Deer in the Headlights

Chapter 3

The crisp air chilled my lungs as I breathed in deeply, focusing my mind on the task ahead. Now that I was stalking through the forest, leaves crunching under my boots, adrenaline was beginning to stir through my veins. The last sensible part of my mind told me finding the deer was a long shot, but the suspicious, grief-stricken part that had taken over said that he would show up. My left hand tightened around the barrel of the gun while my right trailed my fingers across the trigger at the thought of the spike. A spike with one antler. Almost like a unicorn. I snorted at the thought. Obviously, he wasn't nearly as afraid to be seen as such a mythical creature if he had killed all those people. He was nothing but a murderer, a dark, sinister beast that must be destroyed. Again, the logical part of my brain tugged at my thoughts, and I tried to push down the memories it brought forth.

"Mom...I have to tell you something. Something about the deer that..." I trailed off, swallowing back my nervousness at her possible reaction to my story.

"Oh sweetheart. Are you sure you want to talk about this? I don't want you to think you have to if you don't want to." Her face was gentle, concerned.

"I need to let it out. I've been afraid people would think I'm crazy, but Mom that deer was responsible for all of the accidents recently. I'm sure of it." I glanced at her face, which was now void of emotion. I swallowed and took it as a slightly encouraging sign. At least she wasn't looking at me like I was crazy. I continued, "When he crossed, it was like he knew what he was doing. And he turned to look me dead in the eyes, Mom, why would a normal deer do that? And I swear his eyes were pure evil..." My throat choked with emotion. I lifted my eyes to meet hers again and my stomach dropped at her expression.

"Mia, I know this is hard for you, it's hard for everyone. Sometimes we just have to find something to blame for our hurting, even if it doesn't make sense. Of course the deer was to blame for the accident, but in the same sense it wasn't the deer's fault. It is an animal that knows no consequences for its actions," she asserted. Her eyes were watery with tears and something that made my jaw clench angrily. Pity.

"No, Mom, you don't understand! This isn't me making things up to make myself feel better! I'm sure of what I saw and I just felt that something was wrong the moment we made eye contact! If the deer was unharmed in this accident, why couldn't it have been responsible for all the others? If you just look at the facts and all the similarities..." I was aware that my voice was rising to a desperate pitch, but I couldn't stop rambling on, trying in vain to get her to believe me. She just shook her head gently and tenderly touched my arm. I snatched it away.

"You need to rest. We can discuss this some other time, but it's not healthy for you to get this worked up. Your father and I have already talked and we've decided to start therapy for you next week to help you cope. Maybe you can tell her what you thought you saw and she can help you find a reasonable explanation."

I turned my head in disgust, unable to speak because I was so angry. An uncomfortable silence filled the room. Shortly, the anger faded to a stab of sorrow and injustice. If she wouldn't listen, who would? No one. I numbly left the room and walked slowly down the hallway to my bedroom. I closed the door softly and tried to ignore the muffled sobs coming from the kitchen.