Chapter XVI

The forest was almost buried in snow. Today was our last hunt before the big meal. My goal was to catch a wild boar. I hoped we could find one because it was exactly what I needed to prepare for the Christmas dinner. I told Zane, and he promised to do his best to help me find one.

"We'll find one, don't worry," Zane reassured me as we prepared to leave.

"I hope so. The boar is the centerpiece of the meal I want to make," I replied.

"I'll make sure we get one for your special dinner," he said with a confident smile.

We set off into the forest, following our usual path. Along the way, I gathered some spices I found, knowing I wouldn't have many more chances because of the snow. I also picked a few remaining fruits for the desserts, although the snow had covered most of them. As we walked, we chatted about various things, enjoying each other's company.

Suddenly, we stumbled upon a wild boar. Zane quickly told me to hide, and this time, I obeyed without hesitation. I didn't want a repeat of what happened with the Tetrabear. I hid behind a tree and listened as Zane fought the boar. I didn't watch, trusting in his strength and skill.

After a while, Zane called out to me, "You can come out now."

I emerged from my hiding spot to find the boar lying on the ground, bleeding. We set to work skinning and gutting the animal. After two months here, I had grown accustomed to this kind of work. It no longer turned my stomach.

"Looks like you've gotten used to this," Zane remarked as we worked.

"Yeah, I guess I have. It's still not pleasant, but it's necessary," I replied.

"You're tougher than you think," he said with a grin.

We finished cleaning the boar and headed back to the house. Unlike our previous hunts, this time I wanted the meat to be fresh for the Christmas meal. I had devised a plan to make a homemade freezer. I didn't want to dry the meat because it would lose its flavor.

I asked Zane to dig a hole in the snow. He dug it exactly to the size of a wooden box I had prepared. We lined the box with large leaves from a fruit tree that resembled banana leaves but were not quite the same. I placed the pieces of meat on the leaves, covered the box, and filled the hole with snow until it looked like the normal ground. I had made small holes in the box to allow the cold air from the snow to enter.

"You're quite the genius, you know," Zane said, laughing.

"I know, right?" I replied, chuckling.

I had almost everything ready for the dinner. We wouldn't be hunting anymore because the animals were either hibernating or not coming out due to the snow. I felt a sense of satisfaction and excitement as the preparations neared completion.

Now, we just had to wait for the day of the feast. With the fresh meat stored in our makeshift freezer, I felt confident that the Christmas dinner would be special.

The days leading up to the feast were filled with final preparations. I spent hours in the kitchen, experimenting and perfecting the dishes I wanted to present to the Blackwoods. Isabella was always nearby, curious and eager to learn the recipes. She would often lend a hand, her presence a comforting reminder of the family atmosphere I had come to cherish.

One evening, as we were cleaning up after dinner, Isabella turned to me with a warm smile. "Evan, you've brought so much joy and new flavors into our home. We're truly grateful for you."

I felt a lump in my throat. "Thank you, Isabella. You've all made me feel like I belong here. It means the world to me."

The snow continued to fall steadily, blanketing the village in a serene, white silence. The villagers, bundled in warm clothing, went about their daily routines, the excitement of the upcoming journey to Lumina Lake evident in their expressions and conversations.

One morning, as I was making final adjustments to the freezer, Zane joined me. "Hey, how's it going?" he asked, his breath visible in the cold air.

"Pretty good. Just making sure everything is set for the big day," I replied, patting the snow-covered box.

"I can't wait to see everyone's reaction to the Christmas meal. You've put so much effort into it," Zane said, admiration clear in his eyes.

"I just want to give back to you all. You've given me a home and a family. This is my way of saying thank you," I said sincerely.

Zane placed a hand on my shoulder. "You don't need to thank us, Evan. You're part of this family now, and we're happy to have you here."

I smiled, feeling a warmth that contrasted with the cold surroundings. As we headed back to the house, I couldn't help but reflect on how much my life had changed since coming to Hestia. The loneliness and pain of my past seemed like a distant memory, replaced by a sense of belonging and purpose.

With the last week of the ninth month upon us, the village was abuzz with preparations for the journey to Lumina Lake. It was a time of cleansing and renewal, a tradition that I was eager to experience.