In a Forest, Under a Tree Where Many Plans Were Made

Chapter Four

🌲A Huntress and Her Woes🌲

It had rained overnight, and sparkling droplets coated the trees and grass, making it look like magic had been there. Jack woke quietly, not wanting to wake Summers peaceful slumber and set off into the woods. He realised he was going to need a cutting device, to chop trees so he could build a hut.

He found a large stone. He sharpened it until his sharpener was almost blunt, but not quite. He took the heavy stone in his hands, and started to use it to hack at a tree.

Summer woke to the thuds of stone on wood. She slipped her shoes on and walked out to find Jack wiping the sweat off his brow. "Don't do this now," said Summer.

"I have to. I need to start. You can help too... You can start collecting leaves and things to make furniture."

"I need wood for most things. A wooden bed frame, for example." she replied.

"Okay... You can hunt. You have a good enough aim with my spear. We used to hit targets."

Summer was reluctant. Hitting targets and hitting animals were quite different things. This was killing a living creature! But they did need to eat. "Fine. But don't expect too much of me." Summer said, giving in. Jack nodded. "Great!" He handed her his trusty spear. "Don't break it. I love it about as much as I love you!" He laughed. Summer also laughed. "Where do I go?"

"I saw some wild chickens a little further in. Don't worry, you won't get lost. I know you. Besides, if you don't come back by the time it's dark, I'll come looking. You'll be just fine." Replied Jack considerately. Summer nodded, gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and set off into the woods.

Summer wandered for about ten minutes without finding anything. She did pick a few berries, but she was looking for meat. Eventually, she did chance upon a lamb, which was great. She could use the wool and the meat! She raised the spear silently, before she started having second thoughts.

This lamb was innocent, looking up at her with curiosity. It had big eyes and looked very soft. She leaned in a little, to pet the baby sheep. It obliged. Summer the Human was a new thing for the sheep, and it wasn't wary. The lamb trusted her. She couldn't kill it now! But he must, she needed to get meat. But she couldn't kill the poor lamb! It was murder. Cold blooded murder. How did Jack do it all the time? Summer was already feeling guilty and she hadn't done anything yet!

But by the time she'd made up her mind that she just HAD to kill it, it had walked away. Summer decided to go away from the lamb, and kill a chicken instead. She preferred chicken to lamb anyway.

But similar episodes repeated themselves and it started to get dark. Summer had only mustered up the courage to kill one chicken, and was feeling guilty. She turned to go back to where she and Jack were building, when she realised:

She was lost.

She looked around the general area, but was too frightened to wander any further, in case she became absolutely, completely lost. She decided to wait for Jack. He'd find her. He always found her.

But an hour had passed and he had not found her. Summer kept from crying, pretending she could hear Jacks footsteps nearby, and calling out his name. But no one was there.

Finally, she started crying. "Jack!! Where are you? Where am I!? Help Jack!!"

But Jack still did not come.

Another hour passed. The worst hour of Summers life. She cried and cried, then stopped for a second, then cried some more. She thought she was going to dry up, and use all the water in her body for tears. She closed her eyes eventually and slept. She dreamt that a lamb was walking on its two hind legs, chasing her through the woods with a spear, calling "Summer! Summer!" Frantically in Jacks voice. Summer woke with a start to see Jack kneeling next to her, shaking her shoulders. "God Summer, I thought I'd lost you forever!" He said, tears sparkling his eyes. It was painfully obvious he wouldn't be able to live without Summer.

"I thought I'd lost you too." said Summer back, trying not to cry but failing miserably. "Here: I only caught a chicken. Sorry. I just couldn't kill!!"

Jack laughed a little, and his old smile crept back. "Summer. I wouldn't mind if you hadn't caught ANYTHING, as long as you were safe. It's my fault for getting you to hunt. I should've known you couldn't kill something."

And so arm in arm they walked back to their clearing. Summer saw Jack had made a start, and built one wall made of wood. It was just lots of wood blocks haphazardly stuck together though. They would need a sort of sticking device. Mud, perhaps? Summer didn't know or care what Jack was planning. Her eyes hurt from crying so much, and as soon as she got into the tent, she feel asleep.

And that was the chapter about a huntress and her woes. Which sadly, were only just beginning...