Midnight: A Collection of Short Stories

Siver Eyes Watch the Red Braids

The light was so calm... flames burned brighter every night, millions of oranges and purples contrasting the deep, dark blue of the night sky. Brilliant, dazzling green eyes found comfort in those flames every night. She always threw her shocking red hair back into messy braids, strands flying just like the thoughts in her head.

The woods were supposed to be a scary place. That's what the redhead was told her whole life—stay away from the dark trees, never go there, never venture into the dark of the woods, stay away from the forest and its creatures.

Now that she was here, though, she didn't want to go back. The only thing that would possibly change her mind was the fire, her light source, her life source. Those blinding orange tongues of fire kept her going, in a way that none of the other humans had.

The gray fox watched, hushed and diligent. He saw the way the red-haired girl moved with such swiftness, the way her green eyes searched with such purpose. He was surprised that she was not one of his kind.

The gray fox watched, loyal and patient. He was going to ask her about that, one day. He was going to ask her why she was not a fox. All that was stopping was the fire.

He would get rid of the fire. That was the only way. A plan mapped out in his head as his piercing silver eyes waited for her.

The redhead lays down, the soft soil soothing her back as she closes her eyes and listens to the gentle crackling of the flames. She can imagine the sparks, little red stars, floating through the air, and she can smell the refreshing pine trees. Energy is the forest, the forest is energy. Symphonies float around her head—crickets chirping, trees rustling, animals prowling, water flowing, and of course, fire burning.

The silence that hits her next is deafening. Jerking her eyes wide open, she soon realizes that the darkness is worse than the silence—the flames are slowly dying, black beginning to shroud the trees she took so much comfort in, long shadows getting longer, reaching for her.

The redhead had not known how much she depended on the light until it was gone.

Leaping to her feet, she trudges around her campsite deep within the woods for a glowlie pant, or a firefly family, or even a discarded lighter or flashlight. Anything.

She makes sure her footsteps are silent, and so does the fox. Both soundlessly prowl through the woods the other calls home, both looking for something they need. Red hair and green eyes need light, gray fur and silver eyes need red hair and green eyes.

Only one knows that their paths will meet.

Out of the darkness appears a startlingly vivid pair of silver eyes, so bright they are like melted stars. The redhead jumps back in surprise before immediately rushing forward, drawn to these shining silver eyes, a light in the dark.

Her hand reaches infinitely silky fur, and a gray fox emerges. Silver eyes meet green ones, at long last—and the last piece of a puzzle clicks into place.