A little bit of the past.

It's 4:30 am when I decide to leave home. Gab told me to 'fuck off' when I asked her for her help. I know she doesn't like to get up early but where did my 11 year old cousin learn that kind of language?

It's the first hours of light of the day and the only ones when there aren't anyone working. I am searching the trees for nests before the trees get put down. But I happen to forget that without Gab coming here is useless. I couldn't climb a tree to save my life.

I end up just wondering around the woods until I realise I am not alone here.

- I couldn't guess you were here at this hour. - I tell him. - it even seems like you never leave this woods. - I met this guy here around the time I started to work as a lumberjack. I happened to get him with his bow. For some reason we became friends after. - You also scared me, you know. Gab told me she saw a pack of wolves coming south when she climbed. You better be cautious.

- That's explains your appealing smell. - I joke. - If you need something I can try to get you some. Gab knows some places you could have your stuff traded no questions asked. Dude, you really eat wolves? What do they taste like? - I ask curious. - oh! Thanks, bro. My cousin told me to fuck off when I asked her help this morning.

- I actually never ate cow before. - I say embarrassed. - But the other day Gab got us wild rabbit. She told me she stole it from a hunter in the woods. - I point at the trees I didn't mark as checked on the previous day. - Eating rabbit seems weir, they aare so small. - I say just for saying.

- Wouldn't it be bad for you? Another hunter, i mean. It means competition, right? And if he doesn't like you he could turn you in. Aren't you worried? - I ask him. Sometimes I really worry for this guy's safety. I point at another tree. - I'm sure I saw a couple leaving this one taking turns, yesterday.

-Does the nest have eggs or already birds?!- I ask. - Are there any of the parents there? - seriously how could that climb it so easily. The trees really seemed to hate me everytime I tried to climb them...

- Bring them down! - I tell him. - And be careful. - I prepare my bag to transfer them safely. - If you need help tell me. I can catch Gab I may catch you too if needed. - I say laughing.

- I couldn't eat this little guys. They kind of remind me of my cousin. - I tell him. - you see, small, dark features/ hair and a huge bad temper. You two would get along. - I concluded.

-I know. - I laugh with him. - hey, I have been thinking. Why don't you pass by my house today? You can have a decent meal of not only rat meat or whatever. And your clothes seem to need to be fixed. I can lend you some even. - I say scratching the back of my head.

- Nice! You can help me with the birds also. - I say leading him to the neighborhood. We get there just after my uncle left. I know that because his axe is not on the back of the kitchen door anymore.

I lead him to my bedroom were Gabrielle is still sleeping.

- Don't be too loud. I'm just gonna search for a change of clothes to lend you. You may have a rest if you want to. - I tell him as I hide the birds on the drawer and go to the next one looking for clothes.

After I get what I guess he needs I hand it to him. - Here you go. You can change here. I don't know how luxurious the orphanage was but our restroom is a little house outside. - I say sitting next to my sleeping cousin. - You could help me later to finish the bird nursery I'm building outside.

I mess with Gab's hair while he changes and we discuss the nursery plans.
I feel my cousin move a bit in the bed and she ends up waking up.

- Oh, hey little raven, we woke you up? - I ask.

- Not really.... - she answers scratching her sleepy eyes. - why is that guy naked in my bedroom?

- Oh hey there Gab. - I say, still changing my clothes. - Your cousin invited me in.

Michael should stop bringing every stray he finds in the woods home.

- Yes, but why are you in my bedroom changing to my shirt? - I look at Michael. - You said I could keep that shirt.- I look at the guy again - And really, it doesn't bother you to change in front of a little girl?