Following the River

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The dying autumn sun began to light the hill on fire, crimson streaks sketching off aimlessly into the once cloudless and blue sky. Hailey’s eyes reflected the scene as the wind displaced her hair. The pink bow that separated the front from the back became loose, but remained.

A distant howl of dogs filled the air, the whispering of the trees in the breeze almost drowned out the sound of footsteps behind her. Hailey turned to face them, unsmiling. Hailey’s mom smiled at the old woman who was holding a tawny-spotted kitten.

“We’ll buy it won’t we, Hailey?” Linda responded as the kitten mewled and wriggled about in the woman’s hand. Hailey only shrugged, unsure of new changes, new schools and new everything.

“Well, dear, there’s a nice river and pond back out in the woods,” the old woman began, “and also some forest cats that roam around. I got this little girl from the mother…” she continued to speak and Hailey nodded and stifled a sigh.

“That’s all very nice isn’t it, Hailey? We’re going to love it here I know it! The house may be a bit old, but a nice paint-job should do the trick.” Linda reassured her. Hailey wasn’t sure if she was ready for new changes, but nodded in approval.

All at once the woman smiled, the tawny cat escaped her grasp, a dog barked, and a cell phone rang. Hailey chased after the kitten who was heading for the dense forest area.

“Spots, come back!” Hailey paused for a moment, was the cat’s name spots or patch? Hailey shrugged and sprinted after the bobbing white and brown tail in front of her.

The kitten suddenly came to a halt. A beautiful flowing river was winding in front of them. A few seconds after she stopped, Hailey scooped up the mischievous kitten and carried it back to its owner.

The woman thanked her and pet the kitten’s head. The kitten’s green eyes showed the expression of, “I was almost free, but thanks to you I’m back!”

Linda dialed a number on the home phone, calling everyone in her contacts. She told them her new number and address. Hailey watched the old woman leave, then headed up the stairs.

The floorboards creaked unsteadily underfoot, but it wouldn’t be long before she would get used to the feel of them. The first room on the left was painted a solid white with a walk-in closet. It wasn’t the biggest, but it wasn't the the smallest either.

The master bedroom was right across from it. It had an open area for a work-space. It also lead to its own bathroom. I want this room, but my mom might want it too. Hailey thought suddenly.

The last room across from it was very tight and crammed with barely even enough room for a bed. Then Hailey realized that there was a ledge that allowed you to overlook the forest. She quickly climbed the steps that led to the attic and parted the floral curtains.

The orange sun highlighted the treetops and the blue river that weaved through the trees. Hailey gasped, but then smiled; the sight was breathtaking.

“Hailey?” Linda called from downstairs. Hailey ripped her gaze from the forest and raced from the room. Linda smiled as Hailey suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. A girl about her age was standing next to her mom, her black hair was flowing down her back, her strange ruby eyes staring straight at her.

Hailey took a step back and softly mumbled, “Mom, who is this?”

Linda smiled and pat the top of the girl’s head saying, “This is Sarah, and she’s the neighbor girl. She saw the moving van and was wondering if there were any girls her age around here. I bet you two would be able to be friends!”

Nodding slowly, Hailey grinned crookedly and said, “Alright then, do you want to go outside?” The girl looked completely shocked for a moment, but within the blink of an eye she was back to her normal blank expression face.

Sarah nodded and slid out the door quickly. Hailey wondered why she was in such a hurry. It was as if she though she was going to get trapped or something, but Hailey didn’t bother to question her about it. They headed into the woods, zigzagging around trees and trudging through knee-high grass.

They stopped at a flowing river which appeared to be glass. The girl spread out her arms and twirled around. Hailey tilted her head and planted herself to the ground.

Sarah joined her and then said in a silky voice, “Welcome to California.” Hailey opened her mouth to reply, but nothing came out.

She completely didn’t know what to say to this girl. Her mom just thought it would be easy for Hailey to make friends so quickly. Oh well, Hailey thought to herself, she probably is very nice.

“Do you like it here?” Sarah inquired after a long moment of silence. Hailey just simply shrugged her shoulders and kicked around the sand that led to the river. Sarah sighed, then said, “Did you ever get the feeling that you are called somewhere, but you need some guidance in order to get there?”

“No…have you…?” Hailey was stunned at how this conversation was getting along. What teenager would want to talk about guidance and being called somewhere?

“Perhaps I was called here to meet you.” Sarah giggled and then stood, swishing her feet around in the crystal clear river. Hailey just sat at the shore, completely puzzled. Alright, it seems I might now get along with this girl after all…

Suddenly, the swishing of water stopped and Sarah turned to face Hailey, her hair covering her face, “D-did you say something…?”

Stung with surprise, Hailey suddenly wondered if she had said her thoughts aloud. Oh crap.

“N-no…what are you…” Sarah whipped around, her heart-shaped locket glinting in the autumn sun, making a glare in the corner of Hailey’s eye.

“Um, I best be going now. See you around, Sarah.” Hailey spit out a little too fast. Sarah didn’t seem to hear her, but Hailey decided to go with her thoughts. Yes, she heard me.

As she walked off the sandy shore, the grass swallowed her legs all the way up to her knees, but wasn’t strong enough to hold her captive.

Once Hailey had slid open the patio doors, she noticed fruit was sliced neatly on the table. Watermelon, mango, strawberries, pineapples-you name it. Hailey eagerly sat down and grabbed at a few slices.

The sweet juice filled her mouth; it was a bit tangy but sweet all at the same time. Some of the juice trickled down her chin, and a hand reached over to wipe it off.

Hailey glanced up, then tipped backwards off her chair, face-to-face with ruby eyes.

“What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?” Sarah grinned, yet didn’t bother to help Hailey stand back up.

Sarah was like a cat, sneaking up on people at the least expected times. What is this girl’s problem? She was just at the lake a second ago!

“Is the fruit I cut up not ripe enough yet?” Sarah inquired innocently while biting down on a slice of watermelon. Hailey stood and dismissed herself as politely as she could. She fled up the stairs and into her room to bury her face into her pillow.

A voice then whispered softly into her ear, “Hailey…can you help me slice the rest of the apples?” The last thing Hailey remembered were two ruby eyes gazing curiously at her.