Butterfly of Fire - Gabriel Brown

012 - Brown lands

As soon as Naomi's feet hit the earth she started looking her eyes out. Gabe stood next to her, claiming the spot before anyone else could take her attention away.

"Our land is beautiful," he said, glowing proudly, "don't you agree?"

"Yes,' she said, walking a few steps towards the tree line, "it's so amazing."

Suddenly she turned towards Gabe, "And you live here," she said, completely amazed, "how can one live in a land this beautiful..."

He softly grabbed her shoulder and turned her back around. He held his head close to her ear and whispered, "Want a tour?"

She nodded and let Gabe lead them into the forests. He led her trough a natural path, taking the route past the – now empty – berry bushes and the river. He stopped there and allowed her to take it in for a second.

"We get our water here," he said, "it's the nearest place with fresh water to our home. When the season is right, we can also fish here."

"Wow," she sighed, "but isn't it dangerous, with the bears and all."

He nodded in response, "None of us go around without a weapon of any sort of weapon."

Interestedly she looked at him, "So, what weapon are you carrying right now."

When he seemed flustered she started laughing. She poked at his bicep and said; "No need for a weapon when you've got these guns, hmm?"

He grinned and started flexing, to her amusement. After a quick laugh he continued the tour. He showed her a tent and a trappers shack they had put up, all near the main house. She was impressed by them, especially once he said all of them slept in them.

"Your family..." she said softly. Her short silence made him fear she was going to tell him she disliked his family, "it's so... So natural and free. You guy's really seem to stick together. I like it."

He smiled, "Yeah, nothing can break us apart."

She smiled a sad smile and continued walking next to Gabe. He frowned and looked at her, "So, what about your family?"

"I don't have a family," she said with a sad smile.

Gabe stopped and looked at her, "How come?"

"It was so dumb," she sighed, "that one night there was a really bad storm. Lightning struck and it made a large, burning tree fall onto our house. They actually had planned to cut the tree that week, is it had been hovering dangerously over our house already."

"I'm... so sorry to hear that..." Gabe said, unsure on what to respond, "are you okay?'

"Physically, yes," she said, "I got off with minor wounds."

Gabe went completely silent. He wanted to hug her so badly, but he was scared she'd push him away. He just kept staring at her.

"If I'm that pretty, just take a picture," she laughed a little and continued the walk, "but that was back in the day. I've started a life on my own now and live in their places."

"That's quite the positive outlook," he complimented her, leading her towards the main house.

She chuckled, "Well, of coarse! We live too short to dwell on the past."

He smiled softly, still unsure on what to respond, so he decided to put attention to the main house. She looked up at the house, seeming amazed, so he took it as the perfect opportunity, "Beautiful, isn't it?"

She nodded, "It really is. How did you manage to get a house out here."

"We built it ourselves," he chuckled, "my mom picked the spot."

"But how? Wasn't it heavy?" she wondered.

"Well," he said, flexing casually, "they've got me."