Chapter Nine Part One: The Forest Trail

I made my way on the road that led to the forest. I walked with head up high facing the sky with a skip in my step. I can finally return to the forest. I was going to be in my element and at this thought I felt at ease, but not for long. I can hear footsteps following me from behind. I kept walking without looking back and quickened my pace. The footsteps got even quicker. 

I can tell that I was being followed so I took a sharp right into an alleyway and punched the person who proceeded after me right in the throat. "Who the hell are you and why are you following me?" While he was earnestly gasping for air while clutching his throat the mysterious man called out my name. " How do you know my name?" A furious rage rises within me as i ready myself to kick him in the groin until he lifted his head up and looked at me. It was then when I realized who it was, and my jaw dropped. "Oh my gosh Peter, you scared me. What are you doing here?" 

Trying to catch his breath he responded to me, " Well, I followed you into a dark alleyway and got punched in the throat fearing to be kicked somewhere I don't want to be kicked." He looks up to me with pain in his eyes and whines, " Why did you punch me?"

What does he mean? How am I the bad guy? "What did you expect? You were the one who was following me without my knowledge of it. How was I supposed to know that you weren't a stalker or even an assassin? Why are you even following me in the first place?" Peter then looked down shyly before getting up to dust himself off, " my mother wanted me to come along. I', fine by the way." Her looked at me with such a painful expression that made me quiver. I think to myself, what am i even doing? I take a deep breath before releasing a deep sigh, "look, you can go back if you want. I'm just harvesting some herbs. That's all." 

I started walking out of the alleyway and off to the road I go. He then ran up behind me, "What if you get lost?" I laugh to his question of concern, " as if. I won't get list. It's just the forest." This guy won't give up, will he? 

He places a hand on my shoulder to catch his breath from all of the running, "look my mother told me to come along. So, like it or not it's her orders not mine. Besides, no way am I going home to a guilt trip waiting for me if i let you go by yourself." He releases my shoulder and smiles at me. Welp there goes my peace and quiet. I took a deep breath and sighed out in defeat. "Fine come on." He smiled in relief, "ok".