The Story of Midnight

Chapter 2

"Older men declare war. But it is the youth that must fight and die."

― Herbert Hoover

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How the kid and I came to meet each other was pure chance.

I just happened to be strolling by on one of my many walks I liked to take around the forest. The sun was slowly descending almost hiding behind the trees, making abstract shadows on the ground from what I've been told by Dawn.

The sound of crying made its way to my keen ears. Cautiously, I got nearer to the source of the noise. Even before I got there I knew a little girl was whimpering; scared. I remember narrowing my eyes at the strange sight.

The girl heard the grass crunch as I neared her fragile frame.

I stopped a good distance from her so as not to scare her away or frighten her more than she already was.

She had waves of fear and desperation flowing about her.

"Did you get lost?" I asked in a neutral voice.

The girl hiccuped and scurried back at suddenly seeing a person come out of nowhere, especially one that wore a hood. She probably thought the worst when she laid her eyes on me.

The little girl hesitated then said in a small voice, "Y-yes."

My feline friend popped out from behind me, saying, "Then come with us, we can take you home."

I could tell her eyes widened at seeing a cat talk or maybe seeing one with two tails.

Dawn casually strolled over to her and purred as she rubbed her face on the girl's leg, earning that same giggle that I would later become so fond of.

With her confidence renewed, she wiped her tears away, stood up with Dawn on her arms and waited for me to lead the way.

I remember being surprised that the girl decided to trust us so quickly. What a mistake that was, that simple action...

I walked ahead not bothering to look back.

"Who are you, miss?"

"No one important," I said as I stuffed my hands into my pockets.

"Don't mind her; she's always like that," said Dawn, "so, what brought you out here, tiny one?"

"I just wanted to know why everyone was so scared of The Howling Woods."

"Now you know why they stay away. You shouldn't have come out here alone, silly."

The two continued to talk as I walked them through the maze of trees.

I didn't bother to listen to what they were conversing about.

Night fell as the woods started to be filled with the song of nocturnal animals. By the time that happened we were already out of the cluster of trees.

I stopped right where the line of trees didn't reach the village.

There was a search party getting ready to leave to look for her.

"You can go home from here, right?" I asked.

"Yup," she replied as she put Dawn on the ground.

She turned to face me.

"Will I ever see you again?" The girl asked in that innocent voice a young child has.

I simply shook my head, my hands still in my pockets.

Her gaze turned to Dawn as she knelt down for the cat to come to her. She scratched Dawn behind the ears and kissed her forehead.

"I will always remember you, Dawn," she stood up and looked at me; "you too, Silver."