The Clearing in the Forest

I sat on my parents' back porch, gazing out at the dense forest. The rain drummed against the tin roof, creating my favorite kind of music—a rhythmic, soothing melody that filled the night. Mist rose from the wooden railing, curling around me like a cool embrace. I breathed in deeply, savoring the scent of damp earth and pine. I loved the rain. The way it smelled, the way it sounded, the way it felt against my skin. I could have stayed there for hours, lost in thought, but my brother's voice pulled me back. "Audra, Dad's calling you inside. He's worried you'll catch a cold," Kai said, his tone lined with concern. I sighed, barely turning my head. "Oh, Kai. We both know Dad's not the only one who's worried. I'll be in soon, I'm not done soaking in the rain yet." He scoffed, shoving his hands into his hoodie pocket, and turning to leave, "Dinner's almost ready, so don't stay out too long," he said before heading back inside. The old wooden screen door creaked shut behind him. I lingered, my eyes tracing the darkened silhouettes of the trees. What would it be like to be one of the creatures that lived among them? To run wild and free, untethered from responsibility or worry? I sighed, knowing I'd have to return to reality soon. As I pushed myself up from the swing, a rustling sound came from the tree line. My head snapped toward it. A wolf. Not just any wolf—a breathtaking one, its fur a mix of white and speckled tan, almost blending into the rain-drenched forest. Its fierce yellow eyes locked onto mine, holding me captive in their intensity. And then, as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished into the trees. A strange sense of loss settled in my chest, but I shook it off and turned toward the house. As I opened the door, the distinct scent of burnt food filled my nostrils. I sighed, following the smoky trail to the kitchen. "Hey, Dad, what are you burning today?" I teased, leaning against the counter. He gave me a sheepish look. "Sweetie, tonight's special is burnt tacos… with a side of charred rice." Kai chuckled as he scraped the ruined rice into the trash. "Dad, you need serious help in the kitchen." Dad raised a brow at me. "Maybe instead of staring off into space, you could give your old man a few pointers?" I hesitated. "I could, but… cooking was Mom's thing." My voice wavered. "And, well, you know. I could never be as good as her." The air in the room grew heavy. Silence settled between us like an unspoken grief. Kai cleared his throat. "You know, Audra, you should teach Dad anyway. That way, when we visit Mom, we can bring her some real food. Lord knows the kind of stuff they serve in that hospital." Dad nodded, rubbing a hand over his face. "He's right. She'd love that." I swallowed the lump in my throat and got to work. Measuring out fresh rice, I set it to cook while Dad watched over the beef. Together, we salvaged dinner, and by 8 p.m., we were all sitting down to eat. "So, Audra," Dad said, taking a sip of his beer, "how's school going?" I finished chewing before answering. "It's fine. We have a biology test next Tuesday, so I need to study for that, I guess." He nodded before turning to Kai. "Any luck with the job hunt?" Kai's jaw tensed. "Not yet." A quick reply. A conversation ender. Kai had graduated high school last year with a full ride to our state's top law school. Everything had been set—until Mom got sick. We had to drop everything and move out of the country to see a specialist here, in our new country, Vaeloria, in the rainy town of Corentin. Eight months of endless downpours, and cold. No one could pinpoint exactly what was wrong with her, but at least the doctors here had stabilized her condition. I pushed my food around my plate, my appetite fading. The rest of dinner passed in quiet conversation before Kai helped Dad with cleanup. I excused myself and went upstairs to finish my homework. I wasn't a straight-A student, but I wasn't failing either. Junior year was supposed to be when I figured out my future, but ever since the move, everything had been uncertain. Back home, I had a plan. Jackie—my best friend—and I were going to attend the same college. She wanted to study culinary arts, and I had planned on a business degree so we could open a bakery and coffee shop together. But now? That dream felt distant, almost impossible. I sighed, pushing the thoughts away as I focused on my assignments. By the time I finished, it was 10 p.m. I stretched and glanced out my window. The sky was pitch black. The moon was nowhere to be seen. My room had the best view in the entire house. The bay window overlooked the back deck and stretched out toward the endless forest. It was my favorite spot to read—or simply sit and watch the wildlife. Deer, bears, wolves, and countless smaller creatures made their home in those trees. And yet, something about the forest tonight felt… different. Without thinking, I stood and crept downstairs. The house was silent—Dad was probably asleep, and Kai had retreated to his room. I slipped past their doors and into the mudroom, pulling on my boots and a parka. Grabbing a flashlight and a knife, I carefully eased open the back door. It groaned softly in protest. The autumn air hit me like a cold slap, sending a shiver down my spine. My breath curled in the crisp night air as I stepped onto the porch, navigating around the creaky boards before making my way toward the trees. The deeper I went, the quieter the world became. The sounds of our small suburban neighborhood faded into nothing. I switched on my flashlight and followed the path I had marked, my boots leaving shallow imprints in the damp earth. I didn't know why I kept coming back here. Maybe it was the tranquility. Maybe it was something deeper. Fifteen minutes later, I reached my clearing—a hidden sanctuary I had stumbled upon weeks ago. I had built a small shelter of rocks to store my supplies, keeping them safe from the elements. Pulling out my blanket and bag, I settled down, resting my head against the makeshift pillow. Above me, the stars peeked through the shifting clouds. The wind whispered through the trees, carrying with it the scent of pine and rain-soaked earth. I closed my eyes, letting the forest lull me into a light sleep. And somewhere, beyond the edge of my consciousness, yellow eyes watched from the darkness.