AWAITING IN THE DARK

Chapter 9

The silence between the two of us was enough to drive anyone mad. I like silence. Especially in a scenery like the park. It is connected to the forest by a trail and has lots of wildlife. I thought about walking the trail and having a better experience with nature. Would that be rude? To get up and walk away into the forest? I'm not sure.

I turn and catch a glimpse of Noah. He's still playing with his pocket knife. Flipping it in the air. I want to warn him to be careful. Tell him he could hurt himself. I don't think Noah would appreciate that though.

I decided it couldn't hurt to go for a walk on the trail. What's the worst that can happen? I stand up and take a sip of my coffee. I'm wearing my favorite sweater and sweatpants today, so I know the weather won't be a problem.

I began my journey on the trail. Watching as the squirrels run away from the sound of my footsteps. I'm concentrating on the ground, looking for animal tracks that would indicate if they were present recently.

I spot some deer tracks leading me toward the right.  Away from the trail. I decide to follow them as far as they will take me. I can always follow them to get back. As I walk, I realize I am walking deeper and deeper into the forest. I hear a crunch and turn around in a circle taking in my surroundings. There, by a tree, stands a lean man. He appears to be carving something into the trees with his fingernail. Vampire, I'm guessing.

"Hello?" I say trying to catch his attention. I realized I was lost as I didn't see deer prints anywhere in sight.

"It's not safe for you to be out here by yourself, young one. " The man says in what barely sounds like a whisper.

"I understand that. I'm trying to find my way back home. "

The tall man starts to walk towards me. He takes long strides towards me.

"Are you an idiot?" He hisses

"No. That was a very hurtful thing to ask someone." I whispered.

"You have to be an idiot to wander through the forest alone, little witch. "

"Stop inferring I'm an idiot. " I say annoyance clearly in my voice.

"In my mind you are. Go back home. " He says with distaste.

"I'm lost. "

"How is that my problem?" He hisses

"It's not. I was just wondering if you could help. There was no reason to be rude. " I say turning left and walking forward in that direction. I'm hoping I'm going in the right direction. Everything looks the same. How could I lose the path?

"Wrong way.  " The man says leaning against a tree.

"What way do I go?"

"You know I haven't fed in a long time. I'm a little parched. Do you think you'll enjoy it if I have a little taste? "

"No!" I cry. I feel myself start to become frightened by the presence of this stranger.

"She's scared. I quite like it. " The stranger says to the wind.

The man can get closer to me than I'd like. He glints his eye,  I take in his appearance. He has a scar running down from his chin to the bottom of his neck. His dirty blonde hair is unkempt. He's wearing a necklace with a tooth from an animal I can't identify.

Within seconds, the man's posture changes, and he straightens up.  He sniffs the air and hisses. His body stiffens. The glint in his eyes has disappeared and an emotion I can only describe as fear appears on his face.

"A royal. " He roars. His eyes dart between me and the forest trees.

"Royal?" I ask confused.

The man takes off running through the trees and out of sight.  I glance around, trying to find what might have frightened him, but I am unsuccessful.

I start to look around for the deer tracks. I know they have to be here. Walking aimlessly in all directions, I search for them. With my heart racing, blood pounding, and sweat dripping from my forehead I finally found the deer tracks I followed. I can find my way back to the trail.

I follow the tracks back to the park and see Noah still sitting on the bench playing with his pocket knife.

"How was your walk?" He asks.