Timberland Story

Vera, a young girl with a high black ponytail and orange freckles, darted past the Douglas Fur trees on the forest trail of pine cones and rocks. She was alone, and she wasn't supposed to be here.

There was a sign in front of the trail—a yellow sign. "Multnomah County Resource Department and Imports ONLY. One lane road." Vera surely was not an import truck or a member in the resource department, but she ran on the trail anyway. She was a nomad. She had no home, nor parents, but she traveled all over her home state, Oregon. Though she had little, one thing she did have was a guardian. Buggy, Buggy Orion. A 58-year-old beatnik who had been traveling with Vera since he found her in the Seattle suburbs six years ago, right after he quit his mundane office job to start a traveler life. Vera considered him her non-biological father figure. Buggy considered her his non-biological daughter.

But last night, Vera got in a considerably damaging argument with Buggy. She wanted to go to school, finally. Make some friends and learn.

"I need to live my life," Vera shouted. "You went to school, why shouldn't I!" Buggy became silent. Speechless.

"You're not ready, Vera. Until you are, I can teach you everything you need to know," Vera stared at him in disappointment.

"I don't want to wander anymore looking for a home. I've found my home." Vera pointed to her heart. "But I need people to fill it."

Had he not been like a father for six years? Had he not been around? Buggy was not mad at Vera, but mad at himself for not being like a father. The best father a young girl could ask for. Without hesitation, Vera grabbed her street scrap backpack and ran. Buggy couldn't follow. He had to leave her alone. They both needed to be alone. She made it very clear to him.

"Someday we'll meet again," Buggy sighed, watching Vera run into the busy Oregon street. Vera ran across the street, towards the forest.

The Timberland.

Vera tried. She tried to run away from her old life and create a new one. But it wasn't that easy. Though she kept running, part of her wanted to go back. Part of Vera wanted to go back and hug Buggy and tell him she was sorry. But part of her was too bitter to live on the life she never wished for.

She kept running in the Douglas Fir forest. Vera stopped running at a sudden stop. Dirt flew up behind her on her green socks. A large dome made with sticks with ferns surrounding it stood stable right in front of her. Cloth hung from the top.

"Somebody lives here," she whispered.

"Yes, indeed!" a shrill, calm voice suddenly spoke, coming from behind Vera.

A lanky young boy, around Vera's age, stood behind her, holding a stick with a handmade cloth bag attached to it.

Vera pointed in curiosity.

"My lunch!" the boy said, walking over to a small table with a wooden bowl sitting peacefully on top of it. He poured the bag, which was full of lettuce, into the bowl.

"Care to join me?" he said, patting his hand on an extra stump.

"Oh I don't think now is a good time," Vera said, turning to walk away.

"You look hungry," the boy said. He pulled her hand and she fell onto the stump. He passed her a bowl. The two sat in silence eating lunch for a few minutes.

"Emmett. You?" he said.

"Vera," she gave a friendly smile.

"So what are you doing out here in the middle of the woods? Shouldn't you be at your mom's garage sale selling lemonade or something?" Emmett spoke.

Vera looked at him like he had two heads.

"And who told you that?" Vera exclaimed. "I happen to be on my way to be looking for a place to live in right now." Vera grabbed her backpack and a stick laying on the ground, and stood up. "I'll be on my way.''

Emmett got up before she started walking away. "Mom couldn't pay rent and you got kicked out. Had a fight, I suppose. I see many runaways pass by here," Emmett explained.

"I'm sure you do." Vera spoke, and this time, walked away for good.

Finally, instead of passing chanterelle enoki mushrooms, lichen, and moss, Vera discovered a clearing. An opening to a small river, filled with small tadpoles and fish. The sound was peaceful, the wind was low, and the sun was about to rise. It has been a day since Vera encountered Emmett. She wanted to start fresh, with new people, of course, but Emmett didn't seem to like her. She needed to start a new life with unity, and someone to trust. Other than Buggie, but she couldn't think about him.

Vera sat down on a rock and started to pick berries on a nearby bush. Blueberries, Buggies favorite. Part of Vera wanted to scream and blame Buggie for not being there, even though he had been quite a bit, but not enough, and another part wanted to forget running away, building trust with new people, and go back with Buggie and start over. It was all too hard, and Vera was still figuring it out.

But for now, the blueberries.

"Hello again Vera," a familiar voice said.

Vera turned around sharply, holding a few blueberries. "Emmett?" she said. "What are you doing here?"

"Hold out your hands," Emmett spoke.

Vera held out her hands, not saying a word. Emmett grabbed her hand. his hand had dirt and scars, all over it. Vera had so many questions to ask him. Where was he taking her? How long has he been living in the woods? Was he alone? What was Emmett's story?

Emmett brought Vera to a little home in the woods. Made out of sticks and old bricks. Vera stared at it in wonder. On the front of the door, a cardboard sign read "Vera's New Home.'' In front of the small dwelling was a small stump table.

"Wow... I don't even know what to say," Vera spoke enthusiastically. ''Thank you Emmett!"

Vera and Emmett started walking around the newly built home. It was so quiet you could hear the maple leaves crunch under their boots.

"Here, follow me," Emmett said. "There's more."

Vera followed Emmett to a small little lake just west of their home. The sun was just above their heads, making a reflection in the lake.

"Wow this is beautiful. I better get going back home," Vera exclaimed. Emmett turned to look at her, confused.

"You said you didn't have a home. So now you do. Where is it?" Emmett, puzzled, said.

Vera turned to look at the glistening lake. The birds sipping from it, and the beautiful blue sky. She turned to Emmett, and his beautiful blue eyes. Then, she thought of Buggie.

"This is my home," they both paused. "Right here."

Vera woke up with the sun in her eyes, shining through the sticks of her home. It has been two weeks since Mr. London has shown up to their homes. He wanted them out. Out in one month. But Vera wasn't okay with this. Neither was Emmett. Mr. London has said either they would move out, or they would forcibly remove them if they hadn't in one month. It was their choice, but also their fight.