The Orphan's Home

Pt 4. The Search

When Anne finally awoke, she did not realize it was already noon. Small beams of soft sunlight were shining through the dilapidated shed walls. Sparrows flew through the surrounding trees, singing giddily. It was a cheerful thing to wake to.

She stood up and stretched. A loud sigh escaped. Quickly, she clamped her hand over her mouth. Had anyone heard her?

Pressing her face to a particularly wide crack in her shelter, she scanned the area for any passersby. She held her breath nervously, but thankfully, it seemed that no one was around.

Finally, she climbed stealthily back out into the woods to explore.

As usual, Anne found nature enchanting. Forgetting her problems, she ran, getting nowhere in particular, of course. She was again lost in her own imagination.

The fairy, Iroquois maiden, and princess Cordelia had a wonderful time. Berry bushes were discovered just in time for dinner, and Anne ate her fill.

"I simply adore raspberries," she exclaimed, plucking another berry from the plant.

Crack! A twig snapping behind her, and she whirled around.

"What was that?" She whispered in a low voice.

She caught a glimpse of dark fur through the thick leaves. A dog? Or maybe a black bear?

Her breath quickened. 

She backed out of the berry patch, hands catching on the sharp, thorny vines, and turned to run. Was it following?

Her strong, thin legs carried her swiftly through the forest, through more and more trees. Finally, she stopped at the top of a hill, and cautiously took a seat underneath a mossy tree to rest. It was far from the berry bushes.

In fact, she had nearly ran to the opposite side of the forest.

As her breathing eased to a regular pace, she leaned back against the tree and studied her surroundings.

It was different here. The trees were tall, thick, and covered with spongy green moss. It was darker too. The ground was muddy in some places, and sharp rocks were poked out of it. It was spooky. Anne thought that it looked haunted.

The snap of another twig startled her. She didn't take the time to look. Instead, she crawled behind the large oak for shelter. A minute passed slowly as she huddled at its base, and listening closely.

"Any luck, sir?" A boy's voice asked earnestly.

Anne strained to here the gruff reply, but couldn't catch it.

"I saw bear tracks back at the raspberries, near the schoolhouse lane. Have you checked there?" A third man inquired.

"I did. I only found this bag."

Her satchel! Why had she been so careless?

"We need to find her before dusk. I didn't bring a lantern."

As she leaned forward to hear their words, Anne felt the mud beneath her shift. Hastily, she adjusted her footing, grabbing at the thick bark of the tree to stop herself,  but it was too late. She slid backward down the other side of the steep embankment, trying to grab at stones to stop herself. Anne yelped as her fingernails caught on a protruding root.

"She's down there!" The men had heard her, and were running to help.

Anne tried gripping the root tightly, but her grimy fingers began to slip. As she looked down at gulley below, she struggled to regain her footing. She barely noticed the dirt falling from above as one of the rescuers descended hurriedly down the bank to her.

"Let me help you," the boy said kindly, and held out his hand. Around his waist, a hastily tied rope held him securely.

Anne wrapped her thin, dirty fingers around his hand. "Thanks," she mumbled, accepting his assistance. He tugged her up to the top, where the two other men were waiting. One was tall, with dark hair and a beard. They other was-

"Matthew!" Anne exclaimed, giving him a tight hug. "I'm so very glad to see you again!"

He picked her up, tightening the embrace, his worried face now hidden by the top of her muddy, leaf-filled red hair.

He cleared his throat, then whispered in his kind, husky voice.

"Come with me, Anne. Let's go home."