She’ll Be Back

“Will you be gone long?” He asked again, looking up as his mother stood and stretched her legs.

“No, my darling, I will be back as swiftly as I always have. Why are you being so silly this day?” Her tail swished side to side as she spoke.

“I’m not sure mama, I feel scared.”

Wetness brimmed in her eyes and she bent to nudge his cheek with her nose. “Worry less. There is nothing in this entire world that could keep me away from you, or you from me. I will return, and we will play.”

Shifting uncomfortably, he adjusted his legs beneath himself and let his tail swing softly. “Okay mama. I love you.”

“And I love you.” Turning, she leapt away from their sheltered bed and looked back to ensure he had not followed. “I love you so much.”

The minutes ticked by slowly, creeping their way into hours, and the fawn remained in his bed. His ears twitched as flies buzzed around his head and he shook to scare them away.

“Where’s mama?” Standing at last, the fawn’s eyes wandered the enclosed space. “I miss mama.” He walked out into the dense forest, nervousness rising to the surface. He looked out into the darkness and took several fearful steps forward. A loud crack echoed throughout the forest and the fawn jumped, sprinting into the woods with tears welling in his eyes.

“Mama!” he cried. “Mama I’m scared!” He continued on, panting after only a few moments of exertion, and slowed to a walk. “Mama come back!”

In the distance, a glow seemed to light the way, and he walked towards it. He sniffed. Something acrid tainted the air, and overwhelmed the senses after a time. Smoke flowed through the forest, wrapping itself around the trees as the fawn continued onward. “Warm.” He thought, desperate to be back against his mother’s chest.

Suddenly the forest opened into a brilliant blaze, and the fawn flinched. He turned quickly, and left to return to his bed, but made it only a few yards before meeting another blaze. Again, he turned. Again, a blaze. “MAMA!” The scream rattled his throat. “MAMA! PLEASE!”

Panicking, he circled the only space he had left untouched by the flame. Through labored breathing he laid down, tucking his legs beneath him once again, and the fire raged around him. He closed his eyes, and swished his tail side to side, picturing his mother.

“She’ll be back soon.” He reassured himself, her voice boosting his own thoughts. “She always comes back.”

In other news: the controlled burning on the outskirts of town was a success. 1,000 acres were cleared and are ready to use for the development project starting next week. Expectations are for thousands of units to be ready by Spring of 2030.