Not for little girls

                James and Adelaide stood still just inside the door. They had come from a small house, but this was smaller still, and Adelaide worried where they both were going to sleep.

                Wreke seemed to notice their apprehension to come further inside. “It’s alright, make yerselves at home.” He had left the rifle near the front door, propped up against a small bench and plopped himself into one of the rockers near the fireplace. Adelaide helped James over to the chairs, and eased him down into one. Not knowing what to do next, she made her way into the small kitchen alcove.

                The items were mostly covered in a thin film of dust, except one cabinet. On this cabinet there were hand prints revealing where Wreke often opened the door. She took a chance, and started opening the door when Wreke’s voice caught her off-guard.

                “That cabinet is not for little girls.” Her hand jerked back in reflex and she felt heat rising to color her cheeks. “You can go in any other cabinet, but not that one.” She ducked her head, though she knew Wreke couldn’t see her fully in the dim lighting of the cabin.

                Looking around for something to do, she noticed an old teakettle sitting despondent on the stove. 

                “Where can I get some water?” She didn’t want to leave James alone, but she felt that she might as well start doing something useful around the place.

                “There’s a pump to a well not too far around back of the barn.” The voice that floated over to her sounded like the owner was falling asleep. She decided that James would be okay by himself for a little while.

                The light blinded her as she stepped out on to the porch. She blinked in the change in light and managed to get down the stairs without tripping or falling down them. Heading around the back of the barn, she paused and patted the old mule on the nose. He flicked an ear at her and continued in his afternoon nap, his tail lazily flicking at flies.

                At the back of the barn there was an obvious pump, but when she tried to get water out of it, nothing happened. She wiped the sweat from her forehead, and looked around. The trees were closer here to the barn than to the house. She just closed her eyes and breathed in the fresh air. It was similar to the woods that had been near her family’s house. If she was still and listened hard, she could almost hear the brook not far from the barn.

                But she wasn’t imagining the bubbling. The faint clean smell of water drifted on the breeze, and the sound of water trickled over rocks. She opened her eyes and looked around, caught sight of a footpath into the woods.

                She crunched the undergrowth under her shoes and the light filtered down through the treetops as she followed the path. The trail sloped downhill and the sight of water blinked up through the brush. The kettle banged sharply against her leg as she dropped down the last few feet to the creek.

                The water ran bright and clear through the rocks. She bent down and dipped the kettle into a niche in the rock that seems designed to hold it. While the water filled, she took off her bonnet. Her blonde hair glimmered in the soft light as it tumbled down her back. She was enjoying the warm sunlight until a sharp crack from the woods across the creek startled her.

                Her eyes focused on a shadow crouching across from her. As her eyes adjusted she was able to make out the figure of a person. But the person was barely clothed! Her fair cheeks flushed with embarrassment at seeing someone who was clearly not a child, but was not wearing many clothes.

                “Hello?” She felt like she had to say something; the figure across from her flinched.