2 Sleepless Nights

GRACE

12 YEARS LATER

Walking around is the only way to calm my mind till the sun rises. It's been a long time since I've been able to just sit and relax without the horrible memories plaguing my head. Most nights I'll watch Kai sleep or clean the cabin but tonight nothing was working so what better to do than to go for a walk. Though the moon was full my heart was still empty. Kai is all that's worth living for and a life with him has been so wonderful. But soon he'll be a grown man, he'll have to find his own way and make his own mistakes, but it doesn't make it hurt any less. Hell I'm almost 30 and for 16 years that's all I've known is being a single mother. I lost everything when I fell in love, and then to add another kick to my nonexistent balls I lost my lover all because of a few stupid decisions I made as a kid, and a few chance encounters with the wrong people. Just as I began to think that my life was over, then came a miracle. Our son. My little light.

CRACK

A jolt went up my spine causing me to jerk around. I had gone out of our cabin to walk the moon lit trail that goes down the mountain just east of the barn. Wild animals never really bothered us because since we moved here we all had a sort of understanding, like a silent contract, they help and protect us from starvation or threats from forgein animals, we help and protect them, from any humanlike encounters such as hunters and trappers. Some animals come from other places to seek refuge or help, and believe me some can be kind and gentle but some can be as mean as a jealous woman out for revenge. 

Leaves loudly crunched as fours pairs of boots crashed along the mountain side and low voices talked amongst each other. I ducked down and searched for the closest trail hoppers. Trail hoppers are small piles of sand Kai and I put down to run across the tops of the leaves on the ground without making a sound. Once I found the ones going towards the elephant like clop sounds I dashed across to find a climbing tree. 

"Hey Kev...are you sure we should be here? I mean with what the locals say about the White and Black Wolves that protect this place?" I crouched down on a high branch just above the two Hunter's heads, using my hands to grip the branch to support my balance as I crawled across.

"Shut up Ricky. Those two are just myths made up by some humbo jumbo guy to scare tourists! Now hush! You're gonna scare off the deer." The one who's name is Kev is a tall fellow with a lean figure camouflage gear and a… 'WAIT!  Is that a Remington, 750 Woodsmaster?!' I felt the smile before it appeared on my face.

'Oh yeah, I'm going to have some fun with these guys!' 

"Kev! I'm serious, why do you think all the people that come up here disappear???" This whiner, Ricky? Was it? Is kinda stubby and chubby with quite the beer belly. He'll be the easiest to scare and he's buttering the other one up to be nervous and irrational. I grin. 'Most definitely this will be fun.' I crawl across from branch to branch watching them. 

" Listen okay? The Great Giant White Wolf doesn't exist! And neither does The Black Wolf! They're not real!" I grin from ear to ear. I know where they got that story from. I can feel the heat rush to my ears and face.

'That woman! I swear I'll get her back for that story!'

Then again it is flattering to have a legend told about you and your kid, even if it is made up. I took this opportunity to make myself scarce behind a hollow tree. There I found a hollowed out knot that I could use to speak into, to make my voice echo throughout the whole forest so it will be basically impossible to know where I actually am. Using my chest I let out a deep low growl that rattled through the Forest I grinned when I looked around the tree to see the men stop dead in their tracks. I lowered my voice into a cool, calm, seductive manner "Don't be so sure of yourself boys. Now what are two fine Gentleman doing on MY MOUNTAIN!" With the last words my soft growl had turned into a roar causing both the men to run. "Oh no you don't!" I jumped down and ran across the trail hoppers to cut them off soon using all fours to boost my speed. "Fuck Kev!! We're done for!!!" As they run for their lives Kev falls causing his rifle to slide across the Forest floor into the shadows. "HA! Bye Kev!" Ricky runs past Kev into the thick brush of the trees.

"Fuck you Ricky!! Some Friend you are!! I'll remember this Ricky!" I jump past and grab the rifle and hide behind another tree.

" Well well well. Humans sure are an evil bunch of rats now aren't you?" I walk around him on all fours in the shadows. "He just left you with us. He left you to meet your fate." The man's eyes were wide in terror, tears swelling at the corners. He was shaking uncontrollably and rocking slightly back and forth. "Please don't hurt me please!!! I'm sorry okay? I'm sorry I came here, Please spare me!!" He begged, causing me to grin. I run around behind him and jump on his back, my face was so close that I was breathing down his neck. "Don't you ever come back to this mountain again." I slam the butt of the rifle against his head knocking him unconscious. 'One down. Another to go.' I grin ready for the chase. I hide the rifle in a hollow tree  and race through the forest to catch up to the other Hunter, who wasn't that far away.

'damn that's no fun! I gave him plenty of time to run!' I growled as my adrenaline turned into anger. He must have heard me, he screamed and tried to run faster 'too late!' I pounced on his back slamming him into the ground instantly knocking him out. 'Crap! Did I kill him?' I tilt my head and wait for a sign that he was alive. After a few minutes he finally took a deep breath and I couldn't tell if I was happy or annoyed. 'Oh whatever!' I look up and breathe in the cold air. The sun is already peeking through lighting up the sky. 

***

I make my way down the mountain carrying the Hunter Kev on my shoulder and dragging the other, Ricky, by his pants leg. 'geez lose some weight guys!!' I slide down a clay bank landing on a never ending black asphalt road. Dropping the men I lean against a rock to catch my breath. 'Damn I'm not as young as I used to be.' 

Once I catch my breath I begin to work. I take off their boots and tie them together to sling them over my shoulder. I dig in their pockets finding wallets, change, and a knife.

'nice. that'll be Perfect!' I put everything back and open the knife using it to slice the backs of their shirts. If I'm gonna be a mythical legend then I'll act like a mythical legend. After I'm done I replace the knife and sit there not knowing what to do now. "Oh well!" I stand. "I guess I'll go see the Ice Queen!" I can't help but grin as the blood in my body rushes to my face and ears.