Chapter 13 - Meeting the Shadows
1299 Words
HARRY’S POV
It was nearly dawn when I heard a slow growl from Dewey who slept at the foot of the couch beneath me. While John sleeps on the couch near the fireplace. I scanned the room slowly rubbing my eyes trying to adjust in darkness. Dewey might have sensed something in the dark night. He stands up pulling the rag on the entrance and smelling something between the gap of the door and the floor. He’s whining softly, and slowly run back near the couch seeing me sitting on the side half awake.
“Hey buddy! You must have sensed the shadows...it’s okay…” trying to calm Dewey down by placing his head on my legs and petting him. I lifted him and place him on the couch I lay beside him placing his head on my legs. “the shadows must have paid us a visit…” I say to myself
“Whaaat shadows?” John asked, he was awake too sensing Dewey’s discomfort.
“T’was nothing… just the cold wind blowing outside” I say
“Is it morning yet?” John asked “almost I guess, 3:45am” I answered.
He goes back to sleep murmuring something I am sure what. I toss and turn on the couch closing my eyes trying to go back to sleep when I saw a flash of light passes by the window. Dewey and John were back to sleep. I slowly stand up and peek behind the curtains. It maybe the camp patrols checking on this side of the creek. They know Jacob and Aaron is here they. I saw….her???
She was slowly walking beside the creek. Her back was on me. I can’t see her face but behind her back I know she is something. I try to rub my eyes to make sure I was not dreaming and peek again but when I check again she’s gone. Was it the shadows? I have spent few nights in this cottage before but the existence of the shadows remains a myth to me.
I was interrupted by Dewey’s noise scratching the base of the door, I must have been sitting for long now I haven’t noticed him run to the door, I can see the sun is up now noticing the lights coming from the window. I smelled fresh fruits and morning scent of the forest.
“Arf.. arf” “What a-?“ looking down on Dewey I saw a basket full of fruits and vegetables. Where did these come from I ask myself in silence. I picked it up and check if there’s some note or whatever but there’s none.
“Hey…. you were out this early huh?... looks delicious” said John rubbing his eyes “and smells good too”
“Uh-oh…” I stuttered not knowing what to say. I placed the basket on the kitchen table and went back outside to check on Dewey running around the garden.
“Dewey” Aaron let out a whistle… “C’mon boy let’s have a run” He was wearing his running outfit, runs outside to Dewey with John following him.
“Do you think the shadows have served him well Harry?” asked Jacob behind me.
I smiled to him and asked “you do know about the shadows?”
“I was only fifteen when I first visited the forest with my grandfather, he said the shadows do exists those were his exact words. He believe that the shadows would let anyone she likes to live in the forest peacefully but throws out those whom they do not like” he said
“She?” I asked
“Yes Harry, it’s a she and she’s not alone…” he said “They believed that they are the four enchanted sisters that protect the four sides of the forest. They would welcome the campers but never let them cross the creek unchecked.”
“What do you mean unchecked?” I asked him
“Aaron wears the blood my great great grandfather… and as far as I can remember the first time he crossed the creek…. his foot slips as he stepped on the first rock thus hurting his knees and went home with bleeding knees. The same thing happen to me during my first visit, I slip my foot on my first step to cross the creek and my knees were bleeding I almost cried with all the blood mixed in the water but my grandfather said it’s okay son, my blood is on you” He said “it did not happen only to me and Aaron but also to the son’s and daughters of other Wesley’s”
“You mean they only allow Wesley’s to cross the creek?” I asked confused
“No… they only allow Wesley’s and the people they love to live on their land and Aaron is one of them”
“But Mrs Wesley is –“ Jacob cut me off “Margaret hate’s the life in the countryside she believes she doesn’t belong here. But on the other hand… they allow Jessie to live here with Aaron”
“You know about Jessie and Aaron living here?” I asked
He nods “The night Ysabelle called me that they couldn’t find Jessie and Aaron. That moment I knew they were here. It is the only place Aaron knew her mothher would never bother coming after him. And the only place he knew he could feel safe and secured even at a young age”
“And what about the basket full of vegetable and fruits?” I asked
“It’s a sign that we are welcome to stay and live with them. Last night, I asked them if I can make some improvements to the cottage for my son’s comfort… having greeted by those gifts early in the morning it’s a way to express their gratitude and I do believe she is granting us her permission” I said.
“I saw her?” I said
“What?.. who?” Jacob asked
“I saw her walking beside the stream at dawn” I told him
“You saw her? The shadows?” he asked surprised. “But nobody saw her. We only hear noises, scratches and banging in the woods but no one sees her”
“I saw one of the enchanted sisters.. I do not know why but I knew what I saw Jacob and I just realize it when you told me it’s a she… Dewey was whining smelling something between the gaps of the floor and the door… later after that I saw a light flicker in the windows. I checked on it and saw the back of a girl walking along the sides of the stream” I told Jacob.
“Do you know your ancestors? Or do you have any idea who they are and where they came from?”
“Nah… I grew up with my mother alone. She said he lost my father when she was barely two months pregnant of me. I never asked her why or how but I just seem to respect the pain she’s been going through. I love my mom Jacob and I’m not letting anyone hurt her… not again” I said
- Writer
