The sunlight blinded Maeve as she strolled through the narrow path, footprints still noticeable form the event last night. The forest was alive, bright light filtered through the branches and leaves, trunks dark copper with speckles of moss. Birds’ songs filled the air with the chirps of the insects, twigs crunching under Maeve’s boots, Jean jacket covered her exposed shoulders from the light. With a fresh mind and a sandwich in hand, a food offering, she is ready to see the boy again.
If she knew where he was, that would be great.
Metal schilling caught Maeve’s attention, leading Maeve a slim path hidden near fallen trees. She stepped over the big trunk, carefully treading through long weeds, she say a clearing of the trees, leading to a bright area of dirt.
In the clearing, the boy sat on a large smooth rock, hunched forward with that horrible shrieking noise close. The fur cape covered his shoulders, mocha brown with brick red fur on the spine, long orange curly locks rested on his back, tied up with a ribbon. He seemed occupied with sharpening a blade, not noticing Maeve.
She swallowed, clearing her throat, the shrilling halted. The boy glanced behind him, Maeve picking at her nails and she stared down.
Maeve lifted the sandwich with trembling hands, “Here” she mumbled.
The boy slid off the stone, creeping closer to Maeve with the blade in hand. His head tilted to the side, thick eyebrows knitted together. He sniffed the sandwich, staring. Has he never say a sandwich before? Cold fingers wrapped around Maeve’s wrist, the boy leaning forward to sink his sharp fangs into the soft sandwich. He chewed slowly, licking his lips, downing the sandwich in large bites.
After the wrapper was left, the boy let go of her wrist, Maeve pulling back to discard the wrapper in the pocket of her jean jacket.
“There, hope you see me as friendly” Maeve nodded, wiping her hand on the fabric of her shorts, looking up to see the boy staring at her.
The boy grabbed Maeve’s free hand, pressing it to his painted chest, “Tatan’aki” he whispered, voice gravelly and low.