Chapter 3
Chapter Three
THE FOREST REALLY DOES HAVE EYES
CARSON
Yesterday, the conservation area brought the same feeling as the first time I went. The sensation of being watched, causing every hair on my arms and the back of my neck to stand up.
Still, there were no signs of life around me aside from the beautiful, lush life of the forest.
I was going to go downtown, but after my late night of painting, I slept most of the day away. By the time I was up, it was too late for much adventuring, so I decided to check out a new section of the forest.
That’s my plan today, too—more exploring. Only for half the day, though. I’m almost out of snacks and quick meals, so I need to go downtown. Besides, I should put up some flyers for my first art show…which I would like to have in a few days.
I sketched out my flyers, hoping the handmade part helps draw people in. Now all I need to do is put them up around town. Hell, maybe I should put one up in the forest just for whoever has been watching me.
Because there has to be someone. I can feel the eyes, and rarely see so much as a squirrel. Maybe if I run into them in town, it’ll be a familiar feeling to have their eyes on me?
Or maybe it’s the pressure I’m putting on myself. There’s a chance my imagination is having a creative streak of its own.
As I venture around a new section of the forest, I scan my surroundings closely. The trees are less dense in this section, allowing more sunlight to stream in, keeping shadows and darkness to a minimum.
I feel a bit safer, but even in the light, I still have that lingering feeling of something watching me. At this point, it’s probably just my nerves getting to me.
When I go downtown later, maybe I can ask some of the locals about the conservation area. Who knows, one of the local monsters might actually live in here, and I’ve been trespassing this entire time.
That’s unlikely since it’s a public park. Though I guess anything is possible. Definitely going to consult the locals about it all.
Nearby, I hear rushing water, my feet instantly following the sound. It grows louder as I get closer, a small waterfall coming into view. It’s gorgeous—crystal clear water spewing freely and rebelliously.
I flip to a new page in my sketchbook, capturing the natural beauty in my own abstract way. Now this will be an amazing painting.
As the minutes pass, the hairs on the back of my neck rise again. My slight fear is accompanied by something else this time—frustration. I can’t keep being distracted by whatever is watching me. Can’t I just sketch in peace?
“Who’s there?” I whirl around with much less warning, frantically scanning the area behind me.
For a split second, I see something—the eyes that I’ve felt on me all three times I’ve entered the forest. In the shadows of the tree, dark-blue eyes reflect the moonlight like the ocean at night.
One blink and they’re gone, disappearing too quickly. But they were there. The image of them lingers in my mind.
My hand moves with a mind of its own, flipping the page in my sketchbook, bringing my pencil across the paper to capture the memory of the enchanting—and frightening—gaze from within the shadows.
Staring down at the finished sketch, a near replica of the eyes stare back at me. On one hand, this proves I haven’t been imagining things.
On the other though, there really is someone watching me. But…why? I haven’t even been into the heart of the town yet, so no one besides the tree-man and a few of the other guests at Green Glen Cabins knows I’m here.
Now that I’ve confirmed something is watching me, I really need to figure out who and why. At least, hopefully it’s a who and not a what—a person is much easier to reason with than an animal.
Time to head into town and see what this could be about.
The town is, quite frankly, dreamy. The way Harmony River flows through the town, right behind Glen Green Cabins where I’m staying.
On the other side of it, there are some shops I want to check out.
A pub, a café, and some sort of store that I can’t identify from the back.
I figure I’ll hit that area of town last, so when I’m tired, I can just wrap back around to the cabins.
I started on the opposite side of town. Everyone I’ve run into has been so friendly—well, a few have been rather shy, but still nice. I handed out flyers for my art show to people in the grocery store. I’ve put up a few on lampposts around town.
I even popped into the Monster Tunes radio station and talked to the werewolf who owns it, nice guy, his name is Asher. When I gave him my flyer and asked if he could mention it once or twice on the show, he was happy to help.
The Corner Bar let me put up a few flyers inside, which was nice as well. The more I explore this town, the more I am enamored by it. It’s so welcoming, so homey, and definitely has some sort of conservation area secret I need to figure out.
No one has been able—or willing—to tell me anything about a monster, person, or creature living in the conservation area. Everyone I ask seems surprised to hear that I saw eyes watching me from the shadows.
A few laughed it off like a joke, while others gave me a wary look. I suppose a tourist making claims about their local forest might rub some the wrong way, now that I think about it.
As I walk by the fountain, I take a moment to pause. This is where the magic will happen. At least, I hope. I’ve already gone through all the steps to get a permit for my event, which they made much easier than other towns.
I can picture it now—my easels holding up the main pieces, while my others are leaning strategically on ledges and park benches. The sun’s rays will illuminate each piece, making the colors look even more vibrant and pulling out the layers.
It’s going to be great—I can just feel it.
My stomach growls, and a yawn builds in my chest, one I can’t quite fight off. It’s been a busy day with a lot of walking. Actually, the past few days have been a real test of my cardio.
I’ll hit the last few stores on the other side of Harmony River before I call it a day, then maybe I’ll stop at the café for something to eat before heading back to the cabins.
Those last few stores are a bit closer to the conservation area, so maybe their owners and the residents over there will know more about it. Can’t hurt to ask.
With one last look at the stunning fountain, I turn on my heel and begin to head toward the stores.