Entry #80

The Collectors
by Jenn Carkner


Her raven hair flew like a banner behind her as she raced through the wood. Ahead she could see her goal: It was flickering golden through a million different shades of brown and green. He would be waiting anxiously for her, she knew, but that couldn't be helped.

Ten yards more... Five... She broke into the sunny clearing, the one place in the whole wood where the light broke through the great emerald canopy of ancient growth. How it came to be, they couldn't know for certain, but the charred remnants of long-dead ancients suggested a mighty storm to be the cause. This was their place. He was there; sitting on an enormous stump, gazing at a massive clump of roots that were twinkling merrily in the midday sun. He turned at the sound of her footfalls, and grinned.

"Didja get it?"

"Yeah, it was close though. My Ma nearly caught me while I was closing up!"

And with care that was close to reverence, she gently opened the cloth package she had been carrying. The boy leaned over, his eyes sparkling in anticipation.

"Ahhhhh…" He sighed as she withdrew their newest prize from its wrappings.


She nodded her understanding, and without a word, walked to the clump of roots and gingerly set the treasure in a little knot formed by two intertwined roots. It fit perfectly. With a sigh of contentment, she stepped back to where the boy was watching, and together they admired their collection.