Watching

As they walked deeper into the woods, the rustling of leaves and snapping of twigs beneath their feet were the only sounds that broke the silence.

Lyra began to think of the many warnings her mother told her about the woods. She looked to father who walked with a serious expression.

She giggled at how funny her father looked. Her father looked at her and gave a small smile.

Suddenly, Lyra heard a faint rustling sound coming from their right. She stopped in her tracks and looked at her father, who raised an eyebrow.

"What was that?" Lyra whispered.

Her father shook his head. "I don't know, but let's go take a look."

They veered off the path and followed the sound, which grew louder with each step. Lyra's heart beat faster with excitement or was it fear.

As they rounded a thick cluster of bushes, Lyrs's eyes landed on a small, fluffy rabbit. It was cowering in a ball, its big brown eyes staring up at them.

Lyra gasped in delight. "A rabbit!" she exclaimed.

Her father smiled and knelt down beside her. "Look, Lyra. It's just a little bunny."

Lyra reached out a hand, and to her surprise, the rabbit didn't run away. Instead, it nuzzled her hand gently, as if seeking comfort.

"What do you think it's doing out here all alone?" Lyra asked her father.

Her father's expression turned thoughtful. "Maybe it got separated from its family. Or maybe it's just exploring, like we are."

Lyra looked at the rabbit again, feeling a pang of sympathy for the little creature.

"Can we keep her dad?" She asked.

"Of course, but we must get back soon before your mother gets worried."

Lyra picked up the bunny and hugged it with a big smile on her face. " What should we name her daddy?"

"Whatever you want dear." He couldn't shake off the feeling of someone watching them.

He picked Lyra up and began to walk as fast as he could back to the cottage. When they arrived they found Sarah waiting worriedly on the porch.

"Did you find anything!" John put Lyra down. Lyra ran to mother showing the cute bunny she picked up from the woods.

"Look mommy a bunny, daddy said I can keep it," her mother only smiled and led her into the house.

As Lyra was playing with her bunny, Sarah and John were discussing their findings in the woods. He explained how he felt the presence of someone and how he felt they were being followed all the way into the woods.

"I don't think it is safe for her to be out there anymore!" John exclaimed "it is too dangerous for her." He said as he shook his head.

Sarah looked at her husband's worried expression. " I'll inform her of our decision but John remember you suggested we come here despite the warnings. How will we continue to leave in fear?"

John looked at his wife who's eyes seemed to want redden every time she spoke. He comforted her and promised to earn more money to get them out of the situation.

Meanwhile Lyra stopped playing with her bunny and was staring at her parents as they hugged each other in the kitchen.

She turned away away to look out the window towards the woods and there, by a tree, a man stood there glaring at her parents with an unreadable expression.