Walking into Michael’s Joes with Jes. We begin to plan are trip through the creek. We planned that we would start at the far side and move along the ridge to the cliff then head back the way we came. The usual route. We walked back outside got on our bikes and were off.

The creek was as beautiful as it always is. Beauty is a disguise. That is used to often. But we were prepared with my dads army knife and Jes’s brothers pellet gun. Still it is dangerous. But the beauty is worth it.

The walk seemed longer than before as if the wilderness was waiting. To strike.

That is when we heard the snapping of the branches and a roar of war as a bear came charging into view. With black boulder fur and sea blue eyes it begin to charge. Jes quickly  climbed a tree. It didn’t want her though,  it wanted me.

I started to run. Fool, you can’t outrun a bear. It was gaining ground as it crashed through bushes and small trees. I weaved in and out hoping that it crashed into something that would lead to its death.

I begin to lose my bearings. As it gained ground. My legs burned as it gained even more ground. Now I was lost every tree seemed hostile and on the edge of attack.

Then I heard a roar of extraordinary pain. I turned to see the monster on the ground. Standing over it was a strange figure enveloped in the shadows. I could barely make it out. I could only make out it’s blue eyes shining like headlights on a dark night. The sounds of nature played their symphony. I turned and ran off, within the shadows.

What was that thing? Where did it come from? Where did it go? All these new questions. Jes came running from a random bush amongst the brush. Her face all red and puffy.

“Jewels are you ok?” Asked Jes. Her voice was scratchy and hoarse. How far did I run?

“Are you?” I asked. Avoiding the question.

“Let's go home.” she said in a scratchy voice.

“Ok.” I said. I really wanted to go home. I wanted this to be over.

Home finally with mom again in her loving arms sitting on the couch. Wishing I could forget all the troubles of the day. She handed me a cup of tea. It just set in my hand. Only if my mom knew she might be able to give me answers or would their be more questions.

“What's wrong honey?” she said. A question that I wasn’t hoping to hear.

“Nothing.”  I said. She knew I lied.

“Tell me what's wrong.” she said with a stern tone in her voice.

“If I told you, you wouldn't believe me.” I said.

“Try me.” she said with a hint of concern

“No!” I said. Leave me alone.

“Tell me.” she said like she was in a mine field.

“No!!” I said. Why won't she leave me alone?

“Calm down jewels!” she said. Her voice was as smooth as silk.

“You wouldn’t understand!” I screamed with my face lined with tears. I ran to my room as my mother called for me back but I was gone in another world. One of dreams and terrors. Monsters and heroes, and magic.

Lying there in a puddle of tears and blankets I seen it. It was their in a tree. I could barely make it out. It must have followed me home from the forest. I threw my head under the covers. Why doesn’t it leave me alone? It has already caused enough trouble. This has to end. I through the covers of me and darted down the stairs. Not looking to see if it was still their. Through the living room not seeing my mother. She must have gone to bed. I didn’t hear the door slam though. I can’t let this distract me from my goal. My goal to end this.

I was outside. I had to keep a low profile as I walked to the house where the tree was. I climbed the fence. And their it was the tree. It was no longer perched in the tree.
“Hello” said a voice behind me. My body jerked around to see. It was the figure in the woods and the one I saw in the tree. It had beautifuly deep blues eyes. It was wearing a black hoodie and black pants and gloves and a strange belt. It was avoiding looking me in the eyes. Afraid to show me it’s true appearance.

“What are you?”I said. It felt rude to ask it but i needed to know.

“A shadowen.” He said. In a quiet voice that one could mistaken for the wind. He turned and saw it’s face for the first time.

I could not see his skin that lay underneath its fur. His nose was flat. His ears were pointed and at the top of its head. The belt was his tail. His eyes glowed like two small moons. He took of his gloves to show his paws. Why would he trust me with his true appearance?

“I know that you have many more questions, but we must go.”He said in a voice that sound as smooth as silk. He grabbed my hand and moved toward the gate.

“What.”The words just slipped out of my mouth. He turned to me.

“Yes.” He said his voice still flowing.

What should I say?

“At least tell me your name.” I said. It was the only thing I could think of.

“Ckhe Yshb.”He said as if that was a normal name.

“Aren’t you afraid to be seen?”I said. How he was going to hide his appearance?

“Be seen by who?”He said in a playful tone.

“The people on the street.”I said. What is he talking about this is a city block? Their would be people everywhere.

“Look.”He said as he pulled me past the gate and to the streets. They were empty. Not a single person in sight.

“Were alone” He said. Still holding onto my hand.

“Where did they go?”I asked still trying to peace things together.
“You mean where did we go.” He said. He was looking down at me and I was looking up at him. What does he mean we are somewhere else we haven’t left this block or have we?