Willow leaned down and extended her hand, shifting her feet to make sure she had good balance on the uneven rock under her. Rune grabbed on and she helped pull him up and over the rise’s lip. He scrambled up, as she backed up, until both of them were able to stand on the flatter area away from the edge.
He smiled, wiping his dirt-smeared hand off on his pants. “Thanks. You weren’t kidding about how wet it still is here.”
She chuckled. “It rained yesterday. It’s not as bad as I thought it would be, but there are still some pretty wet spots still. Luckily, up here the sun’s had a chance to evaporate it.”
Rune nodded, closing his eyes as a sudden wind blew across them. Willow did the same, feeling a few bits of dirt hit her face, but enjoying the way the breeze helped cool her down. She might be used to the hike up, but it didn’t stop her from sweating.
Opening her eyes as the wind died down, Willow grinned. There was just something about the way the trees spread out like a sea of green, complete with waves with the way the ground rose and feel throughout the forest, that relaxed her. And she didn’t think it was just because she was a sasquatch.
She glanced at Rune, catching him smiling out at the trees as well. Which was better than the last two times she’d checked and found him staring at her. Tracy had been right. Rune really was watching her. Willow shook her head, resolving to act even more normal around him. She wouldn’t be the one to let her family’ secret out.
Rune caught her eye and nodded at the view. “I don’t know how you’re not out here every day.”
Willow laughed. “You know how hard it is to get out here. I don’t have the time to make the trek daily. I do come almost every week, if I can. But there are other places here that I like too.”
“Like what?”
“Well, there’s a nice little hollow that’s full of flowers for most of spring and summer. Then there’s this little trail that’s surrounded by lilacs, so when they’re out, it smells amazing. Oh, and of course there’s the waterfall.”
Rune’s eye lit up. “There’s a waterfall out here? Where?”
She pointed toward the western half of the forest. “Some days you can see the mist off it. It’s not a really a big one, but it’s still pretty. It’s really the only reason hikers go to the west. There’s not much else out there. Most of the flatter areas and better views are in the eastern side. Also, the west is way rockier and just rougher terrain.”
“I didn’t know we had a waterfall in town. Could we go see it?”
Willow nodded. “Sure, but not today. It takes longer to get there than it does to get here. It’ll have to be a trip just for that.”
Rune grinned. “I keep forgetting how big this place is. I’m even more impressed that your aunt and the other Rangers were able to catch those poachers.”
“It was easier than you’d think since they know the terrain. And like I said, some of my cousins decided to help out. You’d better be careful though. Show too much interest around Aunt Celeste and she’ll be trying to recruit you.”
“She already did, after she thanked me for writing the article. She also said if I wanted to write another one, she’d be happy to talk to me any time,” Rune replied, sitting down on one of the free standing rocks that lay scattered about the top of the rise.
Willow copied him, taking a boulder opposite Rune. “Well, she did find your blog and read the article. She said she liked it. But you’re smart, and she hates idiots more than anything except poachers and wasteful hunters. And I’m not kidding about the recruiting thing. She does it to all of us, almost every chance she gets.”
“I’m glad she liked it,” he said before chuckling. “I think I’ll be alright.”
She shook her head, but said nothing, just enjoyed the renewed breeze swirling around them. Willow leaned back on her hands, letting the sun bake into her skin as it broke away from the fluffy clouds, all that were left after the day before’s rain. The air felt cleaner for the water, the forest heavy with the scent of greenery.
Willow knew that within a few weeks that would change. The trees would burst into colour, the air grow cooler and become filled with the sharp scent of autumn as things began to hibernate or die. She thought Rune would like coming up here when everything was fully turned, when the sea of emerald became of sea of fire.
Opening her eyes, Willow glanced at her friend. Rune was looking at her. Seeing she’d seen him, he smiled. “I was just thinking it’s a pity we have school tomorrow. I’d love to do more exploring.”
“We can come back another day. Maybe next weekend, if we’re not doing anything else.”
Rune nodded. “I’d like that.”
Willow chuckled again. “You’re probably the only person not related to me who likes coming this far out. Most people get an hour into the forest and they’re ready to give up.”
“It’s worth the effort it takes to get here. It’s almost better because of it. You appreciate things you have to work for more, I find. And beauty like this,” he said, waving his hand towards the green expanse. “Is definitely worth it.”
She nodded, reflecting on what he’d said. He was right about the views, but even more than that, Willow thought that his sentiment might apply to their friendship. At least for her. It was definitely going to be a lot of work for her, to keep him from finding out about her family while still remaining true to herself, but she thought it’d be worth it in the end. At the very least, she’d have some fond memories of high school that didn’t involve her relatives.
YOU ARE READING
Silver Bound Girl
FantasyWillow's a Byron and they aren't just your average family. Not just because there are so many of them, but because they have secrets and traditions far outside the norm. Like spending as much time outside as in, and doing everything to keep rumours...
