Forest Deep

Chapter 1

Smoke rose from the deep within the forest. It was common for the smoke to rise during winter.

"Ethan, stop staring at the smoke like that. It's not unusual." Edgar, my older brother, said. "Get back to chopping that wood." He said. I rolled my eyes and obeyed.

"I think we have enough wood for the week." I told him. He looked at the pile of wood that we had chopped.

"Yea, c'mon. It's freezing out here." Edgar left the axe in the trunk of a tree and walked inside.

The smoke grew bigger and bigger. I had a feeling in my gut, that told me i had to explore, but i couldn't. Everyone knew never to go near the forest, especially after the disapperance disappearance of Evelyn Walker. My mother was the last to see Evelyn, before she disappeared into the forest.

Evelyn Walker was six at the time, while i was seven, only a year older. My brother and I were making deliverys when Evelyn came by the cottage. After she left, no one saw her ever again. It wasn't until someone notice a broke cup and sugar mixed with blood, that we figured out what had happened.

"You coming or what Ethan?" I looked up to see Edgar, holding the door open. I rushed inside and stripped of my winter sweater and gloves.

"Boys, set the table. Dinner is almost ready." My mother said. She was almost sixty. But she still looked young. Brown hair with a bit strays of gray hair. She lost many of her teeth, but so did every old person in the town.

"Mother, would it be alright if May came for dinner?" I asked. She grinned and nodded. I put of my winter sweater and started walking toward May's cottage.

May is my girlfriend of half a year. We were young and in love. She is the butcher's daughter, and the prettiest girl in town. Long blond hair that reached her waist, and green eyes.

I reached her cottage and knocked on the wooden door. May came to the door, with a frown on her face.

"What is wrong, my love?" I asked concerned. She looked up, her eyes were watering.

"We can't be together anymore." Her words struck my heart like an arrow.

"Why not? Did I do something to upset you?" She shook her head. I grabbed her hand, when i felt something cold and hard. A ring. I looked up, expecting an answer for the ring. The engagement ring.

"His name is Liam. He's a knight and he saved my life last week, when I dangling from a tree. We fell in love at first sight." Every word she said, stung my heart. "I'm sorry Ethan. I never meant to hurt you." She apologized but it didn't help in any way. I turned around and started walking home.

Love at first sight? Weren't those the exact words she said to me? She couldn't say that about someone else if she was in love with me.

I sighed and held my head down. May, she was suppose to be my wife one day. The mother of my children. I could see it all, but now i can't. All i could see now was the forest. That's when i saw something red flash by.

I looked into the forest, with only the setting sun as light. Nothing but trees. I was seeing things, my mind isn't in the right place.

I heard a near by bush rustle. I looked around and again nothing but trees. Paranoia set in and i started walking faster. Eventually, i tripped over my own two feet.

"Are you okay?" Asked a soft voice. I looked and became speechless. Perfect blond hair that fell near the girl's elbows. Blue eyes. . .no, her eyes were a cerulean blue. She wore a white dress that poofed at the waist, where a red ribbon was tied. Around her was a red cloak, tied by strings around her neck. She was breath-taking.

I looked into her eyes and i felt my heart flip. I was something flash within her eyes. And in her reflection, my eyes flashed as well.

"Uh um yea. I'm fine." I said, after taking her in. She tilted her head sideways and lightly giggled.

"Need help?" She offered her hand and i gladly took it. Her hand was so warm, i felt tingles shoot through my arm. I got up from the ground and dusted off the dirt.

"Thank you. I'm Ethan by the way." I said. She smiled.

"Hello Ethan." Her angelic voice rang through my ears like music. "Oh my! You are bleeding." She said in surprise. I looked at my arm, where i had a small gash.

"Oh, i'll be fine. It's just a small cut." I smiled. She took deep breaths before calming down.

"I have to go." She said. I felt myself frown.

"So soon? Well atleast tell me your name." I said. She smiled but shook her head. Faintly, i heard Edgar's voice. I turned to see my idiot brother running towards me. I turned to the girl, but she had disappeared.

"Ethan, mom is worried sick. C'mon now, it's getting dark." Edgar said in short breaths. I sighed and followed him back to the cottage.

Mother asked me, why it took so long to get home, and why May wasn't with me. I told her about the break-up and how i was just clearing my head. I didn't mention the girl.

I went to the bathroom and disinfected my gash. After stitching it all up, i went into my room and flopped into bed.

"G'night Ethan. Love you." My mother whispered into my room. I heard the door shut, leaving me with only the light of the full moon. I heard a howl, probably of the coyotes or wolfs that lived in the forest.

My mind wandered back to the girl. She didn't tell me her name. And i can't keep calling her 'the girl' or 'that girl'. I needed a name for the mysterious girl. I thought about the season; Winter? No, my last name is Winter. I thought of her red cloak; Red? No, red is the same color of blood and she'll freak out. Then i remembered today was Christmas Eve. Eve? I liked it. Eve Winters. It had a nice ring to it.

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Ethan, already making her have your last name? Woah, especially after getting dumb by May.

Btw, you're probably wondering, it's not Christmas...it's not even winter! But i'm starting in winter.

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Bye my little song birds. That's what i'm calling you guys.

Xo