The Anomalies

Chapter 5

Autumn was about to give way to winter.

The typical colors of that season had already been fading for some time, and in the forest brown and dark green now predominated almost uniformly over everything.

The sounds of the characteristic liveliness and activity of animals and insects had slowly diminished becoming only a faint background, giving way more and more to a quiet silence that was increasing.

On certain days, when the sun was obscured by clouds and canopies of vegetation, the sound of the breaking of a branch, the sound of footsteps on the already fallen foliage, the sound of birds in the foliage of trees, or the crawling of insects and some small animals in the undergrowth, echoed in that quiet and, perhaps for some, sinister calm.

The inexorable and repetitive proceeding of the change of life that Zoe usually enjoyed and lived harmoniously, fascinated by the beauty and inevitability of the process, now, was an obstacle for her.

The nature that had always been her friend, at that very moment, might have unknowingly betrayed her.

As she proceeded cautiously, following some paths known only to a few, followed faithfully by the Rat, she could not stop herself from stiffening alarmed at every sudden noise, near or far.

Now she distinctly felt that she was being hunted.

She was aware of the Hunters' ability to change form into an animal of their choice, and this caused her even more anxiety and made her doubt every moving being around her.

She had to be careful to avoid being intercepted; assuming this had not already happened.

She had enjoined absolute silence on the boy because even the sound of mere breathing was magnified to such an extent that it was easily audible.

Every step was taken with extreme care, trying to avoid dead branches that, stepped on, would alert whoever was on her trail.

She knew he was chasing her. Again!

But why won't he leave me alone?

This time, however, he was closer than usual.

The 'witch's knot' symbol imprinted near her sternum had been pulsing for a few minutes; a sign that the danger had gotten close, too close.

She had always wondered what her family had done to be executed like that, without finding a reasonable reason. They had done no harm to anyone, tended to keep to themselves, and rarely used magic. So why so much fury?

Damn it.

I can no longer shield myself with magic because at this distance I would be intercepted immediately.

Damn Hunters and their power-capturing medallion!

And damn me and when as a naive little girl I stamped 'the witch's knot' on his chest.

Who would have thought it would now make it easier for them to hunt me!!!?

It was supposed to be about protecting us, finding each other and helping each other, not about making it so he could hunt me down, she thought testily.

Zoe turned around for the umpteenth time to check if the Rat was still behind her.

The boy noticing her concern, smiled reassuringly at her.

He was proving to be better than expected.

The Rat had kept his gait without ever taking a false step, stumbling or making a noise.