Woulf my life- My father's daughter

I was, maybe ten years old and visiting my grandparents in a nice rural town at the edge of the woods. My grandparent’s house was located at the end of the town, and it was surrounded by big and thick trees that were designed, as if, to hide the house from praying and curious eyes. “Carley, dear! Can you go and gather some wild berries to make a few jars of jam, please?” My grandma asked while coming to the garden where I was playing. I loved the woods, and I was used with them as I grew up most of the time with my grandparents as my parents were busy working. At times I would spend months in their care, moths in which they would teach me everything there is to know about the woods that were hiding us… at least I thought they did. My nana was a ‘sturdy’ woman, but not to robust. Her hair, even if she was in her late sixties was still raven black and her eyes a deep green that reflected kindness and wisdom, she was about 5”7, and I remember wishing to be as tall as her when grown up. My grandad was a tall well-built man, that stood at 6”3 and looked as if he was in his forties, still, when, in reality, he was nearing his eighties that year. He had light brown hair and deep black eyes, and even though he was old, he still could make a grown man piss himself in fear, with one look. “Okay, nana!” I answered, smiling at my young-looking nana, and stood up to go get the basket for my harvest. “Try to stay out of sight and trouble!” she hurried to remind me. “Remember, there are wild animals around these woods! You never know what you will encounter. Keep your head down, eyes on the ground and ears pealed. Don’t trip and fall and be back before sunset!” Nana told me before letting me go into the woods. Back then, I didn’t understand why I should keep my head down and eyes on the ground, and I also already forgotten what my nana told me, by the time I was in the woods, but nonetheless I still replied to her while waving happily. “Okay, nana! I will be careful, I promise!” and off I went, in the pursuit of wild barriers. Once in the woods the freshness of the air hit me as a light summer breeze engulfed me. I could smell the dampness of the wooden floor and the vegetation in there, the fallen leaves that were covering under the trees like a green, red and copper carpet, was crunching under my feet. But there was one more scent that was tickling my sensitive olfactory senses… I inhaled deeply and “… berries! YES! I found them!” I squeaked happily and ran in their direction. Soon I found bushes full of wild berries unfolding in front of me eyes. I started, merrily, picking them, also eating some, adding to my basket some... and eating some more, until I realised, I wandered way too deep into the woods and I lost sight of the path I was on. With no path in sight, I looked up to the sky, only to realise, I can’t see it either. All I could see was the thick canopy of the trees, only small portions from the sky were visible, like blue dots hanging out from the trees. As I look around and realise that there is no sign of the sky, sun or my path to get myself home, I start to panic. “Hello, little one! Don’t you think you are way too deep into MY woods?” A man’s voice boomed from somewhere near my left, making me jump and panic even more. I turned my head slowly to the direction of the voice, and my eyes widened when I saw, what appeared to be a bear… but that wasn’t possible as he was actually talking to me. So, I remained there grounded and staring at him. “What? Did the cat eat your tongue? Little one?” He cleared his throat and asked again pulling me out of my trance, but amusement was apparent in his voice. “Sorry!” I said, unsure I should actually talk with the stranger in front of me. “I didn’t realise I was on someone’s property!” I added with a shy smile and embarrassment, while looking at the man in front of me. Our eyes meet and my deep blue orbs starred straight into his, and I just felt that I knew this person, but said nothing… also, I have forgotten my nana’s warning, to keep my eyes down. “As long as you didn’t do it on purpose, I suppose I will accept your apology.” He said with a chuckle after a few minutes of silence, as he was staring into my eyes intensely, as if trying to read my mind. “Now! Tell me, how did you end up venturing so deep into the woods, on my property?” He asked me kindly, and for a very strange reason, I found his presence comforting and reassuring… I felt safe. “I was picking wild berries for my nana, to make jam… but I didn’t realise I have left the path I was supposed to follow, also…” I said shyly… “I was too busy eating and enjoying the fresh air.” I stated in all my innocence. At my answer, that man - that I noticed was younger than my grandad and taller, with deep blue eyes, just like mine, and light blonde hair – let out a roaring laugh that reverberated throughout the woods making my eyes widen in surprise, as I thought I upset him by trespassing. “Hmmm….” He said, still laughing. “Do you know your way back, little one?” And I shook my head ‘No’. “I’m sorry” I interrupted him, “what is your name? If you don’t mind me asking. I don’t know how to address you!” I said with confidence and without braking eye contact. He looked at me and let out another laugh “my name is Patrick Moon, and as you know, you are on my land, my woods. Now, what is your name, little one?” “Nice to meet you, mister Patrick….” I was saying, but got interrupted… “Please, call me Patrick or … uncle” he said while smiling. “…. uncle Patrick… My name is Carley Sundown, and I live with my grandparents at the moment. Their name is Silverson.” When I said their name, I could see a flood of emotions in uncle Patrick’s eyes, that even I, a ten year old child, could read… from relief to happiness to sadness and a glint of… anger, but he soon shifted his gaze upon something in the distance, and when he returned his gaze on me, I could read only hope in his blue orbs. “Okay, Carley…” he paused for a second before saying “let’s get you home, the sun is starting to set. Keep close to me, and don’t stray from the path… no more berries.” He finished with a chuckle, and started walking in front of me, looking behind to make sure I am there and not lost. The walk back was silent and brisk, as he obviously was much bigger than me and had longer strides, making me practically run after him to keep up. While walking in complete silence, I couldn’t stop thinking why I was feeling so safe around this stranger, when all I knew about him was the generic information, he gave me. It didn’t take us long to reach the well-known clearing and path that takes me back to my nana’s house. “Little one, this is where we bid ‘goodbye’. Make sure you don’t venture this deep into the woods from now on. Next time might no be good hearted people around to help you… also remember, the wild animals are not friendly at all.” He said while turning to leave, but I stretched my had and grabbed the hem of his shirt. He looked down to me and the question was in his yes, as well as surprise. “Uncle Patrick! Thank you for saving me!” And with that I put the basket down and hugged his legs, as that was as far as I could reach at that time. He crouched at my eye level, and I was able to wrap my hand around his neck. I felt him stiffen from my innocent action as if he was afraid to not hurt me in some way, but soon he relaxed and returned my hug. After, we went our separate ways. Back home, nana was in the garden looking towards the direction I left into the woods. I saw her and run straight to her with my basket full of wild berries. As soon as she saw me, she smiled and appeared to relax and let out a relived breath, as if she was keeping it in the entire time I was gone. “Nana, I got so many berries, we can make a jar for mommy and daddy as well.” I said while hugging her. “Yes, sweetheart! You did well!” She said kissing the top of my head. “Did you follow my warnings?” She proceeded to ask with a raised braw at me. I just blushed and started crying when I realised that I could have been in real danger, if the person who helped me wasn’t a good person. All my tension started seeping through and I was crying harder while ranting to my nana what happened in the woods. How I got lost and how this kind person helped me to get back home. My nana didn’t even ask me who the person was, as if she already knew. I was relieved that nana didn’t scold me, instead she ushered me inside so I could have a warm meal and a cup of hot cocoa. After our dinner, we started our work on the berry jam. This happened eight years ago, and at that time I was but a clueless child, with no clue of who I was as a being or what I was supposed to be. I also had no idea who this uncle Patrick, that, by the way, kept in touch with me and my family, was supposed to mean to me and how he was always aware of our were-abouts. All I knew at that time was that I was a lucky child to have a loving family and friends, that was making me happy. Now I am reaching my eighteenth birthday and I start to experience some extraordinary things.