auto-meiser: Thanks for reading! I'll post another chapter tomorrow for you.
Disclaimer: Still don't own anything… o.O
Chapter 4
After I stared out of the window for the longest time, I finally managed to get a little sleep. But not enough. When I woke up, I was the only one awake. So, I rummaged though my clothes trunk and put on some layers, and went outside into the cold morning air.
Birds tweeted loudly, making me wonder how I slept at all, and my whole body ached. I walked slowly over to Fawn's hut, which she shared with Spirit and Bear.
Fawn's hut was more decorated then mine, as it was surrounded with flowers, and vines crept up the face of it. To me it looked welcoming, and safe, so that must have been why Brady loved being there so much.
As quietly as possible, I opened the floor and tipped toed in.
There were three beds inside. On one lay a large boy, only about 10, who was wearing a brown over coat and buckskin pants. His work boots were still on, suggesting he retired late last night after a long trek. He was snoring softly, and his arm dangled over the side of his bed.
The bed next to it held Fawn and Sprit. They were tangled together, with sheets and blankets rapped tightly around them. Fawn's fair pinkish baby face was covered with her sheet of black hair, and her arms were clutching Sprit tightly. She had a slight smile playing on her face, while she clutched her friend.
Spirit was also clutching the 17 year old by her side. Her mahogany hair draped over her pillow, and a little stream of drool was falling from her mouth.
And next to that, in the last and littlest bed, lay Brady. Her little eyes were closed tightly, and she was clutching her bunny tightly.
I walked over to her and ran my hand over her rosy and healthy cheek. Slowly her eyes fluttered open slowly and she smiled in delight when she saw me.
"Mama! Mama! Your back Mama" She exclaimed happily. Quickly she sat up, staring at me with her big big eyes.
"Yes, I'm back sweetie." I said quietly, trying to hold back tears that threatened to come. "Mommy's just about to take a little walk. Do you want to come"
Brady looked at me, her eyes smiling along with her face. "Yes Mama, I want to come."
Quickly she slipped out of bed, still fully clothed, and grabbed my hand tightly.
Brady and I quickly walked out of the hut, and walked over to the dead fire pit in the middle of camp.
"I'm hungry." Brady muttered. But quickly her hunger was forgotten when she spotted a large purple butterfly fluttering in a patch of grass near by. She ran to it, and began to frolic, chasing the butterfly.
I sighed and watched her innocents. It almost made me feel that yesterday had just been a nightmare and nothing more. For when I was back here, I was safe.
Brady kept running around in circles, and it distracted me from everything else, until I heard a loud rustling coming from behind me.
Quickly I grabbed onto Brady and clutched her, staring at where the rustling had came from. Lex hadn't followed me there had he? Oh that would be awful! He would destroy the one last place I had to feel safe! What would I do then? What would I...
The rustling stopped and I took a deep breath and let my daughter down. It was probably just a squirrel or something. Wow. I was a nervous wreck! I sighed and held my head. Would I ever recover from this?
Brady had gone back to frolicking, and I just watched, growing more and more interested with an idea to run away. But I thought about leaving my home and it made me want to die. Brady was safe here. Did I really want to leave all of this?
I didn't have much time to think. Moments later, Fawn walked out of her hut looking worried and sick. "Brady? Brady where are you" She called out, staring around quickly.
Right away I called out, so she wouldn't worry. She didn't need to be worried right now. That was my job.
"She's over here Fawn." I called out.
A look of relief came upon her face and she raced over to me. "Trudy your back" She exclaimed, flinging her arms around my neck." We thought you weren't coming back for a week"
I lightly hugged her back and forced a smile on my face. "Change of plans. Just couldn't stay away from my darling that long. " I looked over at Brady who was rolling around in a patch of mud.
"Oh, I don't blame you! She's a absolute angel" Fawn beamed, and walked over to Brady, pulling her out of the mud and trying to get it off her face. "This is great now you can take your turn of telling a story at the fire tonight."
I stared at her, and then looked at my feet quickly. "Actually I was thinking of leaving."
Fawn's eyes grew huge and her mouth opened agape. "But you love it here! And so does Brady why would you want to leave"
I thought hard about that. I already concluded I didn't want to leave so why was I saying this? After a while I started to speak again and it don't even seem like I was speaking what I said.
"I want to.. Maybe go to one of the smaller groups for a while. I need some quiet time. Brady will be fine with me, and we'll come back some day."
"But you can't leave." Fawn whimpered. "I'll miss you too much.
I sighed and took Brady from her, who was giggling. I put Brady down and told her to go to my hut and pack her suite case, and looked at Fawn.
"The truth is, I think I'm pregnant." I let a slow breath out. That was what had been on my mind for a while now, and now that I said it, I felt even more terrified.
Fawn's mouth formed an O of surprise. "But who would be the dad.."
I considered telling her really I did. But I just couldn't. "Please don't ask me right now. I'll tell you when I'm ready."
"Oh.. Alright.." Fawn looked a little disappointed. "Well I guess I'll see you again some time."
I watched Fawn walking away and felt remorse for her. She really liked Brady and I. I hated to leave her but it was for the best.
I walked to my hut and went inside, helped Brady gather her things, and collected my own, and started yet another journey… A journey to… Well I wasn't quite sure yet to what, but it was a journey I felt I had to take.
