Hunter or Hunted??

The Mysterious Forest

As we walked out of the tunnel or whatever it was, the entrance shut behind us and we had no choice but to investigate. I wasn't to keen to the idea of checking things out and explained that we could do this another day. We needed to get everything figured out that had happened today, we could adventure some more another time.

"I'll race you to the windmill over there...."

"What windmill?"

"Right there... see??"

"Ok, let's go then! I know where we are now! Well.... I will when we get to the windmill anyways!" As we raced through the forest I was feel amazing and had so much energy that I couldn't contain myself but the closer we thought we were to the windmill the slower we went.

"We'll never make it there... I give up...." Violet pouted and dropped to the ground like a toddler throwing a fit.

"What's wrong with you?"

"This is stupid... What are we doing anyways? running through an ugly forest to get to a stupid life that doesn't matter?"

"Are you alright? I've never heard you talk like this before... What happened to cheery loving Violet? Can I have her back now so we can get going?"

"What are those ugly flowers over there? They don't even have any color to them other than green... how can they look like flowers but be green?"

"Are you ignoring me?" I glanced over at what she was calling a flower and quickly covered my face up with my shirt because they were tubers which where very pretty but would make you doubt life all together at the slightest smell to the point where you would die where you sat.

Why hadn't I been effected but she had been though? I wonder if her scent being near me helped me to not get effected... maybe it doesn't work the same for her?

I picked her up and she fought me about it for a little while but when we finally got to the windmill she was back to normal.

"That was the strangest feeling ever, I've never been that sad in my life. Can we dispose of those horrid plants?"

"They're actually quite useful if you're using them to keep intruders from leaving or entering...." I know that voice but where is it coming from, where is she?? "I came looking for you when you didn't get home for supper, you never miss a chance to eat so I was worried but I won't enter those woods so I waited for you here."

"How do you always know where to find me and have you heard anything new on if Teddy is going back to his mom or staying?"

"Teddy will most likely go back and forth for a while, I left that choice up to him instead of bantering with anyone about it and the royals know how I feel about the subject so they've informed his mother that Teddy can do as he pleases between the two homes but I have sole custody for now." she came out from behind a huge old oak tree and gazed into our souls. "I see your friend went on this adventure with you today, you'll have to tell me all about it on our walk home."

"Yeah, even though I'm sure you already know more about our day than we do...." I said under breath.

"I heard that, no matter.... I want to hear all about it! Come... come, my dear... help an old woman walk?" she gestured for Violet to come closer and I could tell she was warming her up to her so she'd be more comfortable when we got to the house. "Be a dear and make sure our Shane doesn't go in those woods again. There's untold dangers in there and those flowers don't even give an idea of the monsters that could find you or the natural disasters that could happen. You were both lucky that you have your rare gift. Your mother smelled of cherry blossoms, which was were her name came from, Blossom." Violet looked over and wasn't sure what to say, anyone could tell she hadn't expected Mama to know who she was let alone her mother. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize you didn't remember me... before your parents married you and your mother stayed with me for a short time, I'm also old enough that I remember her birth and yours." We walked for a long time with the back and chatter about Blossom. I could tell Violet was delighted by this change in our day, she had someone to tell her about her mother finally! Maybe she would help us find our family, if I explained why I'm looking into all the royal history. I need to know who I am and if Jack is my little brother. I'm going to talk to her about it next time I can get her alone, I won't have a chance for a while though since everyone is going to want to meet her when we walk in the door, I'm sure there will be food hot and ready just like always. I swear Mama is a witch of some sort, not a bad one but a powerful one, she would never fess up about it though no matter how much I pry. My mind was mainly focused on a nice shower and sleep. I had gotten lost in thought and fell behind but the sweet smell of Violet kept me on the right track. I glanced around before taking a fast trot to them and noticed someone following us but didn't let on that I had noticed anything until I got my face right up between the ladies faces.

"There's no way I'm the only one that noticed...."

"They've been there for a while now... I could smell them when we passed them at the old mill house, they've been not far behind ever since. They're harmless though, it's just the twins that were abandoned at the mill. They more than likely recognize my scent from the packages I leave for them."

She was the kindest woman there was when it came to those in need, especially children with no other help.

"They don't trust anyone so I keep my distance but they use the things I leave so I'll continue to bring them odds and ends when I have time." she continued.

"You help so many children that need families, do you have children of your own?" Violet wasn't sure if her question had bothered Mama or not but she never did get an answer, just an old woman staring off into the distance looking lost in thought. We all had always assumed she had children at some point but never got an answer when we asked questions on the subject.