Work Text:
Morning dew gathered on my ankles as I moved through the high grasses. The sunlight on my back gifted me a comforting warmth all over. This early in the morning, there was still a lingering of the night chill waiting to be cast out and replaced by the day. I stepped carefully, watching the ground with every step. What most people stepped over, was my bread and butter. Fungi, weeds, nuts… All here at our feet. I spotted my target up ahead. A huge dead birch tree, half of it had decayed and broken off. Most important thing i’d learn about foraging was where death is, life will be.
There were so many. Overflowing out of the hollowed base of the lifeless trunk were girolles. A bright yellow smooth top with a ripple underside. Gold chanterelle mushrooms. I felt my pride swell, I found them . They were an easy mushroom to recognize, still I was surprised there were this many blooming out of season. I saw a vision of my mother crouching next to me, smiling at our find like so many times before. A blink and she was gone again. I murmured, thanks, mom as I kneel down.
I pulled my basket forward, grabbing my trusted forging knife. It was small and curved with the handle slightly broken. The handle made it useless for defense which was probably why it had made its way into my basket. I began cutting down the fungi as close to the root as possible. Each pluck released a burst of a light apricot. My mind wandered to each small fact my parents had taught me about the gold chanterelles. So many more I wished I could remember.
Snap . The distinctive breaking of a branch caught my attention, snapping my head towards the noise. I listened, remaining still. My eyes darted from tree to tree looking for the source. After a minute of nothing, I turned back to my task, keeping my guard up. Could have been an animal , I reminded myself. After plucking a few more, I heard it again. I was definitely not alone. As I turned back to the sound, I grabbed my knife.
“Who’s there?”. I called out with every ounce of base my voice could manage. I heard his snickering laugh before he stepped out.
Tossing his hand up with faux innocence, he spoke. “Just me…”. Spencer. I relaxed slightly seeing it was one of our own. However, I'd heard rumors about him. I’d hear enough to not lower my guard entirely.
“Hi… What are you doing out?”. It was a fair question. Only ones who were allowed to explore the denser forests were the hunters and me. I was the only one who could forage safely, without the risk of making anyone sick. Spencer was certainly not a hunter, nothing of the sort.
“Hmmm… change of venue. Heard you were working out here today…”. He dipped through the trees, stalking closer. My hand tightened around the knife as I glanced over his shoulder. Bolting into the forest was a shitty option. But if I was gonna try and run home, I'd have to run directly past him. My mouth went dry as the reality came into focus. I brought the knife up from my hip and held it out slightly in front of me. He tilted his head to the side, resting it on a tree “What are you planning on doing with that blade, little lady?”
In a flash, a huge black arrow cracked into the wood inches from Spencer's head. He yelped and ducked down, wrapping his hands over his head. I took a look back where the arrow came from as I squatted down. Spencer looked at me petrified before he got his feet under him and took off running. My heart was pounding as I peeked in the direction the arrow came from. Then I saw him.
Daryl stepped out. Jesus, I cursed as I stood up. My body was still shaking as he made his way over.
“You alright?”. He asked, keeping a foot or two between us. The light weaved through his hair, his eyes full of concern and anger. He had his hands locked onto his bow, ready for action. I saw him looking over my head, still tracking Spencer.
“Yeah, yeah.”. I glanced around trying to regain my bearings. “You… holy shit, you nearly killed him.”.
He huffed. “Hit what I wanted too.”. He picked up my basket, shoved it into my arms and started walking back home.”Come’on.”.
“Were you…. watching me?”. I asked as I took an extra step to catch up to him. I couldn't help the smirk on my face.
“Somebody’s gotta.”