Author's Note: Well, if there were any of you expecting more of Jim, well I
decided to "save THE BEST for last." Besides, Jim is a Hero in this story.
A promise I make here and now: the relationship shall not be talkative,
fluffy or soapy in any way. It's, well, you'll just have to read it for
yourself. Please review when you have finished reading.
Bethany slowly began to arise from her state of sleep. While her eyes remained closed, her ears began to hear things she'd never before even heard from far away: birds twittering, chirping, whistling and calling; some unknown animal making a small, harsh barking sound; a soft wind blowing in a soothing, gentle sound. And she could pick up another sound: running water that sounded like a brook, creek or stream! Oh, was this just another dream of hers? Was her mind playing tricks on her? Was she setting herself up for loss and heartache? There was only one way to be sure; she struggled with her eyes and slowly began to lift them. But almost immedietely, she sensed an overwhelming light and shut them again. Taking a deep breath, she tried again—more slowly this time. Finally, after several minutes, she was able to open her eyelids fully and see what was around her. Right above her head was an immense canopy of evergreen branches and needles swaying with the music of the soft windy breeze flowing through the forest. Bethany turned her head to her right side and saw thin, tiny blades of light green grass just sparkling with pristine dewdrops—nature's choice jewels that no diamond, emerald or sapphire could compare to. Turning to her left side, she saw more equally-lovely grass beds and beyond them was a patch of yellow, blue, pink and violet flowers! Oh, what a sight like nothing else! This was no dream—this was the land she had seen only once before from afar, and now here she was right among beauty that was clean, pure, unspoiled, fresh and rich in substance and color. At last, she could now breathe deeply and happily for she was truly alive!
But then she wondered: How did I get here? And where is the person that I last saw? Using all of her strength, she moved her arms back and pushed up with her hands. But as she did, a slight wave of dizziness fleeted through her brain. She closed her eyes as the numbness began to subside. Finally, she opened her eyelids again and looked around her. Lying next to a tree about an arms length away from her was a big, black bag with several firearms leaning against the tree itself. And on the ground beside the bag was an odd-looking, flat object that appeared to be formed of wood with a big, metallic cylinder on the blunt back end of it. Bethany supposed that it was a method of transportation. She looked at herself and realized that she was covered with a thick brown blanket and that she was on a thicker, cozier and cushier bed of fragrant pine needles. She wondered who might have done this for her.
All of a sudden, her heart jumped for she had heard a sharp snappping noise! She quickly looked all around as her mind tried to think of what might be nearby. Then came the sound of what sounded like footsteps on the ground. Beth looked in the direction where the sounds were approaching from. Her heart jumped again when a figure stepped out from behind a stand of bushes and trees. She pulled her hands into her chest and began to tremble in fear. But the shape just came towards her until she could make out the who it was as he came to her and stood still a few feet away.
"Oh, Uhhh—Hey ," Jim said as he saw the girl he had rescued was awake and sitting up with fear in her soft, child-like face. "It's okay, I'm a friend." He lowered his small brown shoulder bag to the ground and slowly came closer. "I'm here to help you; don't be afraid, I'm not going to hurt you."
Bethany relaxed just a little upon hearing those words that sounded familiar. Then, she noticed the young man's wide, tender blue eyes, his straight, dark brown hair and his small, gentle expression in his lips and she instantly remembered him as the one who saved her from the terrible, drunken Keasarge Flint. She lowered her hands and gazed on him with awe and wonderment in her wide-eyed expression. This was the very first human she had ever met or seen beside herself. She had heard Mr. Skept describe what males and females of all ages were like and looked like. But seeing one was like nothing else! And if this-this...man or boy was what others looked like, then she was even more determined to find out about him!
Jim just smiled even though his eyes still appeared big to the girl in front of him. He stopped and kneeled down so that he was closer to her and she could see him better. He felt slightly embarrassed; while many young girls that were his age had expressed interest in him, he had never seen any study him with such wide- eyed fascination. Clearing his throat, he looked back at her again and said, "Can you...understand me, you know, do you speak?" The girl snapped out of her trance, looked down for a few moments and then turned her attention abck to Jim. "...Yes, I can...are...you...a human, like I am?" Jim smiled tenderly and nodded. "Yeah, I'm a human, too. Do you have name?" She was silent again for a little while. "I'm...well, nobody calls be by my real name...but...my old friend, Mr. Skept, used to tell me my name was...Bethany." She looked up at him to see if he would believe her. "Bethany, that's a very nice name for you. It sounds very pretty. But you're even more beautiful." Jim smiled with a microscopic grin that showed only a hint of his white teeth. Bethany smiled back through her small tears that she tried to sniff back but couldn't. Jim just gave her a compassionate look and put out his right hand to her cheek. Bethany was surprised by this and tried to draw back. But Jim reached furthur and said, "Shhh, it's okay, Beth, I won't hurt you, I swear. It's alright; I'm your friend." His hand finally touched her cheek and lifted up the briney water. He did so on the other side and then moved his hand under her chin. Her defenses torn down by such gestures she had never been shown, she grasped his hand between hers and held on. She turned her head so that she could feel his warm, soothing touch all over her face. Her tears fell with ease now and she turned her face up to look at Jim again. Beth suddenly remembered what she had done last before falling asleep and slowly held out her arms towards Jim. Seeing this and understanding, Jim opened his too and she fell into his loving embrace once again. There, she once again sobbed out all the loneliness, grief, hurt and sorrow that she had carried from her childhood. All the years had built up to this moment where all was good and right, but she could only cry out her wounds upon her savior's chest where she could feel his warmth and listen to his mighty heart beating inside. It was the most beautiful and captivating sound that she had ever heard. At this moment, she wanted nothing to change; she wanted to stay here forever with this boy or man and never, ever let go of him.
But after a few minuts that seeme like hours to them both, Bethany let go and wiped her eyes. "You-haven't-told me your...name yet." She smiled and folded her hands on her lap. "Jim. It's Jim. Although, if my mother is really upset with me,she'll call me by my full name: James Pleaides Hawkins." Jim shrugged and lowered his head. "I think that it's a beautiful name." answered Beth. "Beautiful?", asked Jim looking up. She giggled happily as her eyes sparkled. Jim was awed and amazed by this young girl who could transform so quckly from heart-rending tears to laughter and happiness. They both looked at each other in what was becoming a predictable "staring contest". But then, Jim turned around and pulled over his brown bag. "Hey, uh, you want something to eat? I went and found some fruit and vegetables that are edible." Bethany had totally forgot about her breakfast that she usually partook of about this time of day. "Yes, I'm famished," she confessed. Jim gave her a peach, three plums, two apples and a handful of ripe strawberries. Beth was so delighted! Never had food tasted so fresh, so sweet, so juicy and so good! She was finished quickly and wiped her mouth with her hand. "Want some water?" asked Jim. "Yes, I do, thank-you. But,uh, Jim?" "Yeah?" he said as he turned to face her again. "Can you bring me...to the water, I mean—I want to drink...on my own. And I want to see where the sound of it is coming from." "Yeah sure.", answered Jim rising to his feet. "Here, grab a hold of my arms." She did and he lifted her up easily and gently. He held on so she could steady herself and take a few small steps to be sure. When Beth's legs were fine again, they together walked slowly towards the sound of the water running free and abundant.
Bethany slowly began to arise from her state of sleep. While her eyes remained closed, her ears began to hear things she'd never before even heard from far away: birds twittering, chirping, whistling and calling; some unknown animal making a small, harsh barking sound; a soft wind blowing in a soothing, gentle sound. And she could pick up another sound: running water that sounded like a brook, creek or stream! Oh, was this just another dream of hers? Was her mind playing tricks on her? Was she setting herself up for loss and heartache? There was only one way to be sure; she struggled with her eyes and slowly began to lift them. But almost immedietely, she sensed an overwhelming light and shut them again. Taking a deep breath, she tried again—more slowly this time. Finally, after several minutes, she was able to open her eyelids fully and see what was around her. Right above her head was an immense canopy of evergreen branches and needles swaying with the music of the soft windy breeze flowing through the forest. Bethany turned her head to her right side and saw thin, tiny blades of light green grass just sparkling with pristine dewdrops—nature's choice jewels that no diamond, emerald or sapphire could compare to. Turning to her left side, she saw more equally-lovely grass beds and beyond them was a patch of yellow, blue, pink and violet flowers! Oh, what a sight like nothing else! This was no dream—this was the land she had seen only once before from afar, and now here she was right among beauty that was clean, pure, unspoiled, fresh and rich in substance and color. At last, she could now breathe deeply and happily for she was truly alive!
But then she wondered: How did I get here? And where is the person that I last saw? Using all of her strength, she moved her arms back and pushed up with her hands. But as she did, a slight wave of dizziness fleeted through her brain. She closed her eyes as the numbness began to subside. Finally, she opened her eyelids again and looked around her. Lying next to a tree about an arms length away from her was a big, black bag with several firearms leaning against the tree itself. And on the ground beside the bag was an odd-looking, flat object that appeared to be formed of wood with a big, metallic cylinder on the blunt back end of it. Bethany supposed that it was a method of transportation. She looked at herself and realized that she was covered with a thick brown blanket and that she was on a thicker, cozier and cushier bed of fragrant pine needles. She wondered who might have done this for her.
All of a sudden, her heart jumped for she had heard a sharp snappping noise! She quickly looked all around as her mind tried to think of what might be nearby. Then came the sound of what sounded like footsteps on the ground. Beth looked in the direction where the sounds were approaching from. Her heart jumped again when a figure stepped out from behind a stand of bushes and trees. She pulled her hands into her chest and began to tremble in fear. But the shape just came towards her until she could make out the who it was as he came to her and stood still a few feet away.
"Oh, Uhhh—Hey ," Jim said as he saw the girl he had rescued was awake and sitting up with fear in her soft, child-like face. "It's okay, I'm a friend." He lowered his small brown shoulder bag to the ground and slowly came closer. "I'm here to help you; don't be afraid, I'm not going to hurt you."
Bethany relaxed just a little upon hearing those words that sounded familiar. Then, she noticed the young man's wide, tender blue eyes, his straight, dark brown hair and his small, gentle expression in his lips and she instantly remembered him as the one who saved her from the terrible, drunken Keasarge Flint. She lowered her hands and gazed on him with awe and wonderment in her wide-eyed expression. This was the very first human she had ever met or seen beside herself. She had heard Mr. Skept describe what males and females of all ages were like and looked like. But seeing one was like nothing else! And if this-this...man or boy was what others looked like, then she was even more determined to find out about him!
Jim just smiled even though his eyes still appeared big to the girl in front of him. He stopped and kneeled down so that he was closer to her and she could see him better. He felt slightly embarrassed; while many young girls that were his age had expressed interest in him, he had never seen any study him with such wide- eyed fascination. Clearing his throat, he looked back at her again and said, "Can you...understand me, you know, do you speak?" The girl snapped out of her trance, looked down for a few moments and then turned her attention abck to Jim. "...Yes, I can...are...you...a human, like I am?" Jim smiled tenderly and nodded. "Yeah, I'm a human, too. Do you have name?" She was silent again for a little while. "I'm...well, nobody calls be by my real name...but...my old friend, Mr. Skept, used to tell me my name was...Bethany." She looked up at him to see if he would believe her. "Bethany, that's a very nice name for you. It sounds very pretty. But you're even more beautiful." Jim smiled with a microscopic grin that showed only a hint of his white teeth. Bethany smiled back through her small tears that she tried to sniff back but couldn't. Jim just gave her a compassionate look and put out his right hand to her cheek. Bethany was surprised by this and tried to draw back. But Jim reached furthur and said, "Shhh, it's okay, Beth, I won't hurt you, I swear. It's alright; I'm your friend." His hand finally touched her cheek and lifted up the briney water. He did so on the other side and then moved his hand under her chin. Her defenses torn down by such gestures she had never been shown, she grasped his hand between hers and held on. She turned her head so that she could feel his warm, soothing touch all over her face. Her tears fell with ease now and she turned her face up to look at Jim again. Beth suddenly remembered what she had done last before falling asleep and slowly held out her arms towards Jim. Seeing this and understanding, Jim opened his too and she fell into his loving embrace once again. There, she once again sobbed out all the loneliness, grief, hurt and sorrow that she had carried from her childhood. All the years had built up to this moment where all was good and right, but she could only cry out her wounds upon her savior's chest where she could feel his warmth and listen to his mighty heart beating inside. It was the most beautiful and captivating sound that she had ever heard. At this moment, she wanted nothing to change; she wanted to stay here forever with this boy or man and never, ever let go of him.
But after a few minuts that seeme like hours to them both, Bethany let go and wiped her eyes. "You-haven't-told me your...name yet." She smiled and folded her hands on her lap. "Jim. It's Jim. Although, if my mother is really upset with me,she'll call me by my full name: James Pleaides Hawkins." Jim shrugged and lowered his head. "I think that it's a beautiful name." answered Beth. "Beautiful?", asked Jim looking up. She giggled happily as her eyes sparkled. Jim was awed and amazed by this young girl who could transform so quckly from heart-rending tears to laughter and happiness. They both looked at each other in what was becoming a predictable "staring contest". But then, Jim turned around and pulled over his brown bag. "Hey, uh, you want something to eat? I went and found some fruit and vegetables that are edible." Bethany had totally forgot about her breakfast that she usually partook of about this time of day. "Yes, I'm famished," she confessed. Jim gave her a peach, three plums, two apples and a handful of ripe strawberries. Beth was so delighted! Never had food tasted so fresh, so sweet, so juicy and so good! She was finished quickly and wiped her mouth with her hand. "Want some water?" asked Jim. "Yes, I do, thank-you. But,uh, Jim?" "Yeah?" he said as he turned to face her again. "Can you bring me...to the water, I mean—I want to drink...on my own. And I want to see where the sound of it is coming from." "Yeah sure.", answered Jim rising to his feet. "Here, grab a hold of my arms." She did and he lifted her up easily and gently. He held on so she could steady herself and take a few small steps to be sure. When Beth's legs were fine again, they together walked slowly towards the sound of the water running free and abundant.