Seven

Chapter One

My hands shake as I stare at my father. How could he do this to me? My dear father, my best friend, leaving? And for how long? My lip quivers and a lump forms in my throat. I can't be left alone. I hate being alone.

"I'm sorry, Ana, we have no other choice." Father's voice is steady, but his face becomes blurry as my eyes well with tears.

"Anastasia, say goodbye to your father before he leaves. You don't know how long it will be before you see him again." Mother's words are stern, but her tone is soft. Like a ripple in water.

I hate that she said that to me. I know Father is leaving, I know I won't see him for a long time. But her saying it out loud makes a sob escape my mouth. I run to my father, shutting my eyes and wrapping my arms around his waist. My chest heaves as I cry, and I catch a few words Father says before he lets go.

"You're stronger than you know, Ana, I'll be home before long."

I look up at him, blinking away my last tears, and nod.

"But where are you going?" I ask quietly, my voice shaky.

"You see those mountains?" Father turns to the window, pointing at a group of mountains in the distance. "I'll be just behind them. And each morning you can watch the sun rise, for soon I will be traveling in the sun's light to make it home. I love you, now goodbye dear."

My heart aches as I watch Father leave. He walks slowly, in a straight line right toward those mountains. I can't bear to see him disappear as he gets further away, so I turn and begin to run. But I feel Mother's hands grabbing hold of my waist, saying words that I cannot hear over my own cries. She tries to comfort me, but it is no use. I flail my arms as I scream my throat raw, before breaking myself from her grip and running far into the forest.

***

Silence. Some describe its presence as comforting, like a warm embrace in the saddest moments. Like an escape from all the world's troubles and noise.

But now I can feel its cold hands wrapped around my throat as I struggle to breathe. My eyes shift from the forest bed beneath my feet to the myriad of evergreens around me, and I suddenly feel so small. I sit on the ground and hug my knees, and cry until my lungs can't take it anymore.

I'm lost, and I'm weak, and I feel so very alone. How could I be so foolish as to run into the forest, so upset that I didn't pay any mind as to where I was going? Now I have no sense of direction, and Mother probably doesn't even care that I'm gone. I might as well be dead.

"Um, pardon me, are you alright?" I feel a tap on my shoulder and I look up. A boy with messy brown hair and big brown eyes looks down at me, his voice soft and compassionate.

I swallow the lump in my throat and wipe the tears from my face, standing up.

"Yes, I'm fine." I say harshly, brushing the dirt from the back of my dress. The boy blinks, but if he is offended he does a good job at not showing it.

"I'm Maxwell. I can show you back to town, if you'd like. I know these woods like the back of my hand," He smiles sweetly, and I feel my frown disappear.

There is something about him, something that I can't quite put my finger on. He seems almost familiar, like we've known each other all our lives.

"I'm Ana. And yes, thank you, I would find that quite helpful," I can't help but smile back at him.

***