In the Heart of the Forest

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"Hey, we are almost there. Just a few more miles," my dad says, waking me from my dose-like state. I turn my head out the window to see nothing but trees.

"It sure doesn't look like we are almost there." I laugh, watching the landscape pass by. It is cloudy out with a slight drizzle of rain every now and then--just enough for the road to become slick. Because of the multiple evergreens, the forest still looks mostly green. Other than that, the trees are an orange-brown mix of half dead leaves.

"According to Google Maps, we should be passing through the town soon, but all I can see are woods," My dad says.

"The town is small. I looked at it on satellite and you can just see a few buildings through the tree tops." I had taken to learning more about the town on the long trip here.

I un-cross my legs and shift my weight, trying to ease the pain in my lower back and tailbone from the many hours of sitting.

"Maicoh sounds perfect! Secluded, surrounded by wilderness, lots of wildlife, too."

"Maybe, but I also found some articles about animal attacks when I was looking up the town."

"Really? I thought the woods would be pretty safe around here. Typically animals are afraid of humans; it's not like them to just attack people, especially in one particular area," my dad says, turning to look at me.

I turn to the window just in time to see a deer run into the bushes. "Wow, the deer here are much bigger than the ones in Georgia," I say, gesturing out the window.

A streetlight up ahead catches my attention. The first signs of civilization are just coming into view. I lean closer to the window to try and see better but accidentally bump my head on the glass, creating a smudge from my oily skin. I inconspicuously rub the mark with my jacket sleeve to hide my embarrassment.

I return my attention to the world outside my window. I first see a run-down auto shop with a rusted, slightly crooked sign that says Bill's Auto Repair in red letters. Past that I see multiple little shops including a florist, an insurance office, a courthouse, and a little restaurant. On the other side of the road is a small playground outside of the elementary school.

"Down that road there is your new school," my dad says, pointing to a road that intersects the one we are currently on. We come to a stop light in front of a cozy cafe. I will probably go there sometime, it looks relaxing. Inside there are a few kids about my age sitting in a booth by the window.

They look at our moving truck like it's the strangest thing they've ever seen. Maybe they don't get many new people? I sarcastically wave my hand with a confused look on my face. One of the kids, a girl with blonde hair, waves back, looking just as confused.

I chuckle to myself as we continue on our way. We pass a grocery store and a farmer's market that looks closed before turning down a small road that exits the town.

Once we are about three miles away from the last bit of civilization, we pull up to what I presume is the new house. It has white siding with black shudders, a small front porch, and a backyard surrounded by trees.

The house looks fairly new, I suppose it was built about 5 to 10 years ago. The windows are clean and I can see most of the inside due to the lights being on.

"Well, this is it. Do you like it?" My dad asks.

"I could get used to it," I say with a smile and exit the truck. Upon dropping to the ground, my feet instantly start to tingle, telling me my legs are asleep. I make a strangled sound in my throat and wiggle my toes.

"Dad, I can't walk--" I say in mock desperation, dragging out the end of my sentence.

"Come on, the sooner we get this unloaded, the sooner you can rest."