The Wood Chapter 3

Chapter 3~

For the past ten years, Cossette has been scaling the City’s wall to go to the Wood’s oldest oak to visit her dearest friend. Quitterfin hasn’t always lived in the Wood though. He began a very normal life with his parents, until the Dark Days. Those began with the death of his mother, when he was just a baby. Fin’s memory is outstanding. One day he was starring up into his mother’s peaceful green eyes and then it was brown, cold, pained ones the next. The contrast was strong enough to imprint itself in a young two year olds mind.  

His understanding has also always been ahead of its time. Quickly he realized his mother was the one that kept Quilyne accepted in the City. Quil would take Quitter to the Wood for weeks on end to study roots and enjoy nature. He did not depend on the Society’s doctors or fresh food supplies. Quil also did not agree with the politics and controlling demeanor of the Elders. With Quitter’s mother gone the fake acceptance that Quil and his son had received dissipated immediately. Quilyne’s wild ideas and head strong will lead to him getting expelled from the City.  

 The society has always strove to be a Utopia, and to expel any ideas that didn’t line up to the Elders perspective. Any person with vocal “wrong” ideas was given two warnings, then sent away to the Tower. The Tower is a tall building with one door that only opens from the outside. It’s about a half a day’s walk from the Wall in the opposite direction of the Wood. It’s heavily guarded with men who live in cabins surrounding it who provide basic human needs to the prisoners locked up inside.

Fin was just three on that Dark Day when he saw his father, “Crazy Quil” riding in a rickety old wagon, hands and feet bound. Quil had held his head high and reminded his son that he would always love him. An old woman took Quitter in, but at the tender age of eight he ran away to his father’s Wood.

Cos had literally stumbled over young Quitterfin, living like a Lost Boy sleeping under a tree. A young seven year old girl can’t keep the secret of a strange boy living in the feared woods for long. The fold accepted Quitter back in, blaming his wild up bringing to his bizarre antics. But after five years, Cos and Quitter made a pack. She provided basic needs for him and he taught her how to love the mysterious Wood and live off the land.

The oak, where Cos had first tripped over Quitter had become their secret spot. Together Quitter showed Cos a world beyond her imagination. It was in those adventures that Quitter fell deeply in love with the innocent, hope-filled young maiden. Watching her grow from a quirky preteen to a strong-minded 22 year old woman was astounding. An unexplainable and undeniable love that he had just began to act on.

The first time Quitter had invited Cos to the Wood, he had walked a well-worn path with his arm around her shoulders, keeping the cool night air away. By the third rendezvous, the two held hands and spoke about their dreams. This night is their fifth “date”.

“Fin? I can’t stay long… where are you?”

A distant voice called to her through the trees. “Right over here, by the creek.”

Glancing to her right she sees his strong masculine form in the moonlight and briskly walks toward his welcoming shape.

“Remember when we found the Lot Boys? It’s almost been a year now. Right over there by the boulder.” He stretches his arm to the left to point in the direction of the large rock. Cos ducks under it and tucks herself against his side.

“Calla came out first, and tripped right in to my arms. I lost my heart to his sweet chubby face right then!” A warm smile light up her face as the moon casts strange shadows over her small nose and rosy cheeks.

“Your idea to not tell the Society about them was right, Cos. Now with them behind those walls someone will see and report them… please come live in the forest with us!  I could build a cabin for them, for you…” he glances away, a little embarrassed but trying to sway her.

“The city knows I visit here. They monitor me very closely. I’m on lists! They expect me to abandon the school and run away to the woods. I can’t do that to the kids I’ve taught for years.”

“So you’re going to sacrifice me, for the bratty kids being raised in that brainwashing jail? How long did you think you could visit and not actually commit to something?” He pulls himself away from her touch.

“Fin, please stop!”

“For all you know the police will repossess the boys and take them away too. It would kill me if I was forced to abandon them like I was abandoned”

“Quitter, the City wouldn’t make those young boys field workers! Or send them to the Tower. Yes the Society is ridicules sometimes but not cruel!”

“Oh? Is that so? And sending a broken hearted man away to the Tower forcing his son to raise himself and care for a deranged old lady wasn’t cruel? That wasn’t cruel at all, what was I thinking!” His voice is saturated with sarcasm and his eyes daggers.

“I’m not going to talk to a brick wall Fin, calm down. I’ve got ears in high places; if I hear something is up I’ll walk the boys back to the cave. There’s no reason to stir up unnecessary worries.”  Frustration wells in her heart, she walks forward to the edge of the creek, turning her back to him.
“Cos…” His voice softens and he walks a step to her. “I’m sorry, I can’t trust the City. Maybe they have changed but I won’t trust in that. If you hear anything at all, please just grab the boys and bring them back to the cave.” Touching her arm, her body tenses.

“Of course.”
Peeking around her shoulder and putting his face close to hers he whispers, “Pinky promise?” His pirate grin dances across his face. She breaks, and a smile twitches at the corners of her mouth. Raising her hand up in a fist with her pinky up she wraps her finger around his which was waiting for her. She giggles at the old habit.

Slipping his other arm around her waist he twirls her to face him and tugs her close. His chin tucking her head close to his chest. His other hand gently g rubs the small of her back, which is finally not toward him anymore. Lifting her chin up with his thumb he gazes down into those much too trusting eyes.

“I like fighting with you, seeing your fiery side keeps things interesting.” The pirate smile is dancing again. He places a sweet kiss on her forehead and Cos’s cheeks redden slightly as her smile broadens.

“It’s…. it’s getting late. I should probably go home”

“Yeah… I guess you right.” Fin loosens his hold around his Heart and watches her slip out of his arms.

“Good night Fin.”

“Night Cos.”