Disguised by the Forest

Chapter 5

Kai extended a hand to Ana.  Ana’s eyes grew large she wasn’t sure what this Mortal had in mind. But no one had ever extended their hand out to her as sow.  Kai suppressed a smile and quickly took his hand back and shoved them in his pocket.

“What’s your name?” Kai asked

          Ana took a moment to study him up close. Not sure how to proceed. She thought about whether she should answer or run in the opposite direction. Curiously got the best of her and her feet stayed frozen. Leaving a weird silence in the air between them.

“I’m Anastasia.” Ana replied looked down at the ground.

“It’s nice to meet you. Do you live around here?” Kai asked.

          Ana wasn’t sure if she should admit to this mortal that she did in fact live around here. As he put it. But in fact every part they were on and around she was apart of. She lived in here, the trees, the forest was her home. As it made her who she was Hamadryad, a tree nymph.

“Yes, I live around here.” Was what she finally decided to say.

          Kai raising his eyebrow gave her a puzzling look.  He had never seen a girl as beautiful as Anastasia or quite as mysterious. He felt a pull towards her that he had to know more about her. Even if she wasn’t being completely forth coming with her answers.

“I come to the river to blow off steam a lot. How come I’ve never seen you here before?” Kai stated.

          Ana grabbed a piece of her long golden hair twirling the curls. It was a nervous habit for her. When she wasn’t sure what she wanted to say. So she would get lost in her thoughts just twirling her hair.  Ana knew she couldn’t say ‘well I am a nymph so I do not stray this far from my compounds and explore. Since I am not actually aloud to.’ It would make her sound like a crazy person.

“I was going for a run and decided to veer down another path. And happened to stumble across this river. When you came.” Ana said with a devious smile starting to spread from her lips. She knew the answer would suffice his curiosity for now.

          Before Kai could ask another question. Ana quickly cut him off asking one of her own.

“Why are you here so late? Shouldn’t you be home.” Ana asked.

          Kai kicked the dirt around his feet creating a little cloud.  His dad had been sick and he didn’t like going home.  He didn’t like having to face the fact that his dad was dying. And there was nothing he could do about it. He liked being in control of all aspects of his life. And hated that this was one thing he couldn’t control.

 “I got lost in my thoughts.” Kai said, at last.

          Ana gave him a suspicious look knowing he wasn’t being completely honest. But she couldn’t judge since she wasn’t exactly being forth coming either. The sun was setting now and Kai knew he needed to get home or his parents would worry.

“Well I better get going.” Kai said hurriedly. “Will I see you again?”

          Ana gave him a small smile.

“Yes you will. I will try to be here tomorrow if I can find my way back.” Ana replied.

          With that Kai started on his way home. Ana watched and waited for it to get dark before she started home. Wanting to make sure she was completely concealed not only by the trees. But in darkness. So no other unexpected mortals would make their appearance.