Disguised by the Forest

Chapter 4

6 months ago . . .

          Fear froze Ana her eyes searched for where the noise came from. But she couldn’t find it. She knew that her mother would never forgive her if something happened to her. So far away from home. The leaves she had surrounded herself in shook uncontrollably.

          As she searched all she could find were two piercing green eyes starring in her direction. She made out a shape from the shadows. As the figure appeared in the sunlight she realized it was a mortal.

          Feared coated her throat. She had never been this close to a mortal before. And she was to far away from the compound to scream for help. She just fell deeper into the tree. Becoming apart of the roots and branches.  Anastasia knew this way at least she had the trees protection in case anything went wrong.

          The mortal picked up a stone and tossed it into the river. Ana watched as it made several splashes across the surface before finally sinking below. 

          Ana wanted to get closer. But fear paralyzed her. She was inquisitive as to what the mortal was doing. But her mind wouldn’t stop turning with all the bad things that could happen. 

          Ana slowly lifted herself releasing her body from the tree. The leaves crunched under her feet. This time it was her who scared the mortal. 

“Who’s there?” A gruff voice asked.

          Ana’s eyes darted around but she was not near enough to either tree to take cover. And the ground below didn’t suffice for enough cover.

“Show yourself. I know someone is there!” The mortal with the green eyes shouted.

          Ana decided to go against everything her mother had taught her. She would  get close to the mortal. And interact with him. What’s the worst that could happen?

“He—lll—oo—” Ana managed to stutter out. “Please don’t hurt me.” She said as she put her arms above her head.

          Ana had never been this exposed before. She wasn’t sure what was going to happen. But she took a deep breathe and another step towards the mortal.

“I would never hurt someone as beautiful as you.” The mortal replied.

          He cleared his throat and ran his hands through his hair. All his time coming to this stream. He had never seen her before.

“Hi, I am Kai.”