Myst of The Hidden Forest

Just as the enraged bear begins to close its lethal maw on the helpless Chelsea, a huge, white, wolf comes to her defense. Little did they know at the time, it would also take them on a journey to a mystical realm.

The Newtons, Gary, Jodi, and their daughter Chelsea, had just moved out of the big city. Gary had found a great deal on an old farm that needed some work. Tired of the hustle and bustle of the city and wanting to raise their daughter in a safer environment, Gary and Jodi had saved up as much as they could, then cashed in on their home in the city. Their plan was to live off the farm, enjoy the slower pace of living, and raise their daughter in a healthier environment.

Just a few days after they moved, a huge, white wolf showed up in the yard. Gary was working inside the house, Jodi was putting their belongings away, and Chelsea was playing in the big back yard. Both parents dropped everything and ran to the door when they heard the shrill scream come from Chelsea.

She, being a city girl, and only ten, didn’t know much about living in the country. She didn’t know much about wild animals, either. A friendly bear cub had wondered out into the yard, curious about the young girl. Chelsea was also curious, and went over to the cub and started talking to it. Everything was fine until the mother bear rushed out of the trees and charged right at Chelsea.

She screamed as the huge bear charged her, which may have saved her life. The bear stopped dead just feet from the girl and snarled. Standing up on hind legs, the bear advanced again as Chelsea slowly retreated. Standing just outside the doorway, there was nothing either Gary or Jodi could do, it was fifty feet to where the bear advanced on Chelsea, and there was no time to reach her.

Both parents were filled with releife when the bear stopped advancing and Chelsea kept backing up, slowly. Mother bear was sniffing the cub and seemed to believe it was now out of danger. Then, Chelsea tripped over a clump of sod and fell over backwards. The sudden movement drew the mother’s attention, and she rolled her lips back and bared huge, yellow teeth. Then she attacked the defenseless child lying on the ground.
Just as the bear opened its mouth to grab Chelsea’s leg, a white streak shot from the tree line. A huge white wolf charged the bear and latched onto its muzzle. The bear jumped back in shock and began shaking its massive head to dislodge the intruder. The wolf let go just before a powerful swing of the bear’s paw ripped into it. It ran in a semi-circle and stopped right at Chelsea’s feet, blocking the bear from attacking her. With teeth bared and ready to pounce, the wolf let out a low and horrible growl.

The bear had blood running from its muzzle from the sharp teeth of the wolf. It stood its ground and eyed the new threat, then let out a savage yell. But instead of attacking, it backed up a few feet, then turned and ran with its cub back into the trees. Gary and Jodi ran to the fallen Chelsea, yelling and waving their arms to chase the wolf away. Instead of running, it turned around and stood right over Chelsea, then lowered its head and began licking at her tears. Just before either of them reached her, the wolf lay down beside the girl and put a massive paw over her and nuzzled its nose into her tangled hair.

Jodi stopped a few feet away, then slowly reached down to Chelsea. Gary stood beside her, watching the wolf to see what it was going to do next. The great, white wolf rolled over on its back and looked at them with golden eyes. Chelsea had already rolled over next to the wolf and was now rubbing its exposed belly and giggling. Jodi brushed Chelsea’s hair and knelt beside her. Then cautiously reached over and petted the wolf on the chest.

“You came to save her, didn’t you?” Jodi asked as the wolf grumbled in delight of the attention it was getting.

“Mommy, he saved me. Can I keep him?”

Gary knelt down on the other side of Chelsea. “I don’t think that would be a good idea, Sweet Pea, it’s a wild animal and can’t be trusted.”

“But Daddy, look, he’s just like a puppy. He wouldn’t hurt anyone. Besides, I’ll take care of him.”

Jodi looked into the wolf’s half-closed eyes. “He’s a she, Sweet Pea; this is a girl wolf.” Turning to look up at her husband, she added, “She seems very tame, I wonder if she’s someone’s pet and just happened to be close by when the bear attacked.”

She knew already the wolf had no collar, and the tangled white hair indicated it to be a wild wolf, not anyone’s pet. Gary confirmed her thoughts, “Look, no collar, and the thing is a tangle of hair and cockleburs. It’s no pet, it’s a wild animal. We should just let it be.”

They stood, helping Chelsea up, then walked back to the farm house. The wolf got up and sat down on its haunches and watched them until they went through the door. Then it got up and walked back to the woods where it had emerged from. It stopped and looked back at the house, then turned and vanished into the brush.

The wolf showed up the next day, sunning itself in the back yard. Jodi took some leftovers out and set on the porch then retreated back inside and watched from the window. The wolf walked onto the porch and ate, then went back into the brush. This became a daily routine; the wolf was often spotted around the house, watching over them. The bear and its cub, however, were never seen again.

Gary wasn’t sure what to do with the wolf. After all, it had saved their daughter’s life, but it was still a wild animal. Could it be trusted? He talked about calling the game warden but just never got around to it. “Maybe they could relocate it. Then again, they may just shoot it, and I don’t want to harm the beast, it has never done any harm to us. Jodi, I just don’t know.”

His questions were answered Saturday morning. He was up before Jodi or Chelsea and had started making breakfast. Jodi came to the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee, then sat down at the small table. “Chelsea’s still sleeping?”

“Yeah, she must have been pretty tired. She worked hard helping you paint yesterday, so I let her sleep. But, pancakes are done, we better go wake her.”

They walked together to Chelsea’s room, opened the door, and to their surprise seen the huge, white wolf lying on the bed, sleeping next to the small lump that was Chelsea. The wolf opened her golden eyes and looked at them, then climbed off the bed and walked right to them. Gary stepped to the side, but the wolf didn’t walk past. Instead, she sat down by his feet and looked up at him.

Meanwhile, Chelsea had woken from the movement of her twin bed when the wolf had gotten up. She sat up and looked at her parents, who still just stood in the doorway with their mouths open. “Oops. I didn’t’ wake up in time to put Myst out before you got up. Am I in big trouble Mommy?”

Jodi laughed. “Yes, I think maybe you are. When did you let this wolf in here?”

Chelsea looked down at her little hands folded neatly in her lap. “I let her in after you and Daddy go to bed and I hear Daddy snore. Myst waits on the porch until I let her in, then she sleeps with me all night and keeps me safe from monsters. I let her out in the morning before you and Daddy get up, but I slept too late. Didn’t I?”

Gary asked the next question. “Young lady, how long has this wolf been sleeping with you?”

“Since she saved me from that mean ole bear, Daddy. She’s really nice and I told you I could take care of her. Can we keep her, please Daddy?”
Jodi was petting Myst’s head, between her ears and the wolf was leaning against her legs, like an overgrown puppy. “I don’t know. She’s a wild animal, or at least she was. Jodi, you aren’t helping matters any. Do you really think keeping this thing around is a good idea?”

Jody didn’t’ answer, but walked back to the kitchen and returned with a big pancake. She tore a piece off and held it out to the massive wolf. As gentle as could be, it took the scrap from her hand and ate it. “Here, you give it a piece, she’s gentle and I don’t see any harm in her being around.”

Gary shrugged, then took the pancake and tore a little piece off. He was surprised how gently the big wolf was in taking it from his hand. By this time, Chelsea was out of bed and hugging Myst. Gary was about to tell her not to touch the animal when it was eating, but Myst had already turned his head and was licking Chelsea’s face.

“Well, she does seem to be pretty tame. I’ve seen dogs that aren’t as gentle as she is. Since your mom thinks it’s alright, I suppose she can stay. But, it’s your job to take care of her, Chelsea.”

“Thank you Daddy. I will, I’ll take really good care of her.” She hugged Gary, then hugged Jodi, then turned and hugged the huge wolf who was still sitting by Gary and Jodi’s feet.

“Now, go wash up for breakfast.” Jodi told Chelsea. “After breakfast, you can give Myst a bath, and then brush out those snarls. I’ll help you, okay?”

Chelsea was already heading for the bathroom. Yes, Mommy.”

Jodi gave Gary a kiss on the cheek. “You’re a good daddy. With Myst around, I don’t think we will have to worry about anything happening to Chelsea.”

“Well, look at her big, golden eyes, how could I not let her stay. Three females all giving me the look, one with big blue eyes, one with big green eyes, and now one with big golden eyes. Looks like we have a dog.” He turned and went back to the kitchen and set the table.

They ate breakfast with Myst lying on the floor by Chelsea’s chair. She didn’t’ even sniff at the table with the food on it, and Gary was quiet when he seen Chelsea sneak her a piece of bacon. Again, he was amazed how gentle this animal was as it carefully took the tidbit of crispy meat from Chelsea’s hand. After they finished, Chelsea put the leftovers in a bowl her mom gave her to use for Myst’s dish. Myst just watched until Chelsea called her over, then she gobbled up the pancakes and bacon in the bowl.

Gary pondered out loud while helping Jodi with the dishes, “I wonder where she came from. She looks wild, but acts very tame. Sure don’t seem like any typical wolf.”

“I know. I just hope she doesn’t belong to someone and they come looking for her. It would break Chelsea’s heart if she had to give her back.”

Myst looked up when they spoke and cocked her head, as if listening. Gary didn’t know it yet, but they would all soon learn where Myst had come from. He was right, she was no ordinary wolf. Although she wasn’t anyone’s pet, she was very domesticated, having lived with others for many years. She was a very special animal and Chelsea had named her right. The elves in the Hidden Forest knew her well.