What He Heard

Chapter 1

            Willow ran damp hands down her pants, taking a steadying breath before she looked at Rune. He smiled at her, but the paleness of his skin told her, even without being able to hear his heartbeat in this form, that he was far from okay. She managed a queasy smile in return before turning back to face the meeting hall, still visible in the blue light of dusk.

            The outside of the building looked like something out of the earliest settlers’ days. Old, weathered logs turned gray lay on top of each other, the walls almost smooth with the number of patches on them. The roof was made of the same wood and equally as patched. Family legend said that the meeting hall had been built first, hundreds of years ago, by some of the first Byrons. Willow shook her head. She was more concerned with the present Byrons, most of who were already inside.

            The movement of the door opening had Willow jerking. Her Uncle Allistair’s eyes swung to her for a moment, his usually smiling face was still and blank, before he nodded. “It’s time. Follow me.”

            Willow swallowed, but nodded as well. She glanced at Rune. He’d gone quieter and paler but he still moved up beside her. When they were side by side, her uncle led the way inside without looking at them.

            Walking through the double doors, Willow couldn’t help looking around the room. The walls and floors were smooth wood, polished by years of feet, both human and sasquatch, running over them. Right now, the hall was filled with chairs, all lined up in front of the back platform, each chair filled with the adults of her family. It made for a sea of brown hair, with only the occasional sprinkling of other shades of the spouses.

            They walked down the narrow lane left empty for them, every eye watching. Willow could feel her heart banging against her chest. She didn’t know how Rune was still walking. She felt nervous and worried and this was her family! Her gaze darted over to him, to see that his eyes were locked ahead, his head up and back stiff. Inwardly she winced, hoping he wouldn’t think less of her for having to put him through this.

            Finally, they reached the raised platform. Her uncle waved them towards the two chairs that sat there before turning to look at the assembled family members. He held his hands up for silence, and the gentle murmuring died away as Willow and Rune both sat down gingerly. “We are here today to discuss the revelation of our secret to this boy, Rune Campbell, by Willow Reese. All voices who wish to speak will be heard before myself and the other Elders,” Here, Allistair nodded at the six people sitting along the left, facing them. “Leave to make our decision. As closest to Willow Reese of the Elders, I stand as moderator. We will open with the story of what led to the revelation by Willow Reese, in her own words. Niece.”

            Willow stood on knees that felt wobbly. It was one thing to hear the stories of family rulings, another to be the focus of one. She swallowed, her mouth gone suddenly dry, before she nodded at her assembled family. “I only revealed myself because it was that or die. Me and Rune, we went hiking to the waterfall in the park. After swimming, we decided to climb up to the top, to dry off and because the view there is nice. While up there, I smelled pot. I thought it might have been some of the cousins, or even strangers. Either way, it could have gone poorly for us, so I decided to check it out. Rune came as well. Down the upper waterfall trail, we found a pot field. The grower showed up in seconds with a gun. We tried to reason with him, explain we weren’t a threat, but he made it clear his goal was to kill us. That’s when I took off my silver and attacked him. It was a choice between revelation and death. I stand by my decision. Doubly so because Rune could have run screaming into the woods, but didn’t. Most people would have. He even carried my jewellery all the way back to my house for me.”