Little Light

I can't seem to stop the burning rising to my throat from my lungs, I can't stop running though, not until I reach Mary's barn house. The dead leaves and fallen rotted bark already found their way through the tender skin of my bare feet. If I risk looking back it may give him enough time to catch up, I'll have to check on them tomorrow.

I often came to hide in Mary’s old barn house, she started leaving an extra blanket and an old cushion. The Miller family lived about 15 yards down the way for as long as I can remember, with the forest in between. Mary and I have been best friends since and our families are as close as any in the town.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunrise came and Mary entered the barn quietly. “ again? ” she whispered, trying not to wake the few chickens cuddled up to my side, She gave me a long hug after I gave my farewells to the chickens and goats before trudging my way home.

Thankfully no one had risen yet for the school day, which meant I could take the time to pick splinters out of my feet. “ Annie.” almost jumping out of my skin I turned to face my papa standing in the doorway. My poor papas' eyes were swollen, he panted with every breath until he finally spoke “ I’m so sorry baby girl- “ he said softly with fresh tears rolling down his face. Taking me in his arms he set me on the washroom counter so he could pick the splinters out from my feet.

After getting dressed for school I entered the dining room to discover all three of my younger sisters, save my mother, giggling at the raisin faces in their oatmeal. I took my seat at the large white oak table closest to papa.

Following breakfast, we grabbed our book bags to head to school. Papa gave us all a longer than usual forehead smooch before he watched us skip down the road to meet the Miller kids, where the nine of us walked together to the schoolhouse.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Occasionally- papa has episodes. Mostly during the random hours of the night. It started when I was 11. I had woken up to mama shaking me asking if I took Minnie, our youngest sister at that time Minnie was a newborn. It turned out papa had taken her on a walk through the woods around 2 am. When he came home papa set her in her bassinet, falling asleep alongside her. The next morning papa couldn't remember a thing. The episodes are never the same, more recent incidents have been violent screaming as if he doesn't know who any of us are.

We love our papa and know he would never hurt any of his favorite girls. Some may even say he spoils us with affection. I turned 14 last Fall, papa still holds my hand in public, he says to make sure no boys think I am grown. I've never minded-

Papa’s doctor said Papa had some kind of disease that causes loss of consciousness. The doctor claimed it was like sleepwalking but worse, to avoid it he needed lots of rest and no stress.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

“ Thomas is looking right at you! “ Mary announced to the whole hall room.

“ Mary! Shhhhh! ``'' Are you sure? you seen him? golly, his hair does look cute today.” I whispered after scolding her for being so loud.

Thomas was the most dashing boy in our grade, But the boy couldn't put 2 + 2 together. Although Thomas was a cutie I couldn't see myself enjoying a conversation with him, I like smart boys that read.

I would consider myself an intelligent girl. I receive straight A’s in all subjects, love to read, and quick on my feet to think up a plan or solution. More than often I tutored the other kids in town, I enjoy helping the community. One summer I even volunteered to help the librarian organize the shelves. Mama encourages the four of us to engage with the community.

~~~~~~~~~~

Almost all tumbling into the house after school we raced to the dining table for a treat before dinner. We’ve spent most of our time at the table since daddy built it, every day after school mama serves us a treat to hold us over until super while we run about the woods. Mary and I usually take a blanket to sit upon while we talk about our dreamy crushes in the books we are reading; our sisters play chase while picking flowers; Mary’s brothers toss the pigskin around till they get bored enough to attempt scaling the trees.

“ Mary, did you see that? ”

“ See what? ” She responded

“ that person, it just ran that way.” I pointed indicating where to look

“ No, It's probably just one of the boys circling back. Don't be afraid, no one comes to these parts of the woods okay? “ She reassured me by touching my shoulder.

“ you're right. I also didn't get much rest last night, maybe I'm seeing things- “ I mused

We lived on the side of town with large acres of land with many farmhouses. Our schoolmates would always tell the scary stories of the woods. Mary and I laughed at them for believing such tales. We’d lived near the woods our whole lives and never seen a thing.

Missouri wildwood, born and raised. The town was two miles away, which had everything from honey shops to theaters. Going to town was an event for Mary and me since we lived further than the other families. Every Sunday is God's day, by 8:30 am the whole town greets one another before we head into the chapel. After the service, we linger in town to attend brunch with our parent’s acquaintances from church. By two o'clock we’re on our way back to the house where our parents check our school work for the next school day.

Falling asleep seemed more difficult tonight, I've always had trouble sleeping. My room is on the first floor, with my window looking straight into the woods. I got up to use the wet room when I came back...I Could have sworn I spotted something from my window. The thing was smaller and quicker. I stuck my head out of the window but didn't see anything. Deeming that enough to lie down for the night, I fell asleep.

~~~~~~~

The school day went just like any other day. Like clockwork, we went out to the woods to play until we were called for super. I was describing the novel I began reading called “ pride and prejudice ” when we both jolted up and started running toward Lizzies screams...her hands were covered in small cuts, her stockings were torn on her knee and she was wailing that something grabbed her ankle. Mary’s older brother carried Lizzie back to our house while I ran to get papa. John was soothing her when I returned, she was almost calm now quietly telling him what happened, too quiet for anyone else to hear.

I followed papa inside to help with Lizzie, Papa set her down on her bed while she still cried. Mama came in with a rag and pal of warm water when I noticed Lizzie was shaking fiercely. The poor girl was terrified, Papa made to leave the room when Lizzie said with panic in her voice “ where are you off to papa? “

“ I’ll be right back, imma go have chat with the Miller boys “ he replied stalking off

“ IT WASN'T THEM, PAPA! “ Lizzie yelled after him

“ It's okay sugar, let your father handle it. Try to close your eyes while I get you cleaned up. “ Our mother soothed

I stayed with Liz, near her bedside. I'm not sure what compelled me to stay more, wandering to protect my little sister from whatever hurt her, or waiting for her to wake and tell me what she saw.

I overheard papa's voice It was around 10 pm, I stalked in the shadows to get a good listen of what they were saying about Lizzie-

“ That's what the miller boy said; that she saw a demon grab for her. Annie & Linny swore they were on the other side of the field from her with the other boys when she screamed” He stated matter of fact.

“ What was she doing that far anyway? And a demon? How would she even know what a demon looked like? “ Mama Argued it seemed she had a smidge of fear in her tone.

A demon? That's what I must have been seeing lurking in the forest- but how would it have been able to touch Liz? My heart feels like it's going to jump out of my throat.

“ I've seen it, twice only…” I blurted out to them both standing in the kitchen.

“ What? This is nonsense, this has to be just a kid messing with you all “ Mama summoned me into her arms. “ We’re calling the sheriff here tomorrow to settle this” I’d never heard mom sound so stern. They sent me off to bed with goodnight kisses.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Here I was running through woods again, I'll have to admit lying in the barn to rest didn't seem too bad. Papa sometimes had outbursts toward me and only me, it would consist of him hollering at me for hours. I flopped down on the old hay to take a few deep breaths before easing into a slumber I had not intended to take.

I awoke to the sun blazing in through the cracks in the barn. I started up thinking I was late for school, slowly I laid back down remembering it's Saturday. Thinking to myself, I figured if mama said it was just some joking kids, I'll go in search of them. To scold them for hurting Lizzie and creeping everyone else out.

The walk through the woods was always peaceful, I lifted my chin to the sky to absorb some sun. In the near silence, I heard the sound of someone chewing. I looked to the Miller's home, not any traces of anyone being awake. My curiosity getting the best of me led me to the destination of the noise. One deep quiet breath after another I peered around a tree- and saw a boy.

The boy was filthy and growled at me. He couldn't be more than 7 or 8 years old, and he was gnawing on something… fluffy. " Stay there" indication to stay to the boy, I ran around the Miller house to get Mary.

10 minutes later we attempted to lure the boy into the barn with treats. When that didn't work Mary ran and grabbed some frozen meat which he seemed to like subsequently throwing the treats back at us. We giggling at each other for what we got ourselves into.

" Where do you think he came from? the wild?" ask mary, we squatted near him while watching him devour the frozen meat.

" No, he must have been abandoned in the mountains. " The both of us pondered what we would do with him.

" He can live in here, well bring him food and you can teach him stuff. no one comes out here anyway "She looked at me with questioning eyes.

" Good thinking Mary, once he's a law-bidding citizen we can introduce him to Wildwood. Meet me back here in 40 minutes I'm going to get supplies to clean him. you get clothes from your brothers okay? "

" okay Annie, don't let anyone see you "

I sprinted through the trees, reaching the back door gasping for air. Before making it to my bedroom, I was stopped by papa aside from him the town sheriff.

To be continued...