G/T Adventures

A Borrower's Life

"Mom, do I have to go?" Marlo, a young male borrower grumbled as his mother helped him into his jacket. The weather was still fairly warm, but to a borrower, everything was far more intense when it came to weather. 

"Yes dear. The rain dropped branches and leaves all over our colony, all men fourteen and under seventy need to go out and help clean up while some of the women go out and see what else we can gather from the humans just to help with today." Her silver eyes turned and met his, and she placed a gentle hand on her son's cheek. "Promise me you'll be careful."

"I know you're worried about me ending up like dad. But don't. I promise I'll be careful, and I promise I'll come home every time." Marlo hugged her as tight as he could, the fourteen-year-old looking at the old jacket hanging on the wall of their house. It was his fathers, but it was all they had found of him after he was attacked by a crow. 

"I love you so much." His mom grabbed his shoulders and pushed him gently a few inches away from her. "Let me look at you. Tsk, you're growing up so fast."

"Mom...I better get going. I love you too." With a wide smile, Marlo gave her a quick peck on the cheek before heading out of their home.

The lived in a hole in the base of a tree, the tree in an area of the forest completely surrounded by thorny bushes and other large trees. It made it hard for any animal to get in, and near impossible for humans. It was safe there for now. And in the winter, the whole clan packed up and moved into a special place they all built underground many years ago to keep warm and hidden. 

Marlo looked around at the mess the storm caused. Leaf huts crushed under huge branches, water puddles soaking into the ground and creating muddy holes that were very easy for borrowers to get stuck in. He could only hope his mother would be careful if she went on a borrowing trip. 

Using his arms he pushed wet grass out of his way, heading in the direction of the meeting place for the men. His feet would every now and again sink into the mud, and at one point he almost lost his leather shoe because of it. 

Once arriving at the place, he could see everyone being put into different groups, and after taking a deep breath he headed over to the head of the clan, Buck, to see where he'd be going. 

"You all are on body count, you all are on branch moving, and you all need to scout the edges of our colony to ensure we're still safe here." The muscular man ordered, and three groups of about a dozen walked off in different directions. His hard brown eyes landed on Marlo and he heaved an annoyed huff. "Late again I see."

"I-I'm sorry sir, it won't happen again. Where do you want me to go?" Marlo looked at his feet, his cheeks flushing red in embarrassment. 

"You say that every time. Marlo, you go with the third group and scout the edges. Report back if you find anything suspicious, and take one of our bows. Stay safe." Buck folded his arms over his chest, watching the young teen walk away through the grass.

Marlo pushed his way through large grass blades, groaning when one bent backward and splashed him with freezing rainwater. He was used to it though, it's normal. 

It took him half an hour to get to the edge of the colony, and he passed so many ruined homes. He had even seen a poor family crushed under the weight of a branch that landed on them and their house. His imagination always turned it into an issue. He always suddenly imagined it being his mother lying there, her body twisted and mangled under the heavy wooden branch.

Shaking his head to rid himself of these images, Marlo stood in front of one of the thorn bushes. As far as he could tell, it was just fine. He could see the top of a humans house far beyond the borders, and he could see a doe and her fawn out nibbling on grass.

Marlo wished he could be out there. He wished to see what more there was. If he could just have one or two days to...to step out of the border, to explore. Who knows, maybe he'd find an even better place for them to make home. A place where they wouldn't have to worry about rain. 

His feet moved without his consent, carrying him closer to the thorny branches that his tiny form easily slid between them. If he could just go for only a few minutes even, maybe...

A strong hand gripped his shoulder and ripped him away from the sharp, dangerous branches and spun him around. He recognized the face right away. "B-Buck." Marlo stuttered, his silver eyes wide. 

"Just like your father. He always said something was calling him out there. And it led to his demise. If you don't listen and follow our rules, it's a high possibility you may end up just like him. In more ways than just your sense of adventure. Do you want your mother to be left alone?" His deep voice rumbled, staring intently down at the young teen.

"N-No sir." Marlo whispered and fixed his coat, turning away from the older male. That wouldn't happen though. He knows that he's wrong. He knows he's not like his father.