Five

Chapter One

A humid blanket covered me in a light sheen of sweat. My warm sun started to fade beneath the horizon and left me in its chilly aftermath.

My lips parted in hopes for drier air. But a sticky concrete filled my lungs.

I was shivering despite the oppressive humidity. Thick, somewhat cold breezes swirled at my skin and left me with goosebumps. I walked through the summery haze with no real destination.

A cushioned strap around my neck was soaked with sweat, but it was easy to forget about that tiny burden. I crouched in an almost predatory position, aiming for just the right shot. My eyes intent on the young doe in front of me. She was oblivious to my presence, and grazing just at the edge of the tree line. The sun shone on her in a way that revealed only her silhouette. I took a careful aim and-

Click 

Her head shot up, alarmed, and I took another shot. 

Click

Her large eyes found mine.

Click

She started her descent into the forest towards my left.

Click Click

She was just a white tail among the brush.

My eyes followed her until she was nothing but small sounds in the big woods. With a tiny smile I stood and brushed the dirt from my knees.

"I'll be back for you tomorrow." I promised before turning back to the trail.

I stumbled my way back home as the sun sank lower and lower, until there was nothing but darkness. I reached the edge of the woods with a triumphant grin spreading across my face. It was the first night I had made it home without falling. 

The breeze picked up and sent goosebumps trailing town my skin.

"Freya! Turn the porch light on please!" I shouted into the darkness.

A yellow light flickered on, washing the whole of the backyard in an eerie glow. I shielded my eyes, cursing myself for always forgetting how bright the light was. The silhouette of nine-year old Freya paced right outside the doorway.

"Hey." I panted, out of breath from my evening activities. Now stepping up onto the back deck, I could see the stress plastered all over the nine-year old's face. Her hair looked choppier than normal, like a flame that's unsure what to burn next, and her freckles were almost non-existent against the shadows.

"Hey." She mumbled, kicking the ground at her feet.

My left eyebrow curiously raised, "And you are acting so bashful because....?"

"Mom has some bad news. And," She sniffled, and my brow creased even more, "And I- I just don't want to lose you."

She wrapped me in some kind of bear hug and started sobbing into my chest.

"Uhh. I don't know what's going on, but Freya you're not going to lose me. I promise," Her eyes lifted to mine.

I smiled tenderly, still very confused, and pulled away from her. 

"Besides," I opened the back door and took my shoes off, "Who else is going to help me pick out my best photos? I mean, they all are pretty awesome, but you find the best of the best. "

I heard her quietly giggle behind me, and took her hand, "Alright let's go visit your mom. How bad is it on a scale of one to ten?"

Mrs. Rockwell, or Brita -what she insisted I call her-, was a nice lady with a wonderful family. She took me under her wing because she's an incredibly motherly character, and she was having financial problems, so she rented out the spare room.