Letting Him Go

Ch. 1: The Talk


I don't own Hilda.


"Hilda, come out here NOW!" Johanna shouted from the living room.

Hilda, 15 years of age, placed the book she was reading on her nightstand and hurried out of her bedroom.

"What is it, mum?"

Johanna, visibly upset, pointed at the floor. Hilda saw the remains of a flower pot, shattered to pieces with soil and flower pedals scattered across the carpet.

"H-how did this happen?" Hilda asked.

"How do you think?" Johanna snapped, waving her hand at Twig, who sat nearby with his head bowed, looking very despondent about what he had done.

Twig was no longer a small, adorable deerfox pup. He has finally matured into a slim, handsome stag, almost taller than teenage Hilda herself. His antlers have also grown larger and somewhat sharper, which had resulted in some torn window curtains and scrapes on the wall just the other day.

"Oh no, Twig…" Hilda muttered.

Twig responded with a guilty whimper.

"I'm so sorry, mum."

"Look Hilda, I'm gonna clean this up, but me and you need to have a talk afterward, alright?"

"Oh…okay." Hilda felt a knot grow in her throat.

"Bring Twig into your room." Johanna instructed as she went to fetch the broom and dust pan.

Hilda led Twig into her bedroom. The deerfox had trouble entering the doorway, needing to twist his neck and body to fit his antlers through. He climbed onto Hilda's bed and laid down.

"Twig, you've gotta be more careful, boy." Hilda said, gently stroking his snout.

Apologetic, Twig whimpered once again.

"I know you didn't mean to." Hilda pressed her head lovingly against his white mane, "So much has changed. I can't believe how fast you've grown. You've gotten so big, you can hardly fit through the door. Seems only yesterday you were just a pup, leaping into my arms the second I returned from school."

Twig licked Hilda's cheek affectionately.

"What am I gonna do with you, boy." She thought, "So many accidents. Everyday it's getting worse and mum's getting frustrated."

"Hilda, are you ready?" Johanna asked from outside the room, freeing Hilda from her thoughts.

"Yes, mum." Hilda replied, "Just stay here, boy. I'll be back soon."

Hilda took a deep breath and left her bedroom to join her mother, who was patiently waiting on the couch for her. The mess Twig had accidentally made was cleaned up, but Johanna still looked dismayed.

"Sit, Hilda." Johanna said flatly.

Without a word, Hilda sat down on the couch next to her.

"What's going on?" Hilda asked.

With a deep sigh, Johanna's anger subsided. She now looked very sad.

"Mum, what's wrong?" Hilda asked again.

"Hilda…" Johanna started, "You've taken care of Twig for over five years. You've been such an angel to him and I know you two are close."

Hilda watched her mother intently. She had a sick feeling where this conversation was gonna go.

"Fact of the matter is: Twig is an adult now, and animals his age and size don't belong indoors, let alone in the city."

"W-what are you saying?" Hilda muttered.

"What I'm saying is…and it pains me to tell you this…it's time to return Twig to the wilderness."

Hilda's eyes widened and her heart dropped into her stomach. Speechless, she stood up from the couch and turned away from her mother, slowly approaching the window and gazing out a Trolberg while gently twisting and stroking her long blue hair ambivalently.

"Hilda, I know it hurts…" Johanna cooed, "But it's for the best. Twig belongs out there with his own kind."

Hilda remained quiet.

"You knew this day was coming." Johanna sternly added, "It was inevitable."

Silence.

"Hilda, say something." Johanna said.

Still silence.

"Hilda, I'm talking to you."

She stood up and marched toward her daughter, just as she was about to place her hand on Hilda's shoulder, the teenager turned to Johanna. Her eyes were glistening and warm tears were rushing down her cheeks. Johanna gasped at the sight of her daughter's anguish.

"I…I need...I need some space." Hilda sobbed before racing out the front door, slamming it closed.

Johanna opened her mouth, about to call after Hilda, but stopped herself. She agreed that her daughter needs some time to herself. This was big news for her, too much for her to handle all of a sudden. With a sigh, Johanna entered the kitchen and started heating up the tea kettle.

"She's a strong, smart girl." Johanna calmly said to herself, "She'll come to terms with it soon enough."

Back in Hilda's room, Twig peered out the window and saw his owner and best friend sprinting away from the apartment through Trolberg's streets, obviously in distress. Twig barked inconsolably for her to come back, but it was no use. Hilda disappeared around the block.


Chapter 2 available now!