Into the Forest Shadows Read Online Free

Green-Thrush, how are you today? Feeling better?
Oh, the flowers have come back!"
    Kate held her tongue as they quickly walked
back to the cottage. She didn't agree. Mom married Father, hadn't
she?
    She couldn't help eying the path behind them.
No movement or odd shadows, but she knew. Something was still out
there watching them, keeping the bunts quiet.
    The bunts looked up as she and Grandma came
in. Kate cringed at how many more were under the furniture. "I
hoped they would go outside."
    "No problem. Go put the crate in the lab.
I'll have tea ready for us in a jiffy."
    Kate carried the crate down the hall, moving
the boxes she'd barricaded the hall with her foot. She retuned to
pick up the basket on the table, taking it into the kitchen. While
setting out the bread, crackers and few off-world spices she saw
the prescription bottle.
    The bottle bothered her. The front of it said
something she could hardly sound out. She eyed Grandma as she
readied the tea. Grandma didn't move like she felt unwell.
    Kate held out the bottle, "This is from your
doctor. Apparently you are supposed to take one right away."
    Grandma picked up the tea tray, squinting at
it as she passed. "I didn't ask my Doctor to send anything."
    "I guess he thought you needed it anyway,"
Kate said.
    "Take it back to him. I don't need anything
other than what I have here. The forest has an answer for what ails
me." Grandma took the tea to the table next to her chair in the
living room.
    Kate let her hand drop, the bottle of pills
untouched. She should have known Grandma would refuse them. Leave
it to Uncle to make her drop the big surprise on Grandma. Kate
didn't appreciate being put in the middle. Now she would also be in
trouble for not getting Grandma to take her first dosage.
Definitely a no-win situation.
    Getting even for this morning wouldn't be
enough. Kate would have to come up with something much more
creative and long-lasting.
     
     
     
    CHAPTER
THREE
     
    She slipped the bottle into an inside pocket
of her cape and sat down on a chair where two bunts rubbed noses
underneath. She muttered under her breath, "Behave down there."
    Grandma passed Kate the cup, "This is brand
new. I've found several highly beneficial elements in it. I might
even pass it on to a bio-tech firm for medicinal purposes."
    Kate took a cautious sniff, "Does that mean
it tastes horrible?"
    "Of course not. It tastes a little different
than what you might be used to, but it's rather refreshing. Now,
tell me what you've been doing with yourself."
    Kate held the cup on her lap to let it cool
down a little. A war brewed in her. She suspected Uncle of wanting
Grandma to come into the city where he could control her. Perhaps
even force her to retire.
    At the same time she wanted Grandma to come,
to have someone completely on her side. Uncle Travis would find the
two of them a united front against him, a force he couldn't easily
push aside or manipulate. And maybe they could talk a little sense
in Mom.
    Time to just ask. "Grandma, are you sure you
wouldn't like to come for a visit, just for a short time? You know,
interact with other people?"
    Grandma finished taking a sip of her tea and
then set it down beside her. Her steady gaze pinned Kate to the
chair. "What is this about, dear?"
    Kate shrugged, "I just thought it would be
nice. I could show you the new fields and the fishermen have a new
boat. And you could join us for dinner. That would be really nice.
I could actually have a conversation with someone for a
change!"
    "You know a certain someone and I don't get
along. And I hear he's been asked to dinner a lot lately."
    Kate grinned, "Exactly! Two against two."
    Grandma sighed and picked up her tea cup to
take another sip, "I get plenty of interaction through the
communication link-up. You would be surprised at how much I know is
going on in the city. And then there are the Gatherers traveling
through the area once in a while. Plus, I have your visits to look
forward to."
    So much