Disguised by the Forest

Chapter 10

Ana raced through the forest having the leaves crunch under her feet. She was hurrying to their spot trying to make it before Kai left. She was afraid he’d think she decided not to come.

          Out of breathe she could see him waiting. The moon was shimmering overhead. Ana slowed her breathe as she neared him.  A smile burst from her face when she could smell his sweet cologne.

“Kai . . . you waited.”

“Ana I was afraid you wouldn’t come.”

“I am sorry I got held up. But I am here now. It is so good to see you. What shall we do?”

          Kai grabbed Ana’s hand pulling her closer to him.

“I know a great spot to grab some food then we can go see a movie?”

          Ana gave a puzzled look. ‘Grab food? How do you grab food? Don’t you cook food? And what is a movie?’ Ana’s mind began puzzling over all these terms she’d never heard of. All she could do was nod her head, to see where the night took them.

          Ana smelled the air as they neared the town. It smelled like something rotten, she could see the smoke clouds rising from the buildings. Her heart saddened. There were little to no trees or anything green around her. ‘How could these mortals live like this? It’s all so ugly.’

          Kai stopped at a place that had bright glowing lights everywhere. Ana had never seen anything like this before. Kai smiled when he saw Ana’s face light up with curiosity and excitement.

“Ready to go inside?”

“Inside . . .?” Ana asked slowly.

Kai opened the door and Ana followed him. Kai told the waitress they needed a table for two. Ana looked around taking everything in. So many questions still flooded her mind. But she knew that Zeus was around if something went wrong. Or at least she hoped he was.

“Ana do you know what you’d like?”

          Ana couldn’t read human words. She looked at the menu with confusion. She wasn’t sure. She looked over to Kai with a smile.

“I’ll have whatever you suggest.”

          The waitress came back taking their menus and orders. Kai ordered them two cheeseburgers, fries and two chocolate shakes. Ana had never had any food like this before. They ate what they could grow around them. She wasn’t sure what or how a cheeseburger was made.

She cleared her throat before looking at Kai “Um. . .what exactly is a cheeseburger?”

Kai laughed “Wait? You don’t know what a cheeseburger is?”

          An uncomfortable smile formed across Ana’s face. She wasn’t sure what exactly to say next.

“No…” Ana said.

“You’ve seen cows before correct?” Kai asked.

“Yes.”

“A cheeseburger is meat from a cow and then you add cheese to it.” Kai stated.

“What is cheese?” Ana asked.

“Whoa hold up! You’ve never had cheese.” Kai asked while throwing his hands up to his head.

“no…” Ana said while looking down at the table.

“It’s okay, I’m not mad. Just surprised. I never have heard of someone whose never heard of these things. So that probably means you don’t know what fries or a shake is either?” Kai stated matter-factly

Ana just shook her head.

“Cheese comes from cows milk. Fries are potatoes that you cook in an oven or over fire to make hot and crispy. A shake is frozen cows milk with other flavors. Does this help?” Kai said.

“Actually yes. We have cows at home. We use their milk to drink. But when they die they become one with nature, and we thank them for providing the milk for us. I’ve had potatoes before but never as you’ve said fried? We cook them in a pot over a fire.” Ana said.

“You’re going to love this!” Kai said excitedly.

          The food arrived. Ana smelled what was placed in front of her. She wasn’t sure what to think. It was all so strange to her. To think cows could be used besides for their milk. Nymphs believed in being one with nature. That the milk is what they provide but that they will die in their own time.

Ana put the burger up to her mouth. The juice trickling down her chin. Flavors exploding in her mouth. She wasn’t sure how she felt. Then all of the sudden her stomach became upset. Ana began heaving as she ran out of the restaurant. She knew she was going to be sick. While Ana had only been sick a handful of times. She knew the feelings all to well.

Kai ran after her. “Ana are you okay?”

          Ana stopped throwing up and looked up at Kai. She was so embarrassed by what happened. How could they continue this now?

“I’m sorry. I guess it didn’t sit well with me” Ana said.

“Ana have you ever eaten meat from an animal before?” Kai asked.

“No…my family doesn’t do that.”

“Ana you should have told me. My sister is a vegan too. You cannot eat meat if your body isn’t used to it. You will become sick. Why didn’t you tell  me. Now I feel terrible!” Kai said.

“I wasn’t sure what a cheeseburger was. And had never tried one. I didn’t see the harm. Clearly, my body doesn’t like it.” Ana said with a chuckle.

“I’m glad you’re still in good spirits after everything!. Shall we head to the movie now?” Kai said, grabbing Ana’s had.

          Ana and Kai walked side by side down the street to the movies. Although Ana had never been to a movie before she was giddy to see what it was. But also a little bit more nervous after what happened with the food fiasco.

          Kai went to the counter to order their tickets. When the movie ended Kai asked Ana what she thought.

“It was interesting. But I much prefer watching things in front of me. Rather then through some thin flimsy material. I’d rather be able to almost touch them.” Ana said.

“Oh, so you like live theater. We will have to do that next time.” Kai said.

Ana was confused she didn’t know what theater was. But since Kai was excited about it. And seemed to have live people in it. She was excited to know more about it.

          Ana and Kai walked back to their normal meeting spot. Smiling the whole time. Despite not being able to eat meat Ana had a wonderful time. She wasn’t sure when or how she’d be able to do it again. But she knew that she wanted to, desperately.

“Kai, I had a wonderful time tonight. Thank you.” Ana said.

          Kai leaned in closer brushing a hair out of her eyes. She could feel her skin heat up. As he stepped closer. He looked into her eyes. He took in a breathe and leaned closer drawing her to him while his lips met hers. Ana felt electricity coursing through her veins. It took all her might to not sprout flowers from her hands.

          Kai pulled away. He knew he needed to say goodnight.

“Thank you for coming tonight. I want to see you again. Will you be here in the morning?” Kai asked.

“I cannot in the morning I will be busy. But the next day come meet me.” Ana said.

“Goodnight Ana.”

“Goodnight Kai.”