Shadows that Linger and Fade

Chapter 1

A cool breeze whistled through the clusters of leaves worn by the trees in the Umburke forest and a sliver of pure sunlight could be seen from the top of the forest. Goldie had trailed the paths of the forest since the death of her parents ten years ago. It had become increasingly harder to remember the life that she had once shared with them before her adoption into the Ursa sleuth. Along with the casual rustle of leaves under her feet, Goldie's thoughts tangled and twisted into a labyrinthine puzzle that could never unravel. She thought of Tesha's harsh words the day before on how the bedsheets in the house were to be folded and that she should have known better, the restrained protectiveness that was evident in Trejean's eyes as he gazed at Goldie from the porch of the small cabin she shared with the Ursa family, and the warm embrace that Stellan had given her after the first time she had fallen victim to one of Attier and Jann's jests.

Her casual perusal of the forest reached a close when Goldie stumbled on a taut wire concealed beneath the plethora of colorful leaves that littered the forest floor. She abruptly was tackled at her sides by two strong and furry bodies. The collision left Goldie lying on the ground and struggling to capture a breath. After her revival, she met the faces of Attier and Jann who had smug smirks upon their bearish faces.

Attier said," Surprise.....I thought you would be better at having fun with us now that you have had years of practice."

"It's quite difficult to have fun when being constantly jostled and verbally assaulted daily. Not only does it become tedious, but it becomes a physical hardship!" Goldie cried.

"I only did this because Attier said you would find it funny", proclaimed Jann in his young and innocent ten-year-old voice.

It was upsetting to undergo the torment of Attier and his questionably well-meaning plans. Nearly all of the outcomes escalated into a shouting match that was practically broadcasted throughout the entire forest. Every rustling tree quivered as if it were to soon be physically attacked by any of the shouting siblings.

This argument was not special, it was the same as all other days of the past that Goldie had spent with the Ursa family. Their mindless squabbles were devoid of meaning and they only irritated her.

The two brothers and their adopted sister abruptly halted their argument when the sound of a gunshot rang throughout the forest and Goldie heard the strained cry of Jann as he clutched his side with desperation while laying on the ground and the racing steps of Attier as he abandoned his siblings in the forest. Jann's dark brown fur was matted in the area in which the bullet penetrated his thick skin.

Upon seeing this devastating hit, Trejean rushed to the aid of his injured younger brother and transformed into a bear-like creature. Goldie could sense that his protective nature had engaged at this moment.

Goldie moved her eyes skyward as her ears detected the creaking of branches that appeared to be bearing an unnatural weight.

"Show yourself!" Goldie started with ferocity.

"Calm down." stated a strong voice that had noticeable grit as if it were without years of use. Abruptly, a man clambered down the aged oak tree to meet the eyes of Goldie and the transformed Trejean who began to snarl at the green-eyed stranger. 

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Author's Note: Thank you all for reading this novel. I hope you have lots of fun reading it. Updates will be every Sunday. :)