The Kids, part III.

a rageful sun sets violently upon the land.

Paco opens his eyes wide as he absorbs the scene. he is sweating. the entirety of his clothes is soaked on his own sweat. his left-hand trembling removes the wet blanket. slowly he gets out of the bed as he observes the peaceful image painted to him.

Paco takes a shower and then goes to the cafeteria. he sits silently. he is eating with a blank facial expression representing the void on his mind. the other kids stand around talking about multiple things including the world beyond the forest. they are full of curiosity expecting to learn more from the world. from Paco.

Paco looks at the curious eyes. feeling intimidated by the pressure of expectations, Paco smiles nervously as he tells them everything they desire to know. the loud sound coming from a plate falling and breaking alerts Paco. in tears he reveals the truth of the night.

Agustin comes up with an idea. he makes the proposition to go in the middle of the day inside the forest and leave before it gets dark. it will only take a minute or two (his words.) no one wants to follow a stupid kid, but even a smart kid can fall for a stupid kid's charm.

as the kids are walking towards the exit. Mother Carlota tries to stop the kids. she can tell that the kids are about to do something stupid. then there is a fight between some kids. Carlota gets distracted as Paco, and another five kids leave.

Paco, Franco, Martha, Remo, Agustin, and Alicia. all six of them go to the forest.

Paco is walking on the tail. he walks behind Franco. he is holding Alicia's hand. the little girl smiles and sings full of joy. Paco can only concentrate on the steps taken by Martha. her hair looks like fire under the light of the sun. Agustin stands all the way in the front as the head of the little group with a loud voice.

every person is loud in their actions. in their presentation. in their ego. there are many ways or forms in which a person can be loud. and between the six kids the only one who isn't loud is Remo who walks with a blank stare. a boy who makes no sound. a boy that even in his personality seems to be silent. and Paco has paid attention to every detail.

the sun is bright and vibrant. there is a wave of heat slapping you at every step. moisture becomes another layer between the flesh and the clothes. you feel the extra weight pushing the body against the ground making it harder to move. to advance.

Paco turns around for a second. there is a figure hidden between the trees. a dark figure that vanishes between the shadows of the trees. Paco feels the tiny hand of Alicia pulling him with all her little strength. he pretends to be fine as he keeps walking.

"Do you like it?" asks Remo with an emotionless facial expression.

"Like what?" asks Paco feeling confuse and unsure of what to say.

"Do you like this hidden paradise? or do you prefer the outside world? my sister and I, we grow up in the forest. we haven't seen much of the outside. but we prefer ignorance over the world. they say that the world is big and dangerous." said Remo.

"Yes, this place is a hidden paradise. but there is so much more to the world. so many different things to eat. so many different places to visit. new clothes to wear. the world is full of different things to try and do." said Paco with a huge smile.

"Oh, I see. I was hoping for you to be different." whispers Remo showing sadness.

for a moment there was complete silence. no one else speaks out. the only noise surrounding them is the noise of nature. the sounds created by creatures of the forest. then a shadow presents himself in front of the kids. a mature middle-aged human figure.

the man in question is holding a hunting rifle. he is wearing a knight's uniform. there are marks of time and age touching the uniform. the man presents himself as a hunter. there is a second in which the kids are trying to question if the man is dangerous or not. they had been told tales before about men of questionable morals stealing the light out of kids with their own grotesque hands in question of seconds.

the man carefully drops the rifle by his feet. he kneels with both hands up in the air. the hunter presents himself as Ludwig Jager. he smiles calmly.

"Pardon my sudden introduction. I am a hunter on the hunt for a big old wolf. the wolf in question has lost its claws and fangs. but even in such degrading shape, it is and will always be a wolf. I had come to collect the head of the wolf." said the man.

the kids feel terrified. first, there is a stranger invading their territory. a man they had never seen before has come to warn them about a wolf. they feel terrified. the kids don't know how to deal with the news. it should be Padre Jimenez's job to deal with dangers such as wolves or bandits surrounding the forest.

the stranger once more warns them about the horrors hidden in the forest. he stands up slowly and firmly. the hands of the man have a map of scars marking the ordeal that has been the life he has taken as a hunter. the man takes his rifle and walks into a thin layer of fog vanishing and leaving behind a warning.

Paco is sweating. he turns to face the other kids. with a soft and gentle tone Paco voices how uncomfortable he feels inside the forest. he tells them about the feeling he gets. he explains how he feels as if some derange eyes are staring at him.

the kids had come to the conclusion that they should leave. Agustin stops the kids. he tells them about the purpose for which they decided to get there in the first place. none of the kids has the guts to oppose an intimidating kid like Augustin.

"I am right, right? tell them." said Augustin as he looks directly into Paco's eyes. 

"Fine. we can stay longer." said Remo.

there is a strange sound coming from between the trees. Paco notices actual wolves walking around the tree's shadows. there is something off about the wolves. they look like real wolves but something about them is wrong. their eyes. yes, it is their eyes. those aren't the eyes of a normal animal. those are humanlike eyes.

Paco starts to sweat nervously. he turns to face the other kids. they are distracted.

ahead of them, there is a perfect circular space that is mostly barren with a singular green tree at the heart. the tree in question is almost three meters tall. it is thick. somehow it has an opening in the middle from which clear water comes out. it is a strange and melancholic experience to stare directly at the tree.

some clouds threaten the kids with hiding the sun. the kids start to feel fear. they turn around and decide to run towards the exit. as the kids attempt to leave the forest, each of the kids saw or heard something abnormal.

the last ones to leave the forest are Paco and Alicia. there is something in there. both of them saw something inside that damn forest. somehow all of the kids arrive at the orphanage without a single scratch on time. as the kids have fun for the rest of the day. Paco is the only one acting out of character. he is the only one with a pale face. 

Alicia cries as she holds Paco's hand. the little girl cries with such a sentimental pain. the other kids wonder if Paco saw something forbidden. they wonder if he saw a Wendigo or maybe he saw the Big Foot. everyone asked the question. Paco refuses to answer.

the same night while everyone else is sleeping. Paco is sleepwalking. he keeps whispering something as he bites his tongue. he bites his tongue until it bleeds. Paco stops at the roof of the orphanage staring at the moon. in there his whispering turns into a sound similar to that of a wounded animal singing.

the blind kid stands by his bed. he listens to Paco's pain. tears come out of his eyes. he starts to pray silently for Paco's salvation. only the blind kid knows what is hidden in the forest. only the blind kid is aware of the evil next door.

all the other kids sleep peacefully. the adults in blissful ignorance. the creatures of the night hidden in every corner. in every shadow. and little Paco standing under the moonlight unaware of his own pain.