Existing (under editing)

Chapter 2

I was dressed and ready for anything. With my big coat over my favourite floral white dress with the lace shouldered sleeves, making sure to zip it up and pull the strings tight around my wrists and thighs, tucking in my skirt, scared to get it dirty but it was the first thing I could grab to chuck on. My arm hair stood on end in the chill of the day but I had been in a panic to wake Pepper and leave.

We had planned to stay inside today but this development had been a surprise to me and Pepper. Even though some days we liked to play in the mess, today was just too cold. Pepper already sneezed enough on his own, let alone, us both catching a cold, and then who knows what would happen if the rabbits caught it too. We had planned to stay inside and paint today, out of the mud and chill that came with the storm we could smell coming on the air from the north yesterday.

As we hurried he astonishment of what the wood pecker said wouldn't settle. Many days had I wondered if this moment would ever come along in this life time and now it had? It went against everything I had believed up until now, and it gave me hope.

Pepper had barked at me to get a move on and dragged out a pack from one of the chest of draws with his teeth, careful not to slip on the floor boards in the rush. We were off within the time it took the bird catch his breath back. With the way Pepper was going about this, it has to be more serious than I thought but all I could imagine was the possibilities that came with this opportunity.

It's to the east, close to the mountain line, it puffed as Pepper and I sprinted after it in the gloomy weather. Clouds hovering over us keeping the sun away and the world grey. Thunder crashed in the distance but over more towards the coast. Out to sea. I don't know how or where it got through to the forest but...

We continued on the run in the mud, dodging fallen trees and puddles. Some animals glimpsed at us as we ran past but none followed as they scattered to get out of the stormy weather. I was starting to feel puffed and heavy in my chest with the cold air moving in and out too quickly from my lungs. I licked my dry lips and had to gasp once or twice as it became even more difficult when the adrenalin was starting to run low, but the excitement ahead pulled me forward. Scenarios and different situations ran laps around my head in anticipation. It wasn't till over the hill far east of my lake and cabin that we found it. Pepper came to a grounding halt in front of me, skidding dead wet leaves everywhere and almost nocking me back at the sudden stop. I watched as his sudden hope and excitement plummeted to almost anger as he became defensive once he caught sight of it. He began growling and sniffing at it as I hunched over, regaining my breath in deep gasps.

Stay away from him Alma. Pepper warned protectively. His fur stood high on his spine and his ears alert. I sighed a little short breathed.

I took a breath and wipe away the dry spit that had built up in the corners of my mouth. I circled around and peered past the dog.

It was young man. I almost thought he was dead until is saw the minor rise and fall of his chest. He looked old enough to be an adult but his baby like features betrayed him. Even with mud all in his hair I could see the sunshine blond curls cut short close to his scalp at the sides. He was tummy down and his arms and legs where flung out at uncomfortable angles. His clothes looked like he had been in a struggle and he was breathing heavily. The cuff of his shirt ripped, a gaping hole in a pants leg. Traces of blood everywhere but the mud was too thick to see through to how much damage was caused. His shoe half coming off and the other in a bush as he lay there. I walked over and picking the stranded one up. It was a dusty brown colour with laces at the front. I sighed brushing the mud away, trying to see the symbol indented into the sole.

Pepper still regarded him with dangerous teeth as he growled, muttering to himself. I felt a little sorry for the dog. I knew he had held hope that it had been my parents. His loyalty and resilience to forget them and give up had been a lot stronger then my own, but this had posed even equally good news as it had bad. There was hope beyond the mountains, and my parents could possibly still be out there. I looked away imagining how silly and unlikely that would be and gazed over the guys' face studiously.