The Butterflys Shadow
Flashback ii – 14 Years Ago
Scarlett blinked slowly, her head spinning. Everything hurt—her back, her arms, her legs. Even breathing felt sharp and painful.
“Get up,” the boy whispered urgently, shaking her shoulder. “Get up! We have to run!”
Scarlett’s lip trembled. Big fat tears rolled down her cheeks. “W-where’s my papa…? Assunta…?”
The boy’s eyes darted around nervously. “Shhh! Don’t cry so loud! They’ll hear you. Do you want to die?”
Scarlett shook her head quickly, fresh tears spilling. She didn’t understand what was happening. Why was it so dark? Where was her house?
The boy grabbed her small hand. His eyes widened for a second at the contact, but he didn’t let go. “Come on!”
Scarlett let him pull her up. Her bare feet hurt on the hard ground and sharp twigs. Every step made her whimper, but she tried to stay quiet.
They ran.
Her little legs were short and tired. She kept stumbling, crying softly as sticks and stones cut into her feet. The boy held her hand tight, pulling her along.
She looked back and saw them—a pack of rogue coyotes, eyes glowing yellow in the dark, moving fast through the trees.
A scared sob escaped her. “They’re coming!”
“Shhh! Don’t look back!” the boy hissed, yanking her forward. “Just run!”
She tried, but her legs were too tiny. She tripped over a root and fell hard, scraping her knees and hands. Pain shot through her and she cried out.
The boy stopped, eyes wide with fear. He quickly scooped her up. “Hold on tight,” he whispered, breathing hard as he started running again with her in his arms.
Scarlett buried her face in his shoulder, sobbing quietly, her small arms wrapped around his neck.
Behind them, the coyotes howled.
The boy ran faster, dodging between trees. He knew this part of the woods. He turned sharply, pushing through thick bushes and vines until they reached a hidden spot—a small cave entrance almost completely covered by hanging vines and thick bushes.
He ducked inside, carrying her deeper into the cool, damp darkness, then set her down gently against the wall. He quickly pulled the vines back over the entrance.
They both held their breath.
Outside, the coyotes ran past, snarling and sniffing. Their paws thudded close… then farther… then gone.
The boy stayed pressed against the wall, listening until the sounds faded. Finally, he let out a shaky breath and slid down to sit beside her.
Scarlett looked at him with big, teary green eyes, still trembling. “What’s your name?” she asked in a tiny, scared voice.
The boy hesitated, then gave her a small, shy smile. “Kaiden. My name is Kaiden.”
He looked at her tear-streaked face, her wide innocent eyes, and something soft flickered across his expression. “You’re safe now,” he said quietly. “I won’t let them get you.”
Scarlett scooted closer and laid her head on his chest, curling up against him like a tired kitten. He froze for a second, then slowly wrapped one small arm around her back.
“Did you run away from your people too?” he asked quietly.
Scarlett shook her head against his chest. “No… I was chasing a pretty butterfly. It kept flying away and I kept following… then it was gone and I couldn’t find the house anymore.”
Kaiden sighed softly. “You need to be careful. The woods are dangerous.”
She burrowed deeper into him, her small cold hands clutching his shirt. Kaiden hesitated, then gently rubbed her arms, trying to warm her. He stayed awake the entire night, keeping watch.
He didn’t sleep a wink.
******
Morning light filtered through the vines.
“Kaiden… Kaiden…”
A tiny voice called his name. He opened his eyes to find big, bright green eyes looking right at him. Scarlett sat up, face dirty and hair messy.
“It’s morning,” she said, voice small. “And I’m hungry…”
Kaiden sat up quickly. His stomach growled too. “Me too. Come on, we’ll find something.”
He helped her stand and held her tiny hand as they stepped out of the cave. Scarlett stayed very close, looking around nervously.
“What do we eat?” she asked, voice wobbly. “I want pancakes… and milk… and cookies…”
Kaiden let out a small, tired laugh. “There’s no pancakes out here. We’ll find berries or maybe catch a fish.”
Scarlett’s bottom lip trembled. “But my feet hurt…”
“Don’t cry,” he said, trying to sound brave. “I’ll take care of you, okay? I promise.”
He squeezed her hand tighter and they began walking slowly through the woods.
Scarlett’s legs were tired, but she never stopped talking—her voice soft and sweet like a little bird. She chattered about her papa’s big desk, Assunta, singing songs about stars, wanting a fluffy puppy, and how her favorite color was yellow because it looked like sunshine.
Kaiden listened quietly, answering in his soft voice when she asked questions. “I like green now,” he said at one point, a tiny smile twitching on his lips.
After a while, he stopped and pointed up at a tall tree heavy with clusters of bright red berries. “Stay right here. Don’t move. I’ll get them.”
He climbed quickly. He was almost at the berries when a thin green snake suddenly raised its head, fangs ready. Kaiden twisted fast, snatching a handful of berries just as the snake struck. He dropped back down beside Scarlett.
“Here,” he said, breathing a little fast. “They’re safe. I checked.”
Scarlett took them with both hands, eyes wide with wonder. Juice stained her lips red as she ate. “Mmm! They’re sweet! Thank you, Kaiden!”
She offered him some. He took a few, eyes scanning the trees.
“You’re really good at climbing,” she said between bites, still talking nonstop.
“I can’t climb. Papa says girls shouldn’t. Do you have a papa? Mine is big and strong but he doesn’t smile at me much. Assunta says he’s sad because of Mama. She died when I was born. Do you think that’s why he doesn’t like me?”
Kaiden was quiet for a moment. “I don’t have a papa anymore. He’s gone. But I’ll take care of you until we find your house. Okay?”
Scarlett smiled at him, berry juice on her cheeks. “Okay. You’re my friend now.”
Kaiden’s chest felt strangely warm. He nodded. “Yeah… friends.”
They kept walking, hand in hand. Scarlett chattered away about butterflies, glowing rocks, and the yellow dress with stars she wanted one day. Kaiden stayed alert, holding her hand tightly and scanning for danger.