Chapter 5- Alistar
760 Words
I reached the back corner of the gated community, entered the code for the gate, and walked through the exit. Although I know the odds are not good I would run across the wolf I saw yesterday, I felt excited at the thought. My dream only reinforced my yearning to see her up close again. I kept a close eye on the trail to avoid the swamp, but kept peering over along the bluff to see if there were any wild animals roaming there today. I saw a small herd of deer running off. I must have scared them when I appeared, they were moving quickly away from my destination.
Upon arriving at the waterway, I looked around but disappointedly saw no sign of the she-wolf. I must be crazy to want to be that close to a wolf anyway, I sneer at myself; they are wild animals, not cuddly pets!
I begin to skip rocks across the water. I scour the bank for the flattest rocks I can find to try to outdo my high score of eleven skips in a row. I threw repeatedly, four skips. Another rock was found and thrown, five skips. Oh I’m getting better. Six skips! I couldn’t help but think how different life was before we moved here. Some days I wish I could go back to high school, back to Susan working with my sister, and back to not having to see Travis Lykos almost daily. I despised the man, and seeing him was hard enough, but seeing Susan be affectionate with him was like a knife in my heart.
I continue scouring the River bank for skipping rocks. To throw the highest number of skips, it takes a combination of the best rock, good technique, low wind, and calm waters. Of course, an area free of obstacles was helpful as well. It was getting harder and harder to find good skipping rocks since I’d been coming here for months already. Luckily for me, when the river floods, the banks are usually replenished with rocks from the ferocious currents that the floods bring. During the floods which occur at least yearly, we stay inside the fence, because the swamps and river can be dangerously unpredictable. Flooding usually occurs in the Spring, but can happen at any time of the year depending on temperatures, rain or snowfall, humidity, and conditions north of our area.
I could smell the clover in the air as the wind gently mussed up my hair. After hearing rustling in the tall grass, I turned back to look, but nothing could be seen. I figured it was probably a rabbit, otter, raccoon, frog, or some other small critter stirring. I absolutely loved the tranquility out here by the water, The only place I feel at peace, just me and nature. A small fish jumps in the water, making a “plopping” sound as it falls back into the water. Dragonflies, bumblebees, and butterflies can be seen flying from one bunch of clover to the next. I see a small black caterpillar with yellow stripes, and wonder what kind of butterfly it will become? The tadpoles are getting bigger, swimming in the shallows. I can make out legs beginning to form on their amphibious bodies. There is always something fascinating to study in the wild.
It’s ironic, how much I love being out in nature by myself, because I hated hunting with my dad as a tween. I now realize it was the killing part I didn’t like. If I could have shot the deer with a camera, still been out in the woods, and spent time with Dad, I’d have been happy as a woodpecker with two peckers!
As I giggle to myself over the funny metaphor my grandpa used to use, I hear another noise, but it’s closer this time. I move up the bank to look for more rocks, and stay away from whatever is getting closer, but I’m not finding what I desire.
Finally I give up and decide to head back. Turning toward the gated community, I’m stopped dead in my tracks at the threat standing before me. My heart is pounding double time in my chest, my chest is heaving like I just ran a marathon, and my adrenaline is flowing through my veins in a “fight or flight” response. I stand as still as possible, but my body is so amped up, I feel like I’m holding an electric fence.
- Writer
