Hidden in Plain Sight

Five

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8 years later

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Today was my 16th birthday. I woke up in my parent’s bed - where I always slept now - and gave their pictures a kiss and got out of bed.

The last 8 years had been tough. Very very lonely and tough. I’ve taped all the plans I had ever come up with all along the walls of the kitchen and living room. Adding new ones nearly every other day. The power had cut off 2 weeks after I got back home but the water was still there for months until that also stopped. But I had been keeping stock of water. I’d ‘broken’ into all the houses, shops and schools in my town and took all the food, clothes, blankets, books, water bottles and pots I could get and bought them back home. I had a nice little stock of just about anything I could ever need - well aside from junk food which I missed.

Every day I would go to the houses and pick up anything I could find, I taught myself everything I could learn from the books I found. I grew my own vegetables and whatnots in the gardens, I went out every 3 days to hunt for rabbits or fish and any other animal I could eat - which was gross. I would take a walk to the small river to collect fresh water once a week and kept it in the fridge that no longer works. I got myself into a routine of what to do every day, so I wouldn’t just sit and cry all the time, which I didn’t do anymore - much…

Once every 2 weeks, I would walk back to the town and stay in the tree and watch. It was like my own television but with only one channel on it. Sometimes they were funny, but I suppose when you literally have nothing else to do in your life, you find humour in small things.

I haven’t spoken to another person in 8 years, wouldn’t even know how to now I don’t think. But I’ve tried to make the best out of a horrible situation.

I got dressed for the day and headed out in the garden, picked up some of the apples I had stored and any of the vegetables that were ready to be picked. Heading back into the kitchen to rinse the food and eat an apple for breakfast. Looked along the wall of plans, wondering if any of them could be completed today - unlikely.

Today was one of the days I go towards the town to see if anything has changed, it hadn’t for the last 8 years but there’s always a chance… right? That’s what I kept telling myself anyway. Plus it’s nice to be around people on my birthday… even though they don’t know I’m there… and I hate them for killing everyone around me - but not all of them were killers! Only most of them.

I had wished I was older. 18 to be exact, as it meant I would get my wolf, at least then I’d have someone to talk to and keep me company. Would also be better at hunting and have better senses - although, I have been getting better at them myself to keep me safe and to keep track of any animals I could get to eat. Mainly just training my ears for every different noises or my eyes to notice any changes in the scenery. But my wolf would be better than me. She would also be able to keep me warm in the winter from now on, instead of me having to wear several layers on clothing and being under a dozen blankets at night. Yes, I couldn’t wait till she came to me, just 2 more years!

I packed my bag up full of water and light snacks ready for the journey and my overnight stay at ‘the treetop’. I giggled to myself at the name I’d given the tree, making it seem like some luxury hideaway in my mind but it wasn’t. Ah yes, little things in life now a-days to make me feel human.

Making sure everything was secure and well covered and hidden just incase the hunters came snooping around - they never did but better safe than sorry. I packed up last of my things and set off on the familiar route towards the town. I had the trek down to a 5 hour walk, if I only stopped 3 times for water and bathroom breaks. It was essential that I stick to my route, I knew where everything was. It was a different route than the one we ran when we were trying to escape, that was the long way round in hopes we wouldn’t came across any of the hunters… but that didn’t work out as planned.

I shook my head to stop myself from spiralling in the past and focused on the now. My new route was quicker, cutting through the middle of the forest instead of the outer edges. Which could be classed as less safer but all the trees I ended up climbing through also helped keep me hidden, along with the trenches I had sort of made over the years.

Today though, something felt off. The hairs on the back of my neck were on end and I shivered even though I felt unusually warm - especially for late autumn. I moved at a quicker pace than usual, trying to keep the nagging feeling at bay but was no use. I then decided that something was definitely wrong and to just go home and come back tomorrow or another day, just as I turned round to head home, I heard it.

Voices in the distance and the sound of a dog or two panting as they ran ahead. Panicking, confused as to why there were people suddenly in the forest after so long, I quickly climbed the closest tree and pulled my bag in front of me and ducked low against one of the large branches. As their voices drew closer I could hear their conversation if I strained my ears enough and forced my heart and breathing to calm down.

“Now remember son, we got special permission to be hunting in these woods again in looks for few nice bunnies and a big ol’ deer for Mr Mayors sons birthday this weekend. We can’t be leaving here without anything worth a feast fit for a king, alright? Keep your eyes on look out and let the dogs find our target.” An older man said, his voice sent shivers down my spine as it brought back horrid memories of that day my parents were murdered.

“You got it Pops. Ah feels so good to be walking back through here once again! Why does he still have to keep it all under lock and key after all these years? All the werewolves are dead, no chance of them ever coming back. I know loads of us miss a good bike ride through the forest, it’s unfair.” A voice familiar but slightly different moaned.

“For our safety Ty, we know they are all dead but we don’t know if they hold any other power, especially within the forest, beyond the grave. It’s better to be safe to protect our people than to just go jollying around the forest for the fun of it. You were still just a kid when those things were around, they were dangerous and the forest was their home, where they were born. It calls to them in a way it never would to us so we keep it away from our people.” The older man cautioned.

“s**t, I didn’t realise sorry Pops. If it’s that dangerous, why the f**k are we out here hunting instead of someone else to take all the risks?” The boy - Ty - asked, more serious after his father’s words.

“Because son, Mr Mayor knows I’m the best hunter in town, along with you my boy! Especially after our big hunt score that year -” they both laughed “- and because I want the big pay out he’s offering with our delivery. Plus I want to see if there are any wolfies hanging out that we might have missed.”

They were both within viewing distance now, I saw the younger guy - Ty - nod his head at his dad, as they both carried on walking with rifles in their hands. The dogs were running ahead, playing with each other as they moved along until they both stopped and started sniffing the air.

Shit, they can smell me. They both bolted in my direction and started running and sniffing around the trees I was currently in.

“Whoa, looks like they’ve caught a scent of something! Quick, get ready, we must be lucky to get something this quick!” The older man called out full of joy as he ran after the dogs coming in my direction, both with big smiles on their faces.

“Come on boy, what have you found, show us.” Ty said to the dogs, rifle at the ready but pointed downwards.

I held my breath as they were both standing directly under my tree, I was sure I was well hidden but couldn’t know for sure and didn’t want to find out. My skin felt like it was on fire, burning from the inside out. I must be getting sick, after all these years. I’ll have to read up on what it could be once I get back home.