Winter's Bite

Chapter 7

Tromping up the lane, I paid my surroundings no attention, lost in humiliation over Owen and anxiety about my aunt. But a noise from the woods distracted me. I looked over at the trees on my left. What was that?

Louder than usual birds and small animal rustles, it sounded like something big moving around. I peered through the trees, but couldn't see anything past a tangle of thick undergrowth growing near the wood's edge.

It's nothing, I thought. Maybe a deer. I walked on. The noise continued. Then grew louder. It drew nearer.

I stopped and stared, searching dark shadows between trees. The noise fell silent. I still couldn't see anything. It's gone, wandered off or scared away by my presence, I thought, releived. I began walking again.

The noise resumed, keeping pace with me just beyond sight. I was scared now. It felt I was being stalked. Don't be silly, I tried to convince myself. It's just some harmless animal. But harmless animals didn't act that way did they?

I remembered the wild boars Aunt Louise had told me about. Did they stalk people? What would I do if one burst from the woods and attacked me? I didn't even have a stick for protection. Not that I thought it would do much good. Still, when I saw a long thick stick on the ground I swooped and picked it up.

A mocking laugh came from the woods. I froze. No animal made that sound.

Every instinct poised to run but I didn't dare, sure whatever stalked me would chase and attack. I picked up my pace. Hurrying, I shot small, frightened glances at the woods. Afraid of seeing what hid there, I also didn't want it taking me unawares. My aunt's farm-house lay five minutes away. Maybe I would make it.

Something rushed towards me. Branches cracked and crashed. I abandoned all pretence of nonchalence. I ran. One panicked glance towards the woods revealed something dark and pale faced before I faced forwards again.

My heart pounded. I heard steps thud behind me. It was gaining. The farmhouse stood around the corner, minutes away, but I'd never reach it.

I turned the corner and smashed into some-one. They grabbed my arms. I shrieked and fought as I was pulled tight againt a cotton-covered chest. I couldn't breathe. I pulled my head back, gasping for air.

'Cait! It's me.'

Recognition came.

'Owen?' I glanced behind me. 'Something's after me.'

'It's alright. it's gone now.'

Owen still held me. As if realising it at the same moment, he let go.

'What was it? Did you see?'

'No.'

I stared at him.

'How did you not see it?'

'I saw something,' he amended. 'I'm not sure what. I was worried about you. I didn't notice much else.'

'But it was right behind me.'

'It couldn't have been as near as you thought.'

I considered. I had been scared out of my wits. Perhaps I'd imagined it right on my heels.

'How come you're here?' I asked.

'I planned on walking home by the road but then changed my mind. I took a short cut across a field and came out ahead. Then I saw you running.'

I glanced right. I couldn't see any gate from the nearby field but I knew there was one further uo . Maybe Owen had been coming to apologise for his abrupt departure. I blushed. I wouldn't embarress him by making a big deal of it.

'I'm glad you were here.'

I glanced at the shadowy woods, still apprehensive.

'What could it have been? Aunt Louise said wild boars live there.'

'Aye, and they're dangerous. They'll attack people. But they don't often come near the wood's edge.'

'It couldn't have been a boar,' I said, remembering. 'I heard some-one laugh. It must have been a person.'

'Boars can make strange noises. And you were frightened, confused.'

'Yeah, but I know what Iheard,' I retorted.

'If you say some-one chased you from the woods my family will be blamed. The villagers always blame anything bad on us.'

It was true. I didn't like lying, but hadn't I already lied by omission when I'd not told I'd seen Owen on Sunday?

'What if some-one else gets attacked?' I asked.

'My uncles will search the woods with dogs,' Owen said. 'If there's something dangerous near the wood's edge we'll find it.'

'Alright,' I said.

I didn't want him and his family suffering because of the villagers' silly superstitions. I didn't feel good about lying though.