Navigating through the hollow forest sticks cracked and leaves rustled beneath my every step.
Fatigue was eating away at my body and the growing humidity only made it worse. I could feel my strength leaving me with each bush I picked dry.
Kneeling over another berry bush I carefully plucked off a handful of blackberries, throwing out the bad, and keeping the good placing them in the straw-woven basket sitting to my side.
While shifting bushes around searching for more berries thorns clawed at my fingertips—one leaving a small crimson stream charging down my palm. Letting out an exasperated sigh I licked the blood off my hand—sucking on the puncture.
I looked to the sky as the sun was beginning to set. It was time to return home.
Pushing myself back up, shaking my legs that began to fall asleep, I hefted the berry-filled basket and returned to the forest path.
A moment of peace went by as I was able to take in the surrounding lush forest—a very short moment as Runi slowly came into view.
She cheerfully skipped down the forest path—her hair bouncing left to right with every hop. "Hey Simon!"
Her smile suddenly dropped. "Don't tell me you went deep into the forest again, Ms. Valeria said it was dangerous!"
Just barely hearing her voice muffled by the trees I rolled my eyes and waved over to her. "Don't worry, I didn't cross the big oak tree!" I reassured.
She pouted, sassily putting her hands on her hips. "But you went near it didn't you, you're such a handful. Come on the rest are waiting for us."
I've known Runi for as long as I can remember. We basically grew up together.
She's pretty short with long velvety brown hair that was tied into a ponytail today. Her big radiant amber eyes gleamed in the distance and perfectly complemented her caramel tinted skin.
Even though she's a year younger than me she treats me like I'm the younger one. I don't remember much about my past but some of my earliest memories involve her.
Runi sprung onto my back as we continued home. I let out a deep breath while poking her forehead. "Hey, it's already too hot to wear a shirt and now I have you on my back?"
Leaping off of me Runi stuck her tongue out and crossed her arms. "Well maybe if you weren't so tall you wouldn't be so close to the sun." She teased.
I'm decently tall and lanky for my age, standing 6 feet tall at 15. I don't know my real parents but I can only assume they had to be giants to make someone like me.
My pale skin burned in the harsh sunlight which also gave my untamed black hair a brown hue. My frail arms began to slightly droop holding the hefty fruit basket.
As Runi and I hiked down the uneven path our humble home soon came into view—a sizable cabin standing 2 stories tall accompanied with a vast backyard.
Runi slowly turned to me as a mischievous smile creeped upon her face. She swiftly planted her foot into the ground. "Last one to the door has to clean the berries?"
I smirked rooting my foot next to hers. "You never learn do you, you're on." As I counted down from 3 Runi clearly took off at 2 gaining distance as she sprinted ahead. Ignoring her blatant cheating I pressed my foot deeper into the ground as I dashed to catch up.
**
"Looks like I beat you again Runi." I quipped, catching my breath shooting her a cheeky smile.
Runi slightly bent over putting her hands on her knees as she attempted to catch her breath. "You always beat me, it's not fair." A faint pout forming on her face.
Wiping the sweat off my forehead I opened the front door. "We're back!" Runi blissfully called out as I trudged inside.
I've been living here in the cabin as long as I can remember. Just the sweet pastry scent coming from the inside would soothe my nerves.
Stepping into the kitchen I gently placed my basket on the counter relieved to not be holding it anymore—my hands still beaming red from the heavy weight.
"Where is Ms. Valeria? She's usually in the living room." Runi mentioned scanning the cabin, soon making her way through the backdoor still in search.
I was finally able to relax. Throwing myself into the couch I could feel the pain in my muscles dwindle as I took in my familiar setting.
I stared at the large painting on the wall in front of me. I didn't know what the painting was but it looked like a fierce battle of fire vs ice captured at its climax.
The cozy fireplace below shined brightly as the embers would snap and pop from time to time. Lowering my gaze I glanced at the fuzzy burgundy carpet that stretched along the majority of the living room floor.
To my left was an old dusty bookshelf standing tall next to the backdoor. Directly to my right was the wooden table and chairs everyone ate at—all 9 seats perfectly tucked into the table.
Opposite to the table was the kitchen. Cabinets lined the wall as my basket sat still on the counter. An island was placed in the center of the kitchen floor with the hallway entrance separating the fireplace and kitchen.
After hearing some muffled chatter Runi popped her head back indoors. "Could you gather everyone? Ms Valeria says dinner is soon."
Nodding my head in agreement I pushed myself off the couch and began heading down the hallway. The first room in the hall is the bedroom. Everyone in the cabin except Ms. Valeria sleeps there.
It's a long room with beds lined up on both sides for us to sleep on. Everyone has their own closet to the side of their bed.
The only real downside is there's little to no privacy, but I like to think that's what made us grow closer over the years.
I opened the door to see Dahlia sitting on her bed—her legs crossed as she read one of the many books that occupied the bookshelf.
Dahlia is taller than everyone in the cabin besides me. Her short black hair, similar to mine, stopped at her smooth apricot toned shoulders.
Even though we're the same age she's like an older sister to me. She's also the most mature but sometimes she can be a bit too endearing.
Sliding a bookmark into her book she set it aside—her pretty hazel eyes locking onto mine. "Finally back from gathering berries?"
Fully walking into the bedroom I raised my leg in the air pointing to some small cuts I got from sharp branches and thorns. "Yeah but the forest just couldn't let me leave whole." I joked, foolishly frowning at her.
Dahlia let out a light chuckle as she got up and walked closer to me—kneeling down to grab my leg.
Looking up at me with a concerned face she gave me a disapproving head tilt. "Wow you weren't lying, you got cut up pretty good."
I awkwardly laughed at her comment. "Come on I was joking I'm fine, the forest would need way more than some thorns to take me down."
Dahlia lightly placed my leg down laughing between words. "What are you some type of superhero?" She taunted.
As she turned to go back to her bed I recalled why I was here in the first place. "Oh yeah, dinner is gonna be ready soon."
Dahlia put her hand on her cheek in a joking manner. "Aww you didn't come here just to talk to me?" She sniffled, hopping back on the bed
"Talk to you about what exactly." I mumbled with an intrigued voice.
"About Runi." Dahlia said in an alluring yet mocking tone.
Putting my hands in my pockets I began to leave the room. "I have no reason to talk to anyone about Runi." I heard Dahlia's faint giggles as I rushed to close the door.
Directly across from the bedroom is the bathroom. The door was closed so I knew someone was inside. I knocked on the door patiently waiting until I heard a dampened, yet soft voice from inside. "Yes?" It was Marcel.
I raised my voice—almost putting my lips to the wooden door. "Dinner will be ready soon so don't sit in there for too long."
The door creaked open forcing me to step back. "I was only washing my face." He muttered as he walked out of the bathroom.
His long black silky hair flowed as he stepped out. He vigorously shook his wet hands dry as water droplets soared from his smooth tan skin.
Looking up at me with his chestnut colored eyes Marcel cracked a quick smile. "Alright, I'll start preparing the table."
I leaned in to get a better look at his face. "Is that your daily routine?" I joked.
Shaking his head with disappointment Marcel began to walk into the living room. "It's called hygiene Simon, start washing your face daily. With soap."
"With soap, got it." I mumbled under my breath as I continued down the hall.
Marcel and I also share the same age but he has this odd protectiveness about him, couple that with his noble beliefs and mannerisms it makes sense why he's usually viewed to be older than what he really is.
The last door at the end of the hall was Ms. Valeria's room. Nobody was allowed inside.
Also at the end of the hall was another painting—this one a portrait of what seemed like a nun. It hangs above a nightstand holding a vase of purple calla lilies.
Opposite to Ms. Valeria's room was a spiral staircase leading to the second floor. I ascended the creaky stairs as I could make out a pair of voices in the distance.
As I made my way through the upstairs hallway picture frames of different people caught my eye, they always did. Some male, some female, maybe this was Ms. Valeria's family.
Entering the upstairs lounge there sat Luther and Cleo playing each other in cards. Luther sprung up from his seat. "HA, I WIN!" He shouted triumphantly.
Cleo frowned, playfully smacking the back of Luther's low cut head. His sharp blue eyes squinched from the sudden pain—Cleo leaving somewhat of a red handmark on Luther's pasty skin. "Hey idiot that hurt!"
Luther's innate cockiness leads him to outcomes like this often, it's probably because he's the oldest in the cabin—being one year older than Cleo and myself.
His frequent bragging over trivial matters or his weird sense of superiority gets him scolded regularly, but there's something about me specifically that kindles a special flame of aggravation inside him.
I suspect that he dislikes how close me and Dahlia are seeing as he has a not so secret crush on her. He even gets noticeably jealous when others get too close.
Luther looked over to me still joyous from his victory. He crossed his arms in confidence. "Did you also come up here to lose?"
I decided to stroke Luther's ego. Covering my face I looked down murmuring in a mocking tone. "Oh no, whatever will I do!"
Luther's sapphire-like eyes shot daggers at me. "What was that skinny bones?" He snarled.
Cleo let out a weary sigh interrupting our squabble. "Simon stop baiting Luther."
He stood up—running his rough hands through his short but polished snow white hair. "I need to take a piss."
Cleo began to walk off as his shirt came up a bit revealing a portion of his toned light brown body.
I could make out a piece of a scar on his side.
Before Cleo could reach the stairs I shouted loud enough for him to hear. "Dinner is gonna be ready soon so don't take too long." He glanced back in my direction giving me a thumbs up—his jade green eyes visible even from here.
"I guess I'll start preparing the table." Luther said with a reluctant whine. I gave him a brazen smile. "Looks like Marcel already beat you to it."
He ignored me as he went downstairs. I started to head downstairs as well but something caught my attention, it was my paintbrush and canvas sitting in the far right corner of the room.
Drifting towards my painting kit a voice from downstairs called my name—tearing my gaze away from my brush.
I followed the voice as it swiftly came into range. I believe it was Runi's. "We're setting the plates, hurry down!"
Loud creaks shrieked once again as I made my way downstairs. the smell of food roamed through the first floor—my stomach beginning to slightly grumble after catching a whiff.
Upon getting to the kitchen everyone was already gathered at the table—the spicy aroma of curry becoming more prominent as I took my seat.
"What's up Simon?" Jackson said as he grinned cheerfully.
I placed my hand on his head—his durag covering his frizzy black cornrows. "Where were you hiding?" I questioned.
Jackson is the youngest in the cabin at 11 years old. The outside light reflected off of his dark skin as his silverish eyes dazzled in admiration. "Ms. Valeria was reading me a book outside!"
Speaking of Ms. Valeria I looked around but didn't see her.
Just then Ms. Valeria walked in from the backdoor loudly clapping her old wrinkled hands.
"After dinner I have a special book I want to share with everyone since y'all aren't snot nosed gremlins anymore." Ms. Valeria cackled at her own joke as she slowly made her way to the table lightly limping with every step.
Nobody truly knows how old Ms. Valeria is but apparently grey hairs consumed her head long before I got here.
The way she talks—how quickly she snatches everyone's attention—it's truly commendable. She has helped out everyone here in more ways than we can even imagine.
The front door slowly creaked open with Alex popping his head into the cabin before fully walking in.
Out of everyone living in the cabin Alex is the one I talk with least, all I really know is that he's the grandchild of Ms. Valeria and he is one year younger than me.
I also quickly learned that he has severe narcolepsy. He tends to randomly doze off multiple times within the day.
Alex spoke with a quiet voice. "I went out for a walk earlier, sorry I'm late."
He was always so mysterious but I didn't bother him if he didn't interact with me first.
Ms. Valeria chuckled as she slowly reached for her glass. "Now it looks like everyone is here." she snickered.
With the table set and food ready dinner had finally begun. Everyone was eating, laughing, and arguing. I may not know my direct origin but I would rather be here than anywhere else.
**
Finishing his plate Jackson leaped out of his chair. "Can you read us that book now Ms. Valeria!"
She nodded in agreement. "Yes we can darling." She proceeded to limp to the bookshelf in the living room grabbing an old thick book from the very top shelf.
Ms. Valeria waved her hands in the air. "Gather around everyone!"
All of us found comfy spots on the couch or floor as Ms. Valeria was about to begin her reading. All of us except one, Alex, who had dozed off after dinner succumbing to his narcolepsy.
Dahlia glanced over to the sleeping Alex—concern dripping from her face. "Should I wake him up? This is an important book yes?"
Ms. Valeria shook her head in disagreement. "No it's fine, let him sleep."
Marcel carefully slipped his arms under the sleeping Alex picking him up and laying him on the couch, replacing his own spot, while draping a cover over him as he slept.
It was now time for Ms. Valeria to begin this story she wanted to tell us.