Beating Heart

Jasper's P.O.V

We live in a house on the lake. It's pretty big. It fits me, my siblings, and my father. Yeah, no mother. Blame it on drunks.

She got into a huge car crash because someone was drunk. If you're drunk don't fucking drive! Sorry, excuse my language, please.

My house is near the woods, too. Every Saturday I take Jo out for a little adventure. Looking for salamanders, frogs, worms, certain birds, and deer. We love going in the spring because we just might be able to see a fawn.

I love the woods but there's one thing I'm very aware of there. A man. Let me tell you.

*Flashback*

It was a warm summers day and I decided to go out into the woods, alone. Of course I had a rifle, my father makes me have it with me at all times when I'm out there. Anyway, I come down to the little pond Jayson found. It's a nice clear one, where you can see the many colorful rocks on the floor.

I decide to sit down by a nice oak tree and just relax. Then I hear a rustle of leaves. I turn my head to the sound. There stands a boy. His hair black, his brown eyes staring at me. I panicked and pointed my rifle at him.

"This is private property!" I yell at him. He looks scared yet brave.

"I won't hurt you." He whispers, the he flees away. I thought he was scared of me calling the police or shooting him.

*Flashback End*

Anywho, so that's why I don't go down there often. I'm afraid of the guy killing me or something. Although he did seem a little trusting he still scared the fucking shit out of me.

"Jazz! Wake up!" Jolynn shakes me awake. My alarm clock is blaring in my ear and I throw it to the ground, which stops the noise.

"What time is it?" I ask, taking my blanket off of me.

"Eleven-thirty!" She squeals. "The cousins are coming soon!" Oh yeah that's right. Today is the little family get together and our cousins, Kyla and John are coming. They're both my age or a little younger.

"God dang it, Lynn! Why didn't you wake me up earlier?" I run to my bathroom.

"Dad said you could have extra time to sleep." She says with her cute little voice, trying to show that she's innocent.

"Ugh, okay." I say, then close the door to my bathroom quickly so I can take a quick shower.
As the water pours down I sing. I sing random songs that come to mind. Even if they're annoying and stuff.

"Jasper! Turns out Will is coming!" Jolynn squeals outside of the door. Will is our cousin, about her age and they have the best imaginations. They once used a tube as a pirate ship and only one of them could be in it at one time.

"That's cool. Now get out of my room so I can get dressed in there." I say. I hear her feet scurry off to my bedroom door and the door shut.

I walk out of the bathroom in my robe and I quickly pick out an outfit, a white tank top, denim jacket, and denim shorts. After putting that on I put my hair up in a messy bun atop my head.

When I'm down in the kitchen, no one is there to greet me. I grab a granola bar out of the box and throw the wrapper away, before entering the outside.

I see Jo and dad on the dock fishing while Jayson is getting his pole ready. This is our normal morning. Everyone either fishes or does something productive outside.

"David!" I hear my grandmother scream from behind me. Of course she's yelling to my dad. I notice no one is with her, which isn't unusual because she's always the first to arrive.

"Jasper!" She hugs me and kisses my cheek. I absolutely hate her kisses but I love her love. "Jolynn! Jayson!" Grandma squeals, then hugs them.

After she greets everyone, her and I sit and talk about old lady stuff, like knitting, which I do not give a shit about but its just something to talk about I guess.

But while she's talking I notice, Chaplin, our Maine coon cat run into the woods.

"Chaps on the loose!" I say, running after him, into the woods.

Notes

Into the woods!