The Kids, part V.

Paco is levitating. he is moving towards the forest. wearing Adam's suit bathed in mud and filth as his body gets closer to the forest. he tries to look behind. some crimson red long and boney fingers grab his head and forced him to only look forward.

voices at the long distance call out Paco's name. red tears fall from his eyes. horror is drawn all over his face. his fate becomes inevitable. he tries to struggle. he tries to move violently at first going against the current, but no physical force can save him. finally, Paco gives up as he lets his body be dragged into the forest. the crimson long fingers are touching all over his face with sharp long fingernails cutting him.

"Fear not my child, thy end should be a child's rest." whispers a ghostly voice.

someone tries to hold Paco's right hand. but it is all in vain as the force pulling him drives him further from his friends, and closer to the forest. there is a deformed inhumane face standing behind Paco. the face belongs to the thing holding him from behind. there is no questions and answers section. it would end just like that.

the night is foggy barely illuminated by the moon's light. it brings a dreamy scenario. a beautiful scenario that becomes corrupted by the horrors ahead.

finally, Paco is inside of the forest. slowly, step by step he reaches the heart of the forest. once there the screams at the distance become his own screams. the horrors of the forest wrapped him in fear and dread. a living inferno is the outcome....

Paco wakes up. he is sweating. he looks around unsure if what happened was real or fake. he notices the mud between his hands and legs. his face is covered in mud. there are some small cuts all over his face. some small stains of blood around the bed.

Paco tries to stand up. he feels pain in his back. he looks at Marcelo pretending to be asleep as he faces the opposite side. Paco tries talking to his friend. and he is welcomed by Marcelo's silence as he refuses to say anything else.

Paco understands. he goes to the bathroom. he takes a shower. once done, Paco looks at the reflection of his back in the mirror. there are some deep scratches around his back. there is some blood coming out of his back. he dresses up. gets out of the bathroom.

Paco walks into the cafeteria. the other kids sit around him. Paco asks about yesterday, to be more precise about last night. he wants to know where they went. but all the other kids seem to be confused as they didn't leave the orphanage. the Padre stopped them.

Paco feels like cold sweat falling all over his shoulders. Paco looks down as he eats bread. he notices a scar on his left hand. there are two names. Alicia and Paco. the boy looks up with a forced smile as he lies. he pretends to be fine. he pretends, because that is the only thing he has left to do under his circumstances.

"There are adults. someone is getting adopted today." screams a kid full of joy.

Paco overhears one of the younger boys talking about how some of the younger kids were playing until late hours. he asks the boy about Alicia. the confused boy lets him know that she may be sleeping in her room. Paco thanks the boy. Paco leaves running.

Paco keeps running until he reaches Alicia's room. he knocks multiple times. he then opens the door slowly as he gets inside. Alicia is sleeping in a bed. Paco takes the little girl between his arms and carries her as if she was his little sister. he walks around the corridors with the sleeping girl between his arms. she wakes up and looks into his eyes.

Paco smiles at Alicia. then a young couple approaches them. based on their garments Paco is able to recognize nobles of lower level, most likely a Baron or a Count. a young couple that seems to be kind and nice. the couple argues as they want to take both kids, but at the moment they can only take one kid with them. the question is who.

"Please, take her. she is a child in need of maternal love. I at least had parents before. but she doesn't even know the face of her parents." said Paco with a sweet smile.

eventually that same day Alicias was adopted by Porfirio Martino Reyez Dominguez, a duke of royal linage that has kept himself away from politics in the countryside. based on rumors his wife struggled for years to birth a child. given her delicate physical condition.

Paco sits by himself in a corner. he thinks about his actions. the girl is safe. but the same can't be said about him. that dream was a warning.

Franco gets close to Paco. the kids are going to the forest. Remo and Romelia are having an argument as they get close to them. Agustin stands silently behind Paco. some other kids stand around the little group. Paco nods as he feels nervous.

Paco follows them outside of the orphanage. Marta is walking next to him. all the friends walk towards the forest. they get inside the forest. there are around twelve kids. some of the kids aren't part of the group. they just wanted to follow them.

the wolves keep their distance from the kids, hidden between shadows. then a white rabbit stands in front of Paco. out of nowhere comes a wolf that steps on top of the rabbit. it breaks the rabbit's limbs. then it stares at Paco with a vicious smirk. the wolf sinks its fangs on the white rabbit's neck and in a single movement breaks its neck. the rabbit's body is dragged by the wolf as it walks backwards slowly. it stares directly at Paco's eyes.

the vicious howling of the wolves. the humane eyes of that vicious beast. every mystery the forest keeps hidden. Paco feels the need to run away. he feels terrified. he needs to run. then a warm hand calms him down. Paco looks behind. the hunter stands there with a welcoming smile asking the kids if they are hungry. he cooked deer broth.

some of the kids sit down around a campfire. the creatures of the forest keep their distance from the mysterious hunter. there is some sorrow painted in his features. the kids ask multiple questions as the man silently serves food to them. he eats.

"Can we know why you are here?" asks Paco out of curiosity.

"I am a royal hunting dog. between my expertise is hunting down vicious animals. there was once a wolf, a horrendous animal. it took me years to find him. but it was no longer the same wolf. for some time, I struggled to understand if the wolf was wearing lamb's clothing or if the wolf had given up on being a wolf. it was quite the dilemma." 

"So, you haven't found the answer? or is he a wolf?" asks Paco feeling curious.

"No, I found the answer. he was no longer the same wolf. I felt the need to end him either way, there was no reason to care. I just wanted to go back home. but there are worse things that wolves and animals. there are true beasts out there. I choose to stay behind to help. he couldn't do it by himself. a beast is too much for a simple hunter."

"So, you are protecting us from the forest?" asks Paco feeling relief.

"Yes, I am a foolish hunting dog. I can't release my prey once it is between my fangs. my claws are to attack even in the face of danger. and here I am." there is a hint of sorrow on the hunter's voice while his face shows no emotion.

as the sky started to get cloudy, the hunter asked the kids to go back home. he then stands up holding his riffle. turns around and vanishes between the fog.

the kids are able to go back home safely. it gets dark quickly. Paco for a second stands by the door unable to move. it is as if there is something invisible holding him from the neck. Paco turns around slowly as he starts to sweat.

there stands a wolf staring at Paco. the wolf turns around and leaves. the howling of the wolf sounds abnormal. it is some sort of final warning.  

Paco walks around the dark corridors. he gets inside of his room. the other kids sleep peacefully as Paco stands in front of his bed trembling in horror. there is nothing to be done. Paco jumps on top of his bed. he gets under the blanket. 

"Any regrets you wish to share?" Marcelo asks.

"Not kissing Marta for sure. I really like her. even now that things seem to be so wrong, I wonder what her lips may taste like? strawberries? candy or perhaps bitter." answers Paco trying to pretend that everything is fine.

"It is okay to cry." said Marcelo.

Paco starts to cry silently.