Into the Forest Shadows

by J. A. Marlow

  Kate frowned. The last time they'd been able to see the fog it didn't look like it had come down the hills as far as the cottage.

  Grandma gestured to the coat hooks next to the door. "Please take off your cape. It is warm in here."

  A chance to take off the annoying cape? Her hand hesitated on the ties. For a reason she couldn't define it felt wrong. She pulled it tighter around her neck. "No, thank you, I'm still a little chilled."

  Grandma gave her a bright smile that tipped to one side, "I'm so glad you are safely here. Could you help me with a little something?"

  Kate set the basket on the kitchen table. How wonderful it felt not to be carrying the weight of it. "Sure."

  "Back here. I have a problem with the, uh, well, it isn't working right."

  Kate followed Grandma down the hallway. Come to think of it, Grandma wasn't even walking right. Grandma had a very precise way of moving, almost gliding across a room, a grace Kate had tried to imitate in the past to no avail. Tonight she was almost loping.

  Grandma turned and motioned Kate into a room. Grandma's main laboratory and it looked like it had been ransacked.

  Grandma put a hand on her back and pushed her inside. She pointed to the computer on the desk, "There, that one. I can't get it started."

  "Did you have a problem in your office?"

  "Trying to find something. Nothing is organized. I need to fix that." Grandma cleared her voice and pointed towards the computer on the desk. "Please take a look. I just need to get inside."

  Grandma retreated to the door. Kate surveyed the mess in the room. This definitely didn't feel right. Grandma was always organized.

  Kate sat down at the chair. The keyboard sat askew from a monitor displaying a simple desktop with a few icons. She opened the main files.

  Only the minimum files and applications of a clean install appeared. The large storage system showed the same. Blank places where Kate could recall massive data files. A quick scan of the drives showed nothing left.

  "How are you doing dear?" Grandma asked with her rough voice.

  Kate took a deep breath and turned towards the door. Grandma hovered there, almost guarding it. "I'm trying to get into the files. This may take a bit. You have a better computer than we do at home. Could I have a drink of water, please?"

  "In a moment. See what you can find first," Grandma said calmly. But the eyes were hard. Grandma's eyes never looked like that.

  So, she was going to be watched.

  Kate shifted in her seat, bringing her phone out of a pocket.

  No signal again. That didn't make sense. Grandma's house had a communication relay that she used to keep in close contact with the city. Several Gatherer camps forwarded their communications through it. She slipped it back into her pocket.

  She opened the operating system files, searching out the main programs she knew Grandma used. One of the data logs she forced open with a text editor.

  A new window appeared in the middle of the screen.

  "Sorry to disappoint you, Shadows. Go back to your allies and inform them you failed. All the information you seek has been destroyed. And, Travis, dear, if you are reading this, a bit of advice: Stay away from my daughter and grand-daughter. Or several planetary authorities might learn about activities you would prefer no one know about."

  Kate quickly closed the window and backed out of all the files.

  "What is wrong?" the fake Grandma asked.

  And Kate knew she was fake. Her real Grandma could have moved in and out of the system in her sleep. The voice, the way of talking, the way she guarded the door.

  "A glitch," Kate said quickly. "I'm running a utility to see if a storage drive failed."

  She started a utility she knew wouldn't help anything, but it displayed a large colorful moving graph that would fool the person behind.

  "Wonderful, dear."

  Her real Grandma erased everything, on purpose. Where was Grandma now? Who was the imposter behind her? Or creature? And what did Grandma mean by "Shadows"? The questions made her shiver.

  The program dinged as it reached one of the levels.

  Somehow she had to get out of this house and before Ayden returned with Bunbun.

  But how to get out of the room and alone long enough to make her escape?

  Kate stood up, pushing a key to make the computer emit a noise. "There, that will take a few minutes."

  "Success?" Grandma asked.

  "I won't know until this is done," Kate moved forward with sure steps, hoping her face didn't betray her nervousness. "Bathroom time. I'll be right back."

  The fake Grandma backed up, glancing down the hallway, "Ah yes. The bathing room."

  "Maybe you could make some tea while we wait? We can drink while we wait on the computer," Kate said, making it to the safety of the main hall bathroom.

  Kate closed and locked the door behind her quickly without waiting for an answer. She flipped on the light and turned on the fan. Only then did she give a sigh of relief.

  Part one finished. Now to get out of the house.

  She tried her phone one last time. Nope, no signal. She put it away.

  She turned on the water at the faucet and moved to the window at the back of the sprawling bathroom. She pushed aside the bright-colored curtains and stood on an upended garbage pail.

  With the windowsill digging into her stomach, she pulled, pushed and wriggled her way through. She kicked out with a leg, tipping over the other side.

  Kate caught herself with her palms in the dirt. One leg came free. She braced herself and kicked free her other foot. She rolled through the flower bed.

  Now to get away from the house. Kate crouched down and started running past the darkened windows, glad hardly any lights illuminated the outside. She went around the back side of the tree, staying away from the front where the fake Grandma might be lurking.

  Once around the house she straightened and broke out into a full run out into the main orchard. She tripped on a root, caught herself, and kept running. Her eyes scoured the orchard for Ayden.

  No sign of any bunts. Did Grandma have one of the Trailing Willows in her orchard? She didn't recall seeing any, but then she'd had no reason to look for them. Now the trees around her took on a whole new meaning.

  No sign of Ayden anywhere. Kate continued deeper into the orchard.

  "Bunbun, stop playing," she heard Ayden say.

  She turned towards his voice, tripping over one of Grandma's many sensor units.

  "Kate, is that you?" Ayden called out.

  "Keep your voice down," Kate hissed. She stumbled again and found her footing only after digging a hand into the dirt.

  "I should have known. Only you are so noisy going through the woods," Ayden said. She found him kneeling next to the roots of a tree. "Why are you out here?"

  Kate leaned up against the tree. "Something horrible has happen."

  A little squeak from the roots and Ayden's hand shot out. "Got you! Now, no more playing, Bunbun. Good grief, he's absolutely shaking"

  Kate studied the clearing. No shadows so far. "He's probably sensing what I just encountered. Tell me, what forest creature can change shapes?"

  Ayden stood up, cradling Bunbun, "What do you mean?"

  "The person in the house right now is not Grandma. It may look like her, but it doesn't sound like her or act like her. Grandma purposely erased all her files and left a message to the "Shadows" that they failed. Oh, and did I mention that the house communications are out? I had to sneak out of the house."

  Ayden looked towards the house and then back at her. "Now it's my time for the accusations. You're saying this to get me worked up, aren't you."

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Kate shivered, "I wish I could say I am, but I'm not."

  "Wait, the bird," Ayden said slowly.

  "You saw that big thing, too?" Kate asked.

  Ayden stuffed Bunbun down into his coat and buttoned it up tight to his neck, "Yeah. It could have been carrying a hum
an."

  "Oh great, my Grandmother was carried off by a giant bird? Do you mean she just became dinner?" She stopped, realizing she'd raised her voice. The thoughts and images running through her head struck fear to the very core of her heart.

  A soft beep from behind made Kate whirl around. Ayden grabbed her arm and pulled her behind him.

  A white body glided into view. Kate squinted her eyes, the shape of it familiar.

  "Wait," Kate pulled at Ayden's hand, "Isn't that Grandma's housebot?"

  "That is correct, Ms. Kate," the little robot said.

  Ayden relaxed, and Kate stepped out from behind him. "What are you doing out here? You aren't designed to be outside."

  "That is correct, Ms. Kate," the housebot said. "I am here at the request of Ms. Olivia to await your potential arrival. Your voice print has been verified. Message commencing."

  "Hello Kate," her grandma's voice said from the housebot. "I'd hoped you wouldn't have to hear this message, but the Shadow Creatures are growing bolder by the moment. I believe you saw one this morning. It was not your imagination. The Watcher is not the only intelligent creature of the forest."

  The volume dropped so low that Kate had to kneel in front of the robot. "I don't have much time to explain, but basically you've just become the new helper. It's up to you to get the information to those who can do something about the current situation before it spirals more out of control than it is. Be wary. Use your instincts. Be very careful of who you trust and when. You currently have a series of blocked memories. The housebot will help release them. Kate, this is very important. I'm counting on you to do this."

  "Blocked memories?" Kate echoed. She looked up at Ayden.

  Ayden shrugged, "I know what the Shadow Creatures are, but not any of the rest."

  Kate turned back to the housebot. And into a face full of spray.

  It smelled horrible, setting her into a series of violent sneezes. She sat back, waving her hand in front of her face, trying to get the stuff out of her face.

  "What did you do that for?" Kate demanded.

  Grandma's voice continued, "Remember the "Flight of..."

  A wave of dizziness swept over her. Kate sat down hard, propping herself up with her arms locked, trying not to fall over.

  From somewhere up above she heard Ayden say, "Not again!"

  She felt his arms go around her as darkness rose up to greet her.

  She opened her eyes to find herself sitting in Grandma's living room. Bright daylight streamed through the windows. The smell of fresh baking bread wafted in from the kitchen. Grandma wore a shirt with bright flowers.

  She remembered this day and yet she didn't. She found Grandma studying her intently.

  "Feeling okay, dear?" Grandma asked.

  Kate nodded, "I guess. The tea tasted strange."

  Grandma looked down at the cup in her hand. "Sorry. I'm still working on the flavoring."

  Strange tasting tea, but not like she remembered drinking earlier that day. Earlier? She found her days mixed up.

  The scene continued, Kate stuck in a mixed-up limbo between active participation and an observer, "I said I would help. This is to help me remember later, right?"

  "Later, and only if something happened to me and you need to warn the Watcher."

  Kate frowned. "I've never even talked to the creature. I think Uncle Travis has, though."

  Grandma smiled. "It's just as well you don't get along with your Uncle Travis. I haven't quite figured it out, but I believe he's involved."

  "Involved with who?" Kate asked, her head not thinking right. In fact she felt a little bit dizzy. "You asked for my help, but so far this isn't making any sense."

  "Involved with the Shadow Creatures. You might have seen them once in a while, lurking in the shadows. They don't like direct daylight, which is where they get their name, and some of them are far too intelligent for their own good. For your future self to understand, the spray you just encountered is the final trigger to become a Watcher's helper."

  Grandma rubbed a bunt's furry head to her forehead with her eyes closed. She reached out to put it to Kate's forehead. Kate flinched away, but Grandma grabbed her on the upper arm and held her still. "A bunt won't hurt you."

  The touch of the humming bunt on her forehead set her entire brain tingling.

  "This is now passed to you. With the activation of these memories you now take my place as a Helper," Grandma said. "As a helper, the Watcher will listen to you as well as many others of the forest. Find him. A bunt will help you transfer the information in a way the Watcher will understand. Now I will tell you a part of what I've learned."

  The bunt settled on her lap. Kate looked down at it with new eyes. For a creature smaller than a house-cat, it packed a mental wallop. It chittered at her and hopped down to the floor, running with its tail straight up to hide under one of the chairs.

  "I'm living longer than I should," Grandma said. Kate's eyes flew to her, "It's been noticed. I've had a breakthrough in boosting human immune systems and I anticipate other breakthroughs. The Shadow Creatures have noticed, and are very unhappy about humans living longer than they already do. To them we are the ultimate interloper.

  "I'm now a threat, and the Shadow Creatures have only one way of dealing with threats, and that is to destroy them. If it were only the Shadow Creatures I wouldn't be so worried. But there are rumors of newcomers to the forest, allying with the Shadow Creatures."

  With her mind clearing, Kate thought of something Grandma said earlier, "Is Uncle Travis a part of this?"

  "He's noticed my long spry life, as well, insisting I back up all my files in the company archive where he'd have access to them. I won't do that, not until I know more."

  Kate groaned. "He needs to just go!"

  "I can't fire him yet. He's a link to what is going on." Grandma refilled her tea cup. "The Shadow Creatures have a new leader, one who is subverting their purpose of servants of the forest. They are now predators and nothing is safe. As I learn more we will have more of these sessions. This is what I needed your help for, Kate. If anything happens to me, you will need to do all you can to stop this madness."

  Grandma's voice faded out. Kate closed her eyes. Awareness of Ayden's supporting arms reappeared. She felt a wet flick on her chin.

  Kate opened her eyes to find Bunbun sitting on her upper chest, licking her chin and humming in encouragement.

  "Bunbun got loose again," Kate croaked.

  "You with us again? What happened?" Ayden asked.

  Kate reached up to grab Bunbun. The soft warm little body felt so comforting that she held and petted him. The once-suppressed memory of Grandma filled her mind.

  And with it a rage bubble up. "Grandma did something to me. And I agreed to it!"

  With a beep the housebot settled to the ground, "Memory systems erasing. Shutting down."

  Kate glared down at the housebot. She took a deep breath. With Bunbun in one hand, and another on Ayden's arm she insisted on getting up despite an unsettling dizziness.

  "What did the housebot spray? It smelled like stinkweed," Ayden said, putting another arm around her as she faltered.

  "You heard Grandma. It was a trigger to make me a Watcher 'helper', whatever that is. We need to get out of here." Kate shook herself. "The Shadow creatures are here. They came for Grandma."

  Ayden's body behind her went still. "Here? Right now?"

  "I think one of them is in the cottage right now, impersonating her."

  "I don't want anything to do with them. A few weeks ago they destroyed some of our equipment," Ayden said. He let her go and took Bunbun, putting him back into his coat.

  "The Shadow Creatures have only one way of dealing with threats, and that is to destroy them," Kate echoed.

  "Uh, that's right. Where did you hear that?"

  "Where do you think?" Kate said impatiently. "Have any ideas of where to go from here? Wait, do you know where the Watcher lives?"

  "No, he comes and goes a
s he wants, but sometimes the odd animal will know where he can be found. If they feel like answering you. That's pretty smart. If the Shadow Creatures are up to something, the Watcher should know about it."

  "One for the city girl."

  Ayden glanced around the grove. "We'll find the Watcher after finding shelter from the fog."

  Kate bit her tongue, almost about to insist they search now. He was right, though. They couldn't shelter in Grandma's cottage and they needed shelter from the descending fog. "If you know of a place, lead the way."

  "I know of a place, but we have to hurry. I'm surprised we haven't seen any yet."

  A bang in the direction of the cottage echoed through the orchard. An angry growling voice called out, "Kate? Where are you? Kate!"

  Ayden grabbed her arm, "Time to run."

  Kate didn't argue. Without the basket to impede her way she easily kept up with him. A sore spot on the edge of her foot reminded her that the long hike earlier in the day she wouldn't be able to keep it up for long.

  A howl echoing through the forest only increased her speed. Another howl answered the first.

  "It's calling for help," Ayden said between pants.

  Bunbun thrummed and Ayden caught at the neck of his coat to keep the little wiggling mound from climbing out. Through the noise of them crashing through the forest Kate heard something coming up behind them.

  On the other side of the glowing trees lining the path a shape flashed. A frilly white apron flapped behind as it gained and then passed them. Grandma came to a stop in the middle of the path, blocking their way. Kate almost knocked Ayden over as they came to a sliding stop.

  Grandma crouched in front of them and smiled a wide toothy grin, "Wherever are you going in such a hurry?"

  Ayden pushed Kate back. A series of howls echoed from different directions. Grandma put her head back and answered with a howl that chilled Kate to the bone. Two dark shadows appeared from the forest depths, circling around them.

  Fear rose up, making it hard for her to breath. Her legs felt weak. Which made her furious. The fear would not overwhelm her!

  Kate pressed her lips together and took a deliberate step forward, "Who are you? Where is my grandmother?"