Angel's Shadow

Chapter One

Chapter 1

The first light broke through the forest trees, and the birds’ song quietly spread all around. The soft sound of a small river tripping over rocks and deer running as a light breeze rustled the leaves of the tall trees played in the background. Other than that the forest was peacefully quite. I opened my eyes and turned my head away slightly from the light that peeked in through the cracks in the wall. I sigh as the shadow of trees dance across the floor.  I rolled over on my makeshift bed and jumped up as a small squeal came from under my banquet. I quickly pulled the blue fabric away to reveal a tiny white ball of fur. I smiled and knelt down next to the bed and stared until a face emerged from the tail.

“Good morning, Boo.” I smiled at the little fox. He stood up and adorably stumbled over to my face. I blew at his face and he closed his eyes and did some kind of half smile. Laughing I patted him on the head and stood. I walked over to the window looking far out past all the trees to the mountains. They were gradually turning white with snow, which meant winter was almost here. But I couldn’t let that bring me down, I still had to stock up on food for Boo and I. Something nudged my foot, bending down I picked up the small fox and cheerfully danced around the room. I looked over to the fireplace that hadn’t been use all summer, and then made my way over to the cabinet that all the food goes into. Setting Boo onto the wooden table, I changed into a simple gray dress that went to my knees and the sleeves went to my elbows. I picked up the basket sitting on top of a bunch of fabric and pulled my brown cloak on.

“Come on Boo.” I clicked my tongue and he bounced off the table and over to me with his head held high, even when he tripped. “I swear you think you’re a wolf sometimes.”  I giggled and scooped him up in to the basket as he did that cute little smile of his. I pulled my hood up and closed the door behind me, pausing to take in the silent beauty of the forest I lived in. I was just me, the only house for miles and miles if you can call it a house. It sits in a nook at the base of a tree and with one room it was perfect for me. Spinning off to the garden that lay next to the cabin I picked all that I could, placing the vegetables in the basket beside Boo. Walking off into the vast forest of tall trees Boo leaped out of the basket and strolled off, I smiled and kept walking knowing he’ll come back, he always does. I love walking around the forest it holds so many wonders. It’s rare, but sometimes a traveler or two will come along and ask for directions or ask me what I’m doing out here all alone. I’m better at talking to animals and trees. After 19 years of growing up here I know every inch of this land. All the animals are used to me wondering around, some even follow me. Boo is still a baby, but his mother was my favorite and she died soon after having Boo. I love Boo; he’s always around for me.

The small watery brook curved and twisted all through the maze of trees and the water splashed cheerfully as is fell and continued running. I sat next to the water and pulled a few barriers of a nearby bush. A group of deer trotted by up ahead. I fell back onto the soft grass and looked up at the scattered light trying to get through the leaves. Closing my eyes for a few seconds I was surprised when I shadow blocked my light. Opening them slowly I looked up to the face of a deer. I smiled and laughed at myself.

“Hello, Mister Deer.” I beamed; it didn’t take off running so I continued. “How are you today?” It grunted a little. “Oh, that’s good. What am I doing, you ask? That’s very kind of you, but I’m waiting.” The deer tilted its head ever so slightly. “What am I waiting for, well I thought I would ask you, because I have no idea.” The deer gracefully glides back into the shadows as an ungraceful familiarly fox raced towards it. Giddy with laughter I throw my arms above my head as the sound of my voice echoes around me.

After a couple more hours wondering and picking what I could find I walked back towards my cabin. Putting my findings on the table I walked out and over to the cove looking area a ways behind my house Boo darting in front of me. We sat on top of the big rock and watched the moon slowly come up. The forest was a little dangerous at night, but it was just so magical. Boo started to whine.

“Shhh…” I trailed off with a gasp. The soft sound of a harp playing in the distance was beautiful, but not as breathtaking at the sight of fairy folk. They were unbelievably graceful and flawless dancing around the trees. They were only around the size of my hand and lit up like stars. I smiled as they flew up into the sky. Flipping over I look up at one of the clear spots that wasn’t blocked by the trees. I reached out at pretended to touch the stars, taping each one till I had taped all I could see. A furry head hit my shoulder and glanced at him sprawled on his back in a funny way looking at the sky.

“You know Boo, there’s a legend that says all the stars in the sky are angels who have passed away. It’s kind of sad to think that there could be so many. I mean they are supposed to be extinct, so I guess that’s why there are so many. Wishing on stars is the same as wishing to an angel. It seems silly, but when I was little I used to wish I could be the sky. The sky is everywhere and it’s beautiful, it seems like the most perfect thing to be.” I sighed thinking of how amazing that would have been, shaking my head. I sat up watching the forest come alive swaying to the music and the tiny glows flying around lighting up the path. I picked Boo up and we made our way back over to the cabin.  Tying my long wavy brown hair up on my head I went and filled the tin tub with water and took a quick bath all the while Boo was making funny faces at me. Plopping on to the mat and pulling Boo right up next to me I fell asleep with visions of dancing fairy folk and the angels in the sky watching down on me.