Secrets of the Willow

Chapter 43 - Hidden home.

I spent most of the day with Natalia as she walked me around the rest of their home, or what I realised was more of a large community. There was cabin after cabin, with several main campfires where they’d sit to eat, rest and socialise. They had small stalls with bread, fruit and vegetables which didn’t even have to be paid for. Everyone here did their part to bake, grow food and distribute it equally to each member from the stalls. There was a well full of fresh water, two crop gardens and shacks full with ripe goods that had been freshly picked. They even had a small damp cave where they stored all their fresh meat to be chopped and cooked throughout the day. Their land was vast and secluded with wolves guarding the treeline day and night while others went to hunt. I was completely astonished by everything she told me about how they all work together, how often they’re able to relax, they care and protect one another and take pride in everything they had built. It was incredible to think that just beyond the town of Mullberry creek, this whole other community were thriving peacefully together and no one but me knew anything about it.

As the sun began to glow in the darkened blue sky, Natalia walked me back to the campfire I had come to when I first arrived. “It’s preparation time now for our last meal of the day, would you like to help ready the meat?” She asked as she gently placed her hand on my arm.

“Yes, I’d love to”. I replied with more enthusiasm than I actually felt.

“Great! Lottie can show you what to do”. She responded, causing Lottie to look up from the deer she was already carving and stare wide eyed at me as if she’d just seen a ghost. “Oh, relax Lottie. She’s human, she won’t bite”. Natalia chuckled. “Show her what to do, and I’ll be back in a moment”. She added before turning her attention back to me. “I’ll let Conall know where you are”. She smiled before leaving me alone with Lottie who looked just as anxious as I did.

“What can I do to help?” I asked nervously as I took a small step closer to her and the wooden bench that the deer was led upon.

“Umm, just grab that knife”. She answered, barely meeting my eye as she nodded toward one of the sharp handcrafted knives placed in a wooden pot.

I grabbed the knife whilst she pushed an enormous slab of meat closer toward me and I almost gagged at the sight of it.

“Just carve large slices, but don’t make them too thick”. She said and I silently began to saw through it as nausea set in my stomach. I’d never seen a dead deer before, let alone it’s insides, yet here I was cutting away at it as it’s blood spilled along the bench.

“It’s harder than it looks”. I muttered as I scrunched up my nose and already felt the ache in my wrist.

“You get used to it. Then it becomes no harder than cutting through an apple”.

“Well, I’ve never done this before, so I hope I don’t make a mess of it”.

“It doesn’t matter too much, the males here will devour it regardless”. She said with a subtle chuckle, I barely heard it.

“I’m Eva by the way”. I suddenly blurted out as I noticed her posture had slightly relaxed and took that as my cue to hopefully have someone else here to talk to.

“Yes, I know. Your name is on everyone’s lips today”.

“I noticed”. I replied feeling sheepish again and I could hear the sudden heaviness of footsteps as members began to sit behind us on the logs waiting for their food. “I just hope I’m not the topic for too long”. I added in a quieter voice for only her to hear.

“Don’t you like having everyone’s attention?”

“No!” I rebuffed instantly. “I just prefer quietly doing my own thing, while everyone does theirs. I’ve never been one for the spotlight”.

“Hm”. She grumbled with a surprised look. “I thought humans were rather vain that way. Self-absorbed, wanting everything for themselves, wanting to be known and popular”.

“Well, I guess some are like that, but definitely not all. None of my friends act that way. In fact, we all looked out for one another”.

“You miss them?”

“I really do”.

“Do they know you’re here?”

“No. Me and Conall both left Mullberry without telling anyone where we….”

“EVA!” Conall suddenly called out, cutting my conversation off with Lottie as I whipped my head around to see him rushing over. “I’d like you to meet my parents”. He said as with a wide smile as he motioned for them to approach.

“Mum, dad, this is Eva”. He spoke as they mirrored his excitement and immediately held out their hands for me to shake.

“Oh, sorry, my hands are dirty”. I told them as I awkwardly fidgeted on my feet when Lottie chuckled and handed me a wet cloth. “Thanks”. I murmured with a grateful glance at her.

“It’s nice to officially meet you, Eva. We already knew you were trustworthy when we first saw you”. His mother chimed. “And we could also see why our Conall was instantly drawn to you, you are very beautiful”.

“Mother!” Conall exclaimed as embarrassment washed over his face.

“She’s not lying though, is she?” His father chuckled as he playfully nudged Conall’s arm. “You’ve not stopped talking about her every time you came home”.

“Ah, jeez dad, you’re not helping much”. Conall sighed with exasperation, causing his father to laugh even more.

“Stop teasing him”. His mother cooed as she squeezed his father’s hand with an amused smile. “I’m Prudence, and this ridiculous man next to me is Sul”. She added as they both continued to smile at me as if they knew something I didn’t.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you both. Hopefully we can get to know each other a bit better while I’m here”. I responded, trying to ignore the creeping nerves as everyone else around us fell quiet and watched our interaction.

“Oh, we feel as if we already know you”. Prudence stated as she grabbed my hand and held it. “After all the times we’ve watched you, it’s nice to be able to actually say hello”. She giggled.

“Watched me?” I quizzed as I glanced at them and Conall.

“Yea”. Conall answered with a nod. “My parents and a few others here have watched over you and even me since Malcom has been attacking more frequently”.

“I see”. I smiled awkwardly. I knew all about Conall watching over me, and being able to call on the wolves when I needed help, but I didn’t realise they had been keeping an eye on me all this time. “Well, thank you. I feel honoured”. I added sincerely, now knowing how far they had to travel each time they came to the Mullberry forest border.

“To be honest, I wish we could have done more”. Prudence sighed as she pulled me along with her to sit down. “But we don’t show ourselves to your kind, so we’re not able to leave the forest, which is why Conall was so insistent on staying there with you”. She stated and I couldn’t help but look at Conall’s bashful expression and smile.

“Well, I honestly think me and even my friends would have been a lot more worse off if he hadn’t been around. He’s been a really good friend”.

“Hm”. She grumbled as her smile half vanished whilst passing a quick confused look at Conall then back to me. “That’s…. that’s good”. She said as she let go of my hand. “Now let’s eat, I’m sure the last couple of days have been a lot for you. You’ll need to eat plenty to keep up your energy”. She advised just as Conall handed us both wooden bowls filled with meat and vegetables. It was only then that everyone began to fill the sudden quietness with their own conversations while others spoke in hushed whispers, constantly looking at me and Conall as he sat next to me and I tried to focus on what he was saying rather than the many eyes glancing my way.