Anna and Amity were gone from their homes for the rest of the day, busy far back in the woods, only coming to the house to secretly ask their fathers about something or other, upon which they returned to the woods, dragging bundles of different sizes and shapes.
When it was dinner time, the girls each returned to their own homes. At Anna's house it was a peaceful meal, as she was an only child, so there were no siblings to ask questions. At Amity's house, she was only asked a few questions by her older sister, upon which learning that nothing was going to be told, stopped asking.
The next morning was a Saturday, and early in the morning, Anna changed into a brown T-shirt and some black yoga pants. Throwing a dark brown sweatshirt over her head, and grabbing some gloves, she left the house, leaving a note for her parents explaining where she was. She walked in silence through the woods, scanning her surroundings, and occasionally stopping to examine different tracks.
The woods behind Amity's house eventually connected with the woods behind Anna's house, after going through two other people's properties first. Amity and Anna's parents had spoken to the neighbors about the girls being able to go through their woods, and the neighbors had both allowed it, to the extreme pleasure of the girls. As a result, the two friends met each other in the woods most every day.
As Anna scanned her surroundings, she was aware of a slight movement in her peripheral vision. Knowing that if she jerked her head to look in that direction, the person, would know it had been spotted, Anna didn't look in that direction for a few heartbeats. Casually, she looked in the direction of the movement, after looking in another direction as well. There! This time Anna was sure she had seen movement; seen something jerk behind a tree. An easy mistake to make, Anna reflected. She kept her face normal and kept walking until the person was ahead and to the right, concealed behind a tree. When Anna noticed that the person was not looking, she dropped to the ground and rolled behind a tree. She stayed there for several moments before slowly standing up. Slow movement would not be as easily seen, she reminded herself.
Slowly popping her head out from behind the tree, Anna scanned the area. Remembering what Halt had told Will, 'Don't keep your focus in one place. Widen your focus.' She widened her focus, and she noticed movement as the person, whom she recognized as Amity, search for her.
Eventually, Amity left the cover of the tree and begin to walk to where she had seen Anna last, a confused look on her face. Anna slowly moved to another tree, crouching.
Amity frowned and suddenly was suspicious. She whirled around to look at the woods. Having an idea, she announced, "Ha! I see you Anna."
Anna let out a huge sigh and stepped out from behind the tree, "How did you see me?" She asked frustratedly.
Amity grinned, "I didn't."
"Wha-" Anna started, then clamped her mouth shut, realizing she had just been tricked. Instead, she just glared at Amity.
Amity laughed, "Lighten up! You have to admit it was a good trick."
Begrudgingly, Anna admitted that it was a good idea, "Fine."
"Did you see me?" Amity asked curiously, "Is that why you went into the woods?"
Anna nodded, "You moved. I wouldn't have seen you otherwise."
Amity frowned, "So you can see movement well?"
"That's about it." Anna confirmed. Amity was dressed in a similar fashion to Anna. She had dark green sweatpants and a light brown sweatshirt. The girls had discussed it before, and they had both agreed that brown and green were the best colors in practically everything.
The girls started off at a light jog, headed to the designated area.
It was a small clearing, and differently sized pieces of wood were scattered everywhere.
The girls set to work, placing the wood in separate piles, according to what shape or size the wood peice was. After half an hour of this, the girls stopped, breathing deeply.
Anna wiped a few drips of sweat that had formed on her forehead, "Those pieces are a lot heavier than they look."
Amity grunted agreement, "So do you think we should go get our dads to help now?"
Anna considered for a moment, and then nodded, "I think so. Come on!" She turned toward the path and started jogging. Where the trail split, one side going to Amity's house, and the other going to Anna's, Anna called out as Amity turned onto the other path, "Meet me back there!"
Amity nodded understanding and kept jogging.
Anna increased her pace and kept it up until she reached the house. She stopped for a few moments, steadying her breathing, and set off again in a light jog.
The back of Anna's house faced the woods, while the front faced a quiet road. Anna made it to the front of the house, quietly opened the door, and went inside. Quiet clinks from the kitchen told her that someone else was awake, and she headed in that direction.
Her father was by the counter, drinking a mug of hot chocolate, while her mother was still stirring her mug, dissolving the chocolate powder.
"Hey mom! Hey dad!" Anna greeted cheerfully.
"Hey sweetheart!" Her dad smiled, "How are you this morning?"
"Great!" Anna smiled back, "Do you think you could help Amity and me? She is trying to get her dad too."
Anna's dad, Doyle, nodded, "As soon as I finish my cocoa."
"In that case, I might just invite Heather over." Anna's mom smiled and moved over to the phone. Heather was Amity's mom.
After what seemed like forever to Anna, Doyle finished his cocoa, got his coat and gloves on and headed out the door with an impatient Anna.
They walked to the back of the house and started down the long trail. Anna kept alert the whole walk, listening and looking for any hint that Amity may be sneaking up on her. Eventually the trail connected with the trail that led to Amity's house, and Anna became even more alert.
"Dad, just keep heading down this trail, okay?" Anna told him.
Doyle raised a questioning eyebrow, which suddenly reminded Anna of Halt, and said, "Um, okay."
Anna flipped her sweatshirt hood over her head and cut into the woods. She followed on a track parallel to her father's, just one or two meters into the woods. Anna moved silently, except for the occasional snap of a twig under her feet, after which she muttered a quick, "Shoot."
Eventually, Doyle reached the clearing. Waiting in the center was Amity's dad James and Amity. Amity looked very jumpy, and upon not seeing Anna with Doyle, immediately scanned the woods. Anna froze in place, hardly daring to breath. Eventually, Amity looked in a different direction, and Anna began to circle them.
"I see you!" She called out hopefully.
Anna didn't move. 'That trick won't work twice, Amity.' She grinned.
Amity had a thought, and suddenly turned around to look behind her. Taking the chance, Anna swiftly got out of the woods and stepped next to her dad quietly.
Amity turned around again and her eyes narrowed when she saw Anna.
"What's wrong, Amity?" Anna asked innocently.
Amity realized that Anna wanted her to act surprised, so she just smiled, "Nothing, I was just glad you're here."
Anna felt a little sense of disappointment; she had been hoping that Amity would say something along the lines of "but you weren't there just a second ago!"
Amity grinned and ran over to Anna, giving her a hug.
The two dads laughed. "Now," James started, "What do you need us to do?"
The girls both looked a little confused, "Don't you know what to do?" Amity asked, puzzled.
"This cabin was your idea." Doyle joined in with a twinkle in his eye, "You tell us what to do this time."
"Oh."
After whispering to each other for a few moments, they straightened, facing the two fathers, "Soldiers!" Anna announced, while Amity grinned, "Let's get to work."

1377 words this time!
More sneaking up and stuff like that this chapter! Well, hope you still hang in with me!

I did not take this picture, but I liked it, so I used it. ;)

Well, I hope you enjoy this chapter!

I'll hopefully update soon, little hobbits!

<<Evara>>