Hunting Part 1

I had not known when I fell asleep last night, but I awoke this morning with my legs feeling like they were on fire. Looking down, I saw what looked like varicose veins, except they were much thicker.

I examined them more closely, pressing on them. They were hard. While I observed them some more, I realized they looked like tree branches.

Wait, were these the roots Granny was talking about? It was horrifying. I got up to walk and, except for the burning sensation and a prickly feeling at the bottom of my feet, I moved them freely.

I grabbed a pair of long trousers. This was my day to hang out with Rowan and Bella, and nothing was going to ruin that for me.

I meant that was the hope after all. Life was slowly dwindling away, and I had to live with more vigor.

I wanted to have fun, for I did not want suffering to be my last memory.

That was a choice I had, did I not?

Choosing to not suffer was my best option, as it was right now. I had to follow through with this not only for my sake, but for all my family and friend's sake.

And honestly, I did not want the commotion and excitement. I had not desired worrying Annie any more than she already worried and stressed.

It scared my friends when they first saw me and they were probably going to freak out more at those veins I grew on my skins.

It was already bad enough, and I had to do my part to restore some normalcy. Any more than they already scared, and I really did not want to look at their horrified faces any longer.

I walked slowly to use the bathroom, washed my hands and made my way down to the kitchen to get me something to eat. The house was quiet, and that said a lot as I sat down at the table.

A moment passed, and then my inquisitiveness got the best of me. Where was everyone? There cut vegetables on the counter, so breakfast was being made.

Where was the maker, though, was what I was wondering?

A sound drew my attention as I watched Annie arrive in the kitchen.

Annie had not seen me sitting down. Her attention was on those cut vegetables and after laying down a pot on the counter, she moved to continue cutting the greenery.

Her back was turned to me as she prepared breakfast. Perfect, because I wanted for her not to see me dragging my feet. If she asked me what was wrong, I was not sure how I was going to ease the fear in her usual racing mind.

I greeted her. "Good morning."

She turned and smiled, radiating the room with her superior glow. It gave me warmth where there should have been none. "Good morning hun." She moved closer and regarded me with a tilt of her head. "I didn't even hear you come down. You hungry?"

I shrugged. "Always"

She brought me some blueberries, an apple, slices of pineapple with a huge chunk of leftover bear meat and a cup of ginger tea.

It smelled amazing. I dug in. It was yummy, and the taste pulled back so many memories of food I ate in my earlier years. This was probably my last time to enjoy this selection, so I savored every bite.

"Joel's gone to get Rowan," she said.

"Yayyy!" I lit up. She laughed at my joyful enthusiasm.

She went back to the counter and motions with the knife like a warrior. "Yeah, so get that food down you. You're going to be needing your energy, because Joel's taking Rowan hunting today, so if you want to hang with Rowan, you've gotta hunt."

I knew I said I would, but the more I thought about it the more I did not want to go. Hunting was never a passion, and it was just hard to figure wanting to do it now.

I groaned and said like some naughty child, "No."

She grinned and shook her head at my denial. "Hush, you can always get out of it."

Tempting though the offer was, I wanted to treasure all the moments I could with my friends today, even if that meant I had to go hunting. This morning, my legs were sore. A fact she was unaware of, but I was pushing through to get this done.

"No, I guess I'll go hunting then," I said.

She laughed some more and laid the vegetables into a clay dish. "Suit yourself."

Annie hummed a sweet tone to herself as she finished with the vegetables and moved to washing her hands with water of the pot.

I had to admit it was good that she was bounding with joy. Yesterday was rough on her, for too many reasons. It had to be wondered if she just came to accept, or maybe this was her way of coping. Was she just trying to enjoy her last moments with me as I was with everyone else?

If so, that was good. I was worried she was going to crack. Annie was doing well in trying to stay positive. I cannot fall behind.

"You're in a good mood today," I said, for I noticed her upbeat spirit.

Her head rose before she wagged it in thought. "The days are passing by and I'm realizing that I'm having less and less time with you. I don't want to waste them being sad. I'll have plenty of time to mourn you when you're leaving. I don't want to grieve for you when you're alive. I want to celebrate your life."

Relief washed through me, because whether I was aware before, I was holding on to so much responsibility because of her own emotions.

It naturally felt like I was carrying the load for the entire family, even with Joel there. A fate I never asked for, but it came into my grasp and I was taking it without hesitation in the success of my brief life span.

It weighed me down back then, but she freed me from her clutches. I was happy for the break and that seemed bad to say. It gave me solace. I could die in peace knowing she will be alright.