We Are Monsters 🌕 Book 1 || gxg

Alone Time

The cabin was more alive than it had been in weeks that morning. Sam sat in the middle of the movement, watching the two prepare a grocery list, to which Cain added copious medical supplies as he studied the contents of the scarlet first aid bag—which was really more of a suitcase.

"When will you be back?" she asked as Aidan laced his shoes. Cain was brushing his teeth in the washroom.

"No later than four, we won't be gone long." He got started on the other. "Are you sure you don't want to come? The city's not so bad."

Sam shook her head. "Not this time, I could use a little time to myself." She gestured to the brilliant outdoors. "I might even go get some sun."

"There's sunblock under the bathroom sink." Aidan straightened his jeans as he stood. "Stay safe if you do."

"You, too."

He grinned a cocky grin. "Always."

There was something in his eyes, a mirth or excitement she wasn't used to seeing there.

Cain joined him a moment later and slipped on his boots. His hair was damp, his beard freshly trimmed. "Don't worry about us, it's just a quick supply trip. One can never have too many first aid supplies."

Sam stood on the front steps and watched the silver truck disappear down the verdant tunnel. When they were out of sight, she went inside to make a late breakfast. While she cooked, she had the windows wide open and the television on playing the first Lord of the Rings—her favourite movie series, and the books were in her top five. The world outside was nearly as green as it would get for the year. Still, it didn't mean they wouldn't see a freak snowfall before the solstice.

The peace was already soothing her. She ate her fill, lounged until lounging grew boring, made a face mask, and did yoga, and it was barely after one. Ada was at work, so she couldn't give her a call. They tried that once, apparently Sam was a distraction.

With Ada on her mind, she strode down the steps toward the trail she had now taken a dozen times. It was a little chilly in just a tee shirt and jeans, but she was loath to put on a sweater. At first, she stuck to the narrow trail to the tune of birdsong. When that path ended, she followed what she thought was the trail they had taken to the clearing, but it was hard to tell from so high up. She was used to being somewhat level with the vegetation. No matter, she followed the approximate trail in the right direction. She would end up there one way or another.

Even then she wasn't as quiet as Aidan traversing on two feet. Twigs snapped under her cautious feet. The trail had faded, the brush dense around her. She could barely see the forest floor, so she was careful not to be too hasty. A burrow or tall root could cause some serious damage. Besides, the narrow shafts of sunlight filtering between the leaves above made for lovely entertainment. Here and there she saw evidence of the night's storm.

What was it like back home? Were the trees green? Had the grass started to grow again?

At long last she spotted a brilliant pinprick in the distance and she knew she was close. Distant ripples met her ears on a breeze. The right, earthy air was grounding. With each step, the light source swelled, a wide gap between two young maples which framed reaching ferns as tall as her midriff. She parted them with her hands and stepped into the short swaying grass beyond.

Sam had emerged five or so metres away from the low arch they usually used, putting her close to the stout waterfall. The ground sloped steadily up from there. She savoured the walk along the bloated stream and the sun on her face. She hadn't thought to bring sunglasses, so she squinted a little to examine the clouds, but found no signs of more rain. There were branches scattered across the open space in varying sizes. On the far side, an older maple tree had collapsed on its neighbours and was using their younger, stronger canopies to support its dead weight.