Part 2:2

Seth ran through the forest, his feet kicking through drifts of dried leaves as he went. The further he ran, the darker and quieter the forest became, until the only noise was the sound of his breathing and the blood pumping in his ears. After a while, certain he had lost sight of whoever he was chasing, he slowed to a walk, hoping he was headed in the right direction. Maybe he would catch sight of them again. He stopped and looked around. Turned in a full circle then allowed himself to fall back against a tree. The forest looked the same in every direction and he was no longer sure which way he had come. Taking in a deep breath, he listened. There were no birds chirping, no insects, or any of the usual sounds he was used to, just the hiss and moan of the wind through the trees. His nerves were frayed, and he jumped at any small sound. What was I thinking? chasing a stranger into the forest! He thought, as a cool breeze drifted across his face.

“What are you doing all the way out here?” Came a voice.

Seth startled, slipping from the tree trunk and tripping over his feet. He fumbled at the sling in his belt, regained his footing, and turned toward the sound.

Several meters away in the shadow of a tree, stood a boy a few years older than him. Twigs and leaves clung to the matted cords of his hair. His bright blue eyes shone from behind a scowl, and his face was covered in dirt and grime. His clothes didn’t fare any better; his shirt was threadbare in several places and his pants had holes in the knees.

“You might want to load that.”

Despite the boy’s attempt at being threatening, Seth lowered the sling. “Who are you?” He asked, trying to sound more confident than he felt.

“I asked first,” the boy responded.

Seth stared at the boy standing before him. He’s bigger than me, he thought. But he’s unarmed. “I’m looking for someone.”

“Who?”

“That’s my business,” Seth said, trying to sound smart.

“Fine, what’s your name?”

“What’s yours?”

The boy was silent for a moment then stepped from the shadow. He looked Seth up and down, then said: “Ben.”

Seth relaxed, he’d been holding himself so tense that his neck and shoulders had started to ache. “Seth.”

Ben took a step closer. “So why are you really here?”

“I told you, I’m looking for someone.”

Ben sighed. “Who would be out here?”

“You are.”

The boy laughed. “Good point.”

They remained in place, both eyeing each other warily. Seth thought it odd that Ben was out here in the forest, so far from anywhere. Was he lost? An orphan? Maybe he’s a forest spirit. The ones that lured people deep into the forest, so they get lost and never seen again.

“Well, try not to get lost, it’s a big forest,” Ben said, turning to walk away.

“Wait!” Seth called.

“Yeah?”

“I–ah, I’m not sure how to get back to the road. You wouldn’t happen to know?”

A big smile split Ben’s face and his eyes gleamed. “Lost are you?”

“No.”

“Sounds like you are,” Ben teased.

Seth glowered. “Look, if you’re not going to help then I’ll just find it myself.”

“Alright, don’t get all twisted,” Ben said, putting on his best offended face. “Follow me.” He turned and walked off, not bothering to see if Seth followed.

Seth took one last look around, then hurried to catch up.

They walked for a while, passing beneath tall trees and thick gnarled branches that arched across their narrow path; Seth wondered how it got here. Was it animals? Or did this boy make it? What if I’m being led into a trap! He didn’t look that tough, and he wasn’t that much bigger. I bet I could take him, Seth thought.

“You any good with that thing?” Ben said over his shoulder.

Seth held up the sling that he still clutched in his hand. The smooth feeling of the leather cord comforting. “I’m pretty good,” he said, not lying.

“You’ll have to show me.”

“I just wanna get out of this forest,” Seth said.

“You chicken?”

“No.”

“Then show me?”

“I don’t have to prove nothing to you,” Seth said, his tone sharp.

Ben stopped and turned, put his hands in his armpits, and started flapping his arms like a chicken. “Bwarrk, bok, bok, bok. Chicken!”

“Shut up!”

“Bwwarrk!”

“Stop it, or I’ll…”

Ben stopped; his smile spreading across his face. “You’ll what?”

Seth sighed. “Fine, I’ll prove it.”

“Great!” Ben said, his excitement peaking.

“But just to shut you up!”

Ben laughed. “Come on, my camp’s not too far from here.”

Seth stuck out his arm. “What–no, let’s just…” But it was too late, Ben was already off, running and weaving through the forest. “Fine, whatever,” he said and jogged after him.

“Are we there yet?” Seth called between breaths. He felt like they had been running forever.

“Almost.”

Seth stopped and put his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. Was everyone a better runner than he was! He looked up. Ben was gone. “Hey. Wait up!”

After a few minutes of running and no sign of Ben, he wondered if he was lost again and slowed to a walk. He glanced around, expecting his guide to spring out from behind a tree and scare him. Then he caught the smell of smoke on a gentle breeze. He sniffed again, taking in the smell. It wasn’t just smoke; it was the smell of roasting meat and his stomach rumbled in response. Must be the camp, he thought, and followed the smell toward a high thicket.

As he neared, he could hear an odd, grumbling noise, like a bear trying to hum a tune, and paused before the dense, thorny bushes. But the smell was too much, and his stomach groaned as if complaining about the delay. Ignoring the thorns, he pushed through and entered a small clearing. At the centre of the campsite was a large fire ringed with stones. Skewered and mounted over the fire on a spit was a young deer. Juices dripped from its roasting flesh to sizzle in the flames. Seth’s mouth watered, and he took a step closer. Maybe this wasn’t Ben’s camp. Maybe he’d stumbled on someone else’s meal, a bandit's maybe.

There was no one in sight. A hide tent sat off to the left of the campfire, but that too looked empty. He stepped closer, his belly urging him on. Convinced the camp abandoned, he hurried toward the roasting animal. As he neared, he heard a rustling in the bushes and stopped as a hulking shape emerged on the other side of the camp. Its green skin, almost camouflaging, was tattooed with dark runes, and its large muscular arms were curled around a bundle of sticks and branches. Seth froze as its dark eyes met his; its pupils were the color of amber and the sight of its boar-like tusks sent a shiver down his spine. He took a step back and the monster flared its nostrils and grunted. He continued moving backward, his arms up, trying not to look threatening. The beast dropped the bundle and stepped toward him.

Seth let out a yelp and turned to run, slamming into Ben. His nose connected with the other boy’s chin. He stumbled backward and landed on his backside. Ben clutched at his chin; he hadn’t seen the monster coming toward them yet. “Run!” Seth yelled.