It was already dusk when Ivan’s father beckoned him from the open doorway. The cool blue light of evening hovered thickly just outside the house; descending the two front steps, his father was quickly immersed in it, the warm yellow of firelight draining from his head, his shoulders, last of all his feet. Uncertainly, Ivan… Continue reading A Place in the Forest, Part 9
Tag: young adult
A Place in the Forest, Part VII
“Mava,” Ivan called. “Are you sure about this?” Mava turned and looked back at him. The light coming from him was green but it seemed to be filtered, as if it was passing through a thick fog. His expression was earnest, open, holding nothing back. Even had she not been able to sense his emotion,… Continue reading A Place in the Forest, Part VII
A Place in the Forest, Part IV
A branch snapped loudly beneath Ivan’s foot, hidden by the carpeting of brown leaves that covered the forest floor. He froze and held his breath, listening intently. He was conducting an experiment; he wanted to find out how close he could get to Mava’s clearing without her sensing him. Every time he went there she… Continue reading A Place in the Forest, Part IV
A Place in the Forest, Part III
“That settles it,” Mava said decisively, concluding a dialogue she’d been having with herself. “We’ve got to go swimming.” Ivan smiled weakly. “I think I’ll just put my feet in,” he ventured. “I’m really not that hot.” A drop of sweat chose that moment to roll off the tip of his nose, undermining him. Mava… Continue reading A Place in the Forest, Part III
A Place in the Forest, Part II
“Oh no, I can’t eat that.” Ivan paused with his hand still outstretched offering the smoked trout on its open napkin. “Uh, there’s hardly any bones in it, if that’s what you’re worried about,” he said uncertainly. “I’m pretty good at deboning them. But you do have to be careful anyway,” he added hurriedly. “Some… Continue reading A Place in the Forest, Part II