had served many sleepless nights as of late. My analysis of Calem was punctuated however, as his gruff voice berated me.
"Did I take you in to stare at my ass? Take the front!"
Doing exactly that, I moved forward and unslung my bow from my arched back. With the quiver resting neatly against me, we continued forward.
The tracks remained rooted to the ground in regular intervals as we progressed further. It was only a slight falter in Calem's step that alerted me to his realisation; this was no deer that we were following.
"Perhaps we should turn back Seb, It's getting late." Calem called out to me.
Recognising my chance to play dumb, I seized the opportunity.
"I dunno man. We must be getting pretty close to finding this deer. Besides, we've been walking in the dark for the last three hours!"
Calem faltered. I could hear him shifting in place. As a man of great pride, he wouldn't allow himself to be bested by minors. I turned around to be met with a face blackened by intense evaluation.
"We'll move forward" He mumbled.
"Great! "
I raced on ahead knowing full well that my recklessness could land the both of us in trouble. Accordingly, my wealth of experience from years in the forest kicked in. With my wits wrapped tightly around me, my eyes darted here and there scanning the stygian silhouettes of the sombre trees.
Unbeknownst to me, a murky figure lay close by. It's matted fur brushing against bark, just out of sight. A single low growl escaped through the aerated fangs that decorated it's mouthpiece. It's sight settled on two young humans, neither of them had reached their second decade surely. Noting this, it skulked on further, into the embrace of the forest life.
