Chirp, chirp.

The sound of birds drew my attention away from focusing on the spot I was sure I would be able to find my next meal. I had been waiting in the woods for what seemed like a very long time, without seeing a deer. I didn’t mind though, because I loved being outside and I was certain that one would come my way soon. In the meantime, at least I had the birds to keep me company— which is much better than human companionship, in my opinion.

If anyone were to ask me— which no one ever would, since I make it a point not to talk to people— I would say that there were few better feelings in life than being hunkered down in the woods surrounded by thick evergreens dusted with powdery white snow.  The occasional sound of these birds taking flight or saying hello to me, or a lone wolf howling like a freight train whistle, were the only ones that ever broke the welcoming silence.  Making my home in the woods had turned out to be one of the best decisions that I could have ever made.

The woods had provided me with everything that I could need or want.  The fertile soil had made it possible for a small garden of vegetables to grow, even in the cold climate.  And not having much foot traffic counted as a huge plus because I never had to worry about my crops getting trampled underfoot by unruly or adventurous children or hikers. 

The woods themselves had provided a vast array of wildlife such as deer, rabbit, and different birds that made for delicious main courses. Pairing them with fresh picked vegetables selected from my garden transformed a normal meal into a feast fit for a king— though I would hardly consider myself one.  There was something very rewarding about sitting down to a meal fully supplied from a day's trip made from both the forest and my own backyard.

I had grown really fucking comfortable in my solitude.  I loved the fact that there was nothing that I needed civilization for.  Indeed, there wasn’t anything that I need another person for at all.

Even the cold seemed to provide some sort of comfort.  I knew that it was chilly because each breath let out a cloud of smoke from my nose and mouth, respectively.  But the cold didn't bother me much when I was out hunting.  I focused my mind and energy on being completely still, one with the woods, so to speak. 

I stayed completely still, focusing my gaze through the lens of my rifle, listening carefully to nature for signs of life that might provide me with the perfect opportunity to hunt a delicious entrée.  I wasn’t sure how long I sat there, listening to the wind blow in sharp bursts, whistling through the trees, making snow fall in drifts from the tops of the trees. 

I didn’t even bother to dust off my head and shoulders that were being covered in the cold sprinkling of snow that fell with each gust of wind. I was deep in concentration, listening to the sounds around me.

Suddenly, I heard the loud snap of a nearby stick.  I perked up, scanning the area around me for what I assumed must have been a deer or other large animal.  My heart began to beat quickly as I thought of all the tender deer meat that I would soon be feasting on.  I spun around in a complete circle, my eye fixed on the lens of my rifle, looking for the source of the noise. 

I couldn’t see anything.  I started to get a little confused because I was sure that I’d heard something move.  I began to search frantically, hoping that I wouldn’t miss my chance to take home a great specimen.  It only took the slightest movement to scare off the majestic creatures that made their home in the woods.  They were not used to seeing any human beings, so they were sure to run and hide if they had an idea that a predator was nearby.

My mind went back to one of the first times that I had gone out into the woods to hunt.  It had been a very long time since I had hunted, and I seemed to be all thumbs and left feet for some reason.  I dropped my rifle and it let out a shot that seemed to echo for miles.  A flock of birds flew away from a nearby tree. 

I had sat there for hours that day and there was no other movement detected in the woods.  I went home that night cold, exhausted, hungry, and disappointed.  I vowed that I would be more careful from that point on, and I had been very good about keeping my word to myself, up until that very moment.

Just as my fear began to mount at the prospect of losing out on a great hunt, I heard something that put even more fear into my heart: the sound of people in the woods.  My heart sunk a little as I felt my hopes of having a successful hunt slipping through my fingers.

Letting out an exasperated sigh, I abandoned my hiding spot between the trees.  I needed to get these people away from this area so that I could get back to hunting in peace and quiet.  I moved closer to the voices, growing more irritated with each step.  They needed to go— and fast— before they scared off all the animals in the area.

As I was about to call out to get their attention, I immediately recognized who they were.  It was Harlow, Jensen, and Ramsey Bradford— “the Bradford brothers,” as everyone knew them as, and Darren King.  It appeared that I’d stumbled upon a reunion of sorts.

I didn’t want to see them at all.  I had spent the last few years avoiding all people and they were definitely people that I would rather not see.  Given how terribly things had gone when we all worked together as SEALs, I would be okay if I never saw any of them ever again.  So, the fact that they were so close to me now, just yards away from where I was hiding, was an unhappy coincidence, to say the least.  I began gathering my things quietly so that I could slip away silently and undetected.

Then, I heard a voice that I didn’t recognize.

“How much farther are we going?” asked a sweet voice.

Who could this be? I thought.

I looked through the trees to see who was responsible for the voice, and my breath caught in my throat.  Standing in the middle of the woods with my old associates was the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on. 

I noticed her light blue eyes— made almost purple by the sunlight— right away.  They were in direct contrast with her dark brown hair that framed her round face.  I stood as if I were in a trance for a few minutes, completely floored by her beauty.

Snap out of it, I told myself.  Shaking my head like I was trying to shake the image of her right out of my mind, I quickly decided that it wasn’t worth risking an interaction with the Bradfords or King all for the glimpse at a pretty face, even one as strikingly beautiful as she was.

There were plenty of other women in this world and, if I ever gave myself the chance to see one, I would just have to turn my attention to another.  I knew that my chances of seeing another woman out here in the woods, especially one that matched her beauty or even came close, was slim to none, but it was a chance that I was going to have to take. 

It was such a shame that she was with one of the groups of people that I would rather not see again. And it was just my fucking luck that the only woman I had seen in a long time— not to mention the most beautiful I’d seen ever— was with them.