Simple ...

chapter four

Chapter Four

 

  The woods were too quiet, almost as though it was waiting for me.  No birds or animals crossed my path and I found myself holding my breath. It was beautiful as always, all the different trees and colours a pleasure to see.  But today, my heart didn’t seem to be working.  Simple was out there somewhere, most likely hurt bad.  Jimmy was too clever to leave signs like broken branches, but he had Simple to drag along. There must be something to show me which way to go.

  I looked for footprints and stones that stuck up from the ground that might have been trodden on, removing the top layer of dust and dirt.  I finally found some, leading off across the river towards the old Indian caves that were further up the mountain.

  That made a kind of sense. Jimmy would be the only person fool enough to go up there.  There were many stories of crazy folk that used to live here long before Gran or the Spiers.  Some say they were still here, one way or another.  Of course, Jimmy didn’t have to worry, being crazy himself.

  I wished there was some way for me to call out for Simple, but what if the stories were true and some crazed fool cut my throat before I could find him?

  I crossed the river at a narrow spot and made my way to the caves.  I had never been this far into the woods before and it felt damp and cold.  The trees crowded each other, keeping out the sunlight and making it dark and gloomy.  Everything felt different, sounded more threatening.  I could sense the creatures that moved by me without being seen.  Watching, waiting for me to fall or get tangled in the thicket, making myself an easy target.  They would have to wait their turn, I didn’t feel like being torn apart or eaten today.  Fear was threatening to root me to the spot, but my love for Simple drove me forward.

  I could see the caves about fifty yards or so ahead.  I prayed Jimmy wasn’t still there and had decided to return to Gran’s by some other path.

  Simple was lying at the mouth of the biggest cave.  From the marks on the cave floor, he had been trying to crawl away when his strength had deserted him.  I fell to my knees beside him, hardly believing my eyes.  Jimmy had left him almost dead.  Might have been a kindness to have shot him.  His left leg was broken, the jagged bones pushing their way through the bloody skin below his knee. His poor face was a mess; bruised and swollen, his eyes glued shut with dried blood.  Surely Gran didn’t give this her blessing?

  Jimmy had left water, which Simple couldn’t see to drink.  I pulled his head gently onto my lap, whispering his name, trying to let him know Jimmy had gone and he was safe.  I let a few drops of water dampen his lips.  I was no doctor, but knew I needed help.  Simple’s leg didn’t look like the broken wings I’d seen him fix.  If he was going to walk again, he needed someone who knew what to do.  There was no way I could get Simple to town or get the help he needed, without bringing trouble down on Gran.

  The Spiers weren’t too far away, I had to take the chance they would help me. I told Simple I would be back soon, and through cracked lips and a voice that sounded as broken as his leg, he said, ‘No, Leanne, s-stay.’

  I had to tell him his leg looked real bad and if it got infected he might lose it, or worse, die.  Somehow, I dragged him back into the shelter of the cave. It wasn’t easy and I did it slowly, not wanting him to yell out.  Simple held the pain I knew he must be feeling inside, like he always did.  It must have been pure agony, as his leg was spouting fresh blood when I’d finished. 

  I left what little water there was by his side, hoping I would find the Spiers, or they would find me, I didn’t care which.  Maybe they knew I didn’t really belong to Gran, and would help out, if only to spite her.  But if I walked into trouble and they were worse than Jimmy, what did I have to lose?