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𝐭𝐰𝐨.

CHAPTER II
journal entry #37.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2019, TUESDAY.

In the snow covered forest, I've managed to spot two large stags, a bury of rabbits, a couple of ravens and the highlight of my day, a beautiful white stallion! It's pure white coat camouflaged it so well in the snow to the point I almost didn't see him! If it weren't for the loud sound of its hooves hitting against the snow, I wouldn't have managed to spot it. A majestic white mane and tail and very slight grey spots on it's back. I was tempted to approach the large horse but decided against it as if the stallion wasn't as docile as it seems, it could kill me with one kick as the horse was much bulkier then an average horse.

I still haven't managed to find the large wolf with dark brown fur, although I managed to find a pack of wolves hunting, and I swear I'm going crazy. I felt a pair of eyes on me the entire time I sat by the tree. It grew dark (much quicker than I would like) in the forest, forcing me to retreat back home.

. . .

                    You sat a top the window sill as you wrote the journal entry, curled up in a thick weighted blanket. Slowly sketching out the white stallion and brown wolf from memory. You closed the journal as you ran your fingers across the cover. The book had a hard cover with over a hundred pages at least. As the book was filled with entries and drawings of what you've found in the forests. Everything except the wolf.

You never wrote a full entry on it since you hadn't seen it fully before it ran off into the thick woods. You unraveled yourself from the blanket and slid off the window sill. As you walked towards the desk that sat in the corner of your room, placing the journal there before walking towards your bed covered in other blankets and pillows as you released a sigh of exhaustion. Slowly falling into a deep unconscious state.

. . .

The morning after was like any other morning, you woke up to the bright morning sun on your face, birds chirping outside the window and your hair being a tangled mess. You hopped out of bed and got ready as per usual, into a soft knitted sweater, a pair of black slacks and the same pair of boots. You quickly grabbed your journal before heading out. You grabbed a basket, your coat and your keys on your way out the door. All that was planned today was to pick some berries and relax in the cabin. The snow was growing thick and the breeze getting colder making it difficult for you to go out again.

So you would have to stock up on berries for the next couple of days. You haven't picked fresh berries in a while and you were growing sick of the food at home. You walked through the snowy forest, making sure to remember the way you came, basket in hand as you spotted some berry bushes out of the corner of your eye. You hastily walked towards the area. Placing your basket down on the snow covered ground as you kneeled on both your knees, examining the berries while referencing your journal. Along with every animal entry you've written, you've also written about the variety of berries in case any were poisonous or had a side effect.

While you were carefully picking the berries, you seemed too focused on the right things to sense a pair of eyes on you. He had found you again. But you weren't carrying any equipment, just a basket, the book from before and a pair of keys hanging from your waist. Was this the girl from before? He wasn't sure anymore. He couldn't identify your scent as you were surrounded with berries. The smells overwhelmingly his nose. If only he didn't have to hide in the bushes—

SNAP!

His cover was blown. You turned towards the sound swiftly as he tried to retreat behind the damned bushes, only to be spotted by you. At first, you gasped at the sight of the wolf, scared it would pounce and eat you for dinner. But then you recognised the colour of its eyes and fur. Yes, it was hidden in the bushes but, you could still see the slightest bit of its characteristics. You calmed your rapid heartbeat, shakily extending a hand out. Blueberries sat in the palm of your hand. Please don't bite my hand off, please don't bite my hand off—

You spoke no words. Afraid to spook or agitate the giant carnivore. It's ears perked up as it slowly stepped out of the bushes and into the light. Nose held high as it sniffed the palm of your hand at a distance. Now that you saw it in close proximity, the wolf seemed much bulkier and fluffy. It's eyes much more piercing, and it's fur much thicker when it wasn't running away. It's tail hung low as it sniffed your palm. Sniffing excessively but never getting too close, backing away cautiously.

Clearly not trusting you ,unsurprisingly, you lay the blueberries gently onto the snow. Sitting further away from the handful of fruit. Slowly stepping forward, continuing to sniff at the fruit before softly biting into the pile. Beginning to greedily munch onto the juicy berries before the pile disappeared.

Eyes darting up to you occasionally as you sat still, no sudden movements. Once it realised it was munching on nothing but snow anymore, it looks at you expectingly. Your eyes go wide in surprise before picking out more blueberries for the hungry wolf. Repeating your actions from before.

Albeit not trusting you in the slightest. It's posture tense and ready to bolt, the amount of hunger it must have endured to accept food from a possible threat. Afraid to scare it off or cause it to attack, you sit quietly refilling it's dose until satisfied. As you memorise every detail you could for a thorough entry later on. But, for now...

YOU WERE CONTENT.

1032 word count.
edited: 27 MAY 2021