The Boy of Susan

Chapter 4- What's Your Name?

"Henry, I really think we should head back."

"Gosh you're such a baby. Act your age." Henry kept walking. The dirt path was filled with sticks, every step made a spine chilling crush.

"I think we're getting closer!" Henry started to speed up. Trying to catch up with him, the sounds of the child grew louder. Kate's shoes were getting muddy, and the smell of the forest stook to her.

"This is really gross and I don't appreciate getting into creepy shit like this!" Henry stopped and scanned the area. Kate bumped into him from behind.

"Ngh! W..why'd you stop?"

"Footsteps..." He whispered.

"F..footsteps!?--"

"Shhh!" Henry hushed her. He was right, by the time it went quiet, there were footsteps.

"H..Henry--"

"Mama?.." A little voice said. Two little beady eyes came from behind a tree. Kate squinted.

"Hey, is that you kid? We heard you crying?" While Henry was talking, Kate grabbed a stick from the murky ground, and held it behind her. There's no way she was going to get ass eaten by some child, like in every other horror film she watched.

The little one moved from behind the tree and stood where he was. His eyes were filled with fear, his clothes were in shreds and covered in mold and mud. He smiled, and waved his little hand at them.

"See, he's friendly." Henry squatted down and continued to get on the little one's good side.

"Why are you here?" Henry asked him.

"Mama..." The little boy pouted.

Henry tilted his head, as if the little one was speaking a whole other language, he didn't quite understand.

"M..maybe that's all he knows how to say." Kate stuttered.

Henry paused to think. Maybe Kate was right, the boy did look in bad condition. Without anyone teaching him how to say certain things, he couldn't possibly say them himself.

"Where do you live?" He asked the boy.

The little boy pointed a direction.

Henry nodded. He smiled at the boy.

"What's your name?"

The boy grinned. He ran close to Henry and Kate. Henry kept smiling, not sure what the kid would do.

"Jackie."