Page 1 of After the Fall

PROLOGUE

The sun setin waves of orange and gold, as water rippled along the shoreline. Camp was at the base of Whispering Falls, which covered everything in a light mist.

The girl pushed further into the woods, following the small, muddy footprints. Away from the thundering cascade of the falls, the forest was eerie and silent, except for the cicadas that buzzed overhead. A bald eagle soared above the pine trees, vanishing into their emerald canopy. She loved it in these woods. Her family’s annual trip to Stirling County was the highlight of her summer.

“Sunbeam.” Her dad’s voice echoed through the trees. “We’re ready for you.”

The fire was raging by the time she returned. She curled her tiny frame into the worn camping chair and reached for a marshmallow. Her mother passed her a long tree branch, and she shoved the gooey treat through the end. “Thanks,” she said, extending the branch over the fire, careful not to get too close to the sparks.

“Where did you run off to?” Her father seemed more curious than concerned.

“There was a fawn,” she grinned. “I tried to follow it, but the tracks disappeared into the bush.”

Her dad’s forehead wrinkled. “I hope you didn’t stray too far from camp. We’re in Bigfoot territory. It’s not safe for a nine-year-old to wander alone out here.”

“Honey.” Her mother used the tone that she knew meant ‘enough’. “Don’t scare her with more Bigfoot stories. Last summer, she had a hard time falling asleep at night.”

The girl shook her head vigorously, her pigtails bouncing back and forth. “I love Dad’s stories. And I’m nine now.” She pulled her stick from the fire and blew out the flames, revealing a perfectly browned marshmallow.

“Hmm.” The man brushed his hand through his thick, dark hair and stared into the dancing orange flames. He’d been growing a moustache that summer. The girl thought it made him look smart, like Monica’s boyfriend onFriends, but for some reason, her mom hated it. Even now, she could see her mom scowling at the furry caterpillar on his face.

“Well, if you think you can handle it, then I suppose we have time for a Bigfoot story. But then it’s off to bed with you.” The caterpillar moved against his lips as he spoke and the girl had to stifle a giggle.

She smashed the marshmallow in between two graham crackers, then stuck a piece of Hershey’s chocolate inside to complete the s’more. “But it’s still daylight,” she whined.

The dad’s eyes narrowed. “Do you remember what happens to kids who don’t listen to their parents out here?”

“Yeah, yeah,” she sighed. “Bigfoot will take me from the tent and bring me back to his dark, musty cave where my bed will be the dirt, and I’ll have to eat rodents.” The girl rolled her eyes to show that she didn’t believe his Bigfoot stories, and took a giant bite of her s’more. She sighed appreciatively, thinking about how much better a s’more tasted than squirrel probably did.

“Well, yes. But you should also know that Bigfootespeciallyloves…” he lowered his voice, “pigtails.”

The mom laughed, a tinkling melody. “Oh, don’t listen to your father. There’s no such thing as Bigfoot.”

“Oh, there most certainly is.” He leaned closer to his family, the flames dancing off his eyes. The girl stared into them, mesmerized, as she munched on her s’more and listened to enchanted tales of the imaginary creature.

After ten minutes, the girl couldn’t hold in her yawn. She tried her best to hide it, but with no success. Her mother glanced at her Timex watch and sighed. “That’s it for story time tonight. It’s time for bed. I’ll tuck you in. Say good night to your father.”

The girl’s eyes darted around their campsite. Her dad was such a rapt storyteller that she hadn’t noticed the last of daylight fade away. Other than the remnants of their fire, camp was bathed in darkness. “But…” She glanced at her dad, her eyes wide.

“Don’t worry,” he chuckled. “I’ll always be close by, ready to protect my two best girls from Bigfoot. Always. Cross my heart,” he said, making a cross with his fingers over his chest.

He rose from the camping chair and leaned down to kiss the girl on her forehead. “Good night, Sunbeam. Sweet dreams.”

Her mom used a flashlight to light the path to their tent. The girl hesitated outside the closed tent flap, nervous about what scary things lay in wait.

Her mother’s warm hand covered hers. “It’s okay to be scared, honey. But they’re just silly stories that your dad made up. There’s nothing to be afraid of in these woods.”

The girl’s shoulders relaxed and they unzipped the tent. She crawled inside the warm sleeping bag. “I’m sorry I got scared after I promised I wouldn’t. If I meet Bigfoot one day, I’ll be brave.” She puffed out her chest.

“I think Bigfoot will be more scared of you,” the mom laughed. “Here.” She switched on the lantern hanging from the roof, putting it on the dimmest setting. “This should keep away any bad dreams until we join you.”

“Thanks, Mom. Good night,” the girl whispered, her eyes starting to shut.

“Sweet dreams, Harper.”

ONE

WYATT

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