Faded Petal

Chapter 4.1 - Charlie - The Deer

DAY FOUR

When I wake up in the morning, I am the first one to do so. I prop myself up on my elbow, almost slipping on the wet grass, but I manage to catch myself before I properly fall.

George lays beside me on his stomach, head turned towards me and leaning on the back of his hands. His eyelids flutter in his sleep, and every now and then he will murmur something unintelligible.

Edith lays next to him on her back, perfectly still, soft brown hair spread out on the wet grass.

On my other side, Beth and Akiki lay curled into each other like a pair of newborn twins. I often find myself feeling jealous of their close bond- they haven't known each other long and already they are inseparable. I wish I had that kind of friendship with someone.

I heave myself onto my feet, trying to cause as little commotion as possible. My friends all lay on the ground like a group of babies. So peaceful.

As I walk away from our small group of trees, my eyes are on my dewy grass. It's only when I look up properly after about ten seconds that I see them.

I must still be dreaming. I squeeze my eyes tight shut, before opening them again. And they're still there.

Deer. At least twenty deer. Frozen in the foggy morning air like stone statues. But they must be real. They have to be real.

I stand still. I don't dare move a muscle. And all they do is stand and stare back. The only moment occurring is the occasional flick of a furry ear, or swish of a fuzzy tail.

They are beautiful. One deer is stood particularly close to me, it's wet black nose twitching. I think it is sniffing the air. Checking to see if I'm a friendly human or not. I don't want to move towards it, in fear of startling it and causing a domino effect.

I simply just stand and enjoy the moment while it can last.

I am about to back away, let them breathe, when one of them breaks the eerie stillness. It's a calf. Stepping slowly forward from behind its mother's back legs, it slowly creeps towards me, nose wriggling in the air.

I hold my breath, knowing that I should be careful around the young. Not a single other deer moves. Their heads are all focused on the baby calf, as if waiting to see what happens next.

By now the baby has come right up to me, and it nudges my limp hand with its damp nose. Its fur is pale brown, dotted with beautiful white spots. Its ears stand straight up, the insides pink and fuzzy.

With a shaking hand, I lean down and touch it carefully to the calf's back. It leans into my hand, and I feel that its fur is soft and well groomed.

The mother of the calf has been watching, perfectly still the whole time, but now she too steps forward, right towards me.

My hand hovers above the baby, unsure of whether to start retreating back to my friends. But the mother comes to a stop right in front of my beating chest. She does not leap forward. She does not attack. She simply stands.

I look into her eyes, which are round, black orbs, lined with thick, long lashes. They remind me a little of Akiki's.

I press my hand to her forehead, and she too leans into my touch.

If only Edith could see me right now. She is usually the one who attracts all the animals and their babies. I cast my mind back to the baby beavers in the lake yesterday. She's like Snow White.

I look back towards the clump of trees, not moving my hand from the deer's face. My friends still lay on the ground in perfect silence, chests rising and falling soundlessly.