Disguised by the Forest

Chapter 1

Six Months ago . . .

"Anastasia, where are you hiding?" mother called.

    The sun warmed her face as Ana sat in the stream letting the cool water hit her feet.  Stretching her branches leaves fell and tickled her nose.  She should have stayed near their land but she couldn't help being curious of the mortals.  The only time she got close enough to them was when one happened to stumble into their territory by accident.  They were taught to scatter and fear mortals 

    Anastasia was more curious then fearful. She wondered how something so different from herself could be so fascinating.  And why they could not know about one another.  Ana's long golden hair blew in the breeze the light reflecting off it. 

     Freya Ana's mother was getting frantic. Ana was a free spirit always running off which is something she would never understand. It is safe within the compounds of the community. Why would anyone want to run off? What is so interesting about the mortals? They are vile creatures she thought to herself. They don't care about anyone or anything but themselves.  

    Frown lines formed on Freya face, from years of worrying about her daughters safety.  Many moons ago hunters had broken into the compound and taken Freya's sister Tara. Tara was beautiful, and a free spirit like Ana.  She got to close to the mortals. And they wanted to study her. Figure out how she transformed.  Tara was killed in the process of trying to escape.  

"Ana you cannot run away like that"

"Mother, I didn't run away I was exploring." 

"Where?" 

"Here and there no where really. Just roaming" 

     Freya knew she wasn't roaming. She knew her daughter better then Ana thought she did. She could always tell when she was lying. Her nose would curl up slightly on the end. Freya would never understand what the draw her daughter and sister both had to mortals. In her mind she would much rather see them all burned alive. She would love nothing more then to get revenge for killing her sister. 

    Ana could see her mother was about to push more for where she was. But every time she said near the babbling brook. It was always a lecture on how you cannot go near there. Aunt Tara died near there. Blah blah blah. The same thing over and over and over again. She got sick and tired of it. Trying to change the subject to something her mother always loved talking about. Fertilization. 

"When do we start fertilizing the flowers this year mother?" Ana asked abruptly pulling Petra out of her revenge plot.

"I am overjoyed you asked! Tonight when the moon is the fullest we start.  How could you have forgotten about the harvest festival? It happens every lunar cycle when the new growing season begins."

"Mother you know I've been overworked lately. I have more responsibility this year. I have just been trying to keep on top of my duties"

     Ana tried not to grit her teeth as the words came out her mouth. She hated lying to her mother. She had forgotten about the festival. She didn't care like her mother did. She wanted to explore and see what was out there. Not tend to the fruits, flowers and vegetables. She didn't understand all the fuss. 

"Go get cleaned up. The festival starts at nine.  We don't want to be late."

    Ana went upstairs. She saw the sun slowly setting lower into the earth. She knew it was going to be time soon. Ana could sense someone looking at her.  She couldn't quite place where they were. But she could feel them close.  

"Gordon, you don't have to stare."

    Gordon cleared his throat.  He had been in love with Ana ever since they were kids. Gordon was petite, with scruffy brown hair atop his head.  He was more a side kick.  Everyone assumed he was Ana's little brother.  But Ana knew her mother only liked keeping him around to have a close eye on her. Gordon even though small was quiet and nimble. Which allowed him to follow Ana easily and able to escape detection. Well most of the time.

"Ana you look beautiful. Aren't you excited for the harvest festival?"

    Ana rolled her eyes. Sure she thought so excited. But I'd much rather be out exploring then cooped up looking after and caring for the forest and the plants. Boring! 

"Gordon have you seen my mother? She was supposed to help me finish getting ready."

    With that off Gordon went to go find Freya, but little did he know. Anastasia was just trying to get rid of him so she could go back out to explore. 

"When will he learn." Ana thought as she opened her window.  She beckoned for the trees and they listened to her calls.  She grabbed on and used the vines and leaves to make it down to the forest floor.  With each step she took she was closer to the mortals.

       They had a distinct smell. And even though she'd never admit it out loud. She found the smell charming and alluring.  Her heart quickened. She had never been out this late to see them.  Her mother either stayed in her room. Or had someone she trusted to stand guard. Normally Gordon would have sufficed. But since the Harvest Festival. Everyone was busy preparing, not one person was on their A game for keeping an eye on Ana. 

    Ana reached the border.  She was out of breathe from running and not looking back.  It felt exhilarating to be so free.  A twig snapped in the distance, that's when Ana knew she was no longer alone.