Behind The Shadows

C H A P T E R O N E

“Don’t worry, honey. We’ll make it on time!” Dad said, reassuring Mom.

“Why? Why is that?” I asked at the supper table in no one in particular.

I’m confused at how we should always be obedient to the government.

It was a common question on our house. There was a plenty of “How”, “What” and “Why” from me, that wasn’t considered much worth asking.

“Why do you have to sell the woods?” I ask again, which made Dad sigh and pause of bringing the spoon into his mouth.

“Dad told you before, Megs. We didn’t have a choice. The Government wants it. We’re common people; We’re different from the government people. People like us can’t say ‘No’ to them.” Justine replied to me with a smile on his face.

“We wouldn’t have sold the woods if we don’t have to Megs.” Madeleine told me, her voice is quite playful.

“It is good if they’ll provide a food for that one, you know. But it’s not like that, we sell the woods to them, but we don’t receive in return. Yes, they pay for it but it is not enough.” I told them protesting.

“It would be better if they pay the right amount for it.” I continued.

Being a sixteen year old I knew better. Still, picturing the government people as a very big, fat person, two or three times bigger than Dad, wearing shiny suits that has many pockets inside, containing wads of cash inside. Who’ll go around whenever and wherever they like and yell at someone like “STOP THAT!” and “NOT ALLOW!” It’s how they always talked about government, like “People from government will keep the price higher than the usual price”, “Government wouldn’t want that thing” and like, “Government will be mad if we add that.” It is because of the way how Justine, Madeleine, Dad and Mom talked. They always talked about government with negative comments about them.

“Government people didn’t mind asking us if we wanted neighbours or houses here on the woods.” Mom said to me, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Government always think about how will this country become superior from other countries, they never think about the consequences that few people would experience.” Dad said, his voice quite serious.

I noticed that Dad’s looking at me, right into my eyes, I noticed that there’s something behind those eyes.

Pure sadness.

“I wonder what kind of people will live there!” Justine said, shifting my eyes away from Dad, and setting it to my side.

To Justine and Madeleine.

“People from government?” I asked everyone.

“Probably, or maybe, lower than them. Worker’s of people from government. Does that make sense?” Madeleine replied again playfully.

If only I’m allowed to go out, or just sneak to the kitchen window again, I can see what Justine, Madeleine and my parents were talking about. If only, I can point out the maddening sound from outside. I can’t help but imagine the outside, the tall trees already cut in half, people walking and yelling at each other like my parents talk about.

“Dad, if there would be a people somewhere here in the woods, does that mean I’d bet—“ I’d better hide more carefully than before, before I can count the person that came here inside the woods.

That time father scolded to hide carefully because I would never know when someone might walk to our door. From this time, I’d better hide more and more carefully, because I know hundreds of people will be around the woods. Not only us any more. I know how this conversation will end, but I can’t help myself, but to look forward to Dad’s new answer.