Welcome to the woods of Perculi. Now the woods from and outsiders perspective are just simple woods. Boring to explore and see. Except for one small girl. Only thirteen years old. Lucy Laura Denner (mostly called Lulu) lived across the street from Perculi woods her whole life. No one lived in the woods; they were so dense that it would take months just too clear one acre. So they just left the woods alone. She being so young was forbidden to venture into such a place. Though she desperately wanted to be in such a wild place, her life was full of pressure and organization. She longed for disorganization and to once in her life be free. Lulu’s father was the congressmen of New York. So from a young age Lulu was force to be very well behaved. Not that, it was a bad thing. It just forced her to be sheltered.
Until one night her father and mother got into yet another fight. Usually their arguments lasted only a couple seconds. But, tonight was different. For the last hour all Lulu could hear from her room are her parents yelling and doors slamming. She really doesn’t remember the argument. She only remembers hearing three words hate, divorce, and regret. For the next four hours while her parents fought. Those three words ran through her mind. The word regret most of all. Would she regret not having a real childhood? Full of bugs and boys? She considered her options. She felt more than anything that she needed to be in those woods. So she crept out of bed and still wearing her pajamas. She put on flip flops, left the house, and darted across the street. But before she entered her sanctuary a car was flying down the road. The driver hit the break as fast as she could, but it was too late. The young woman had hit Lulu with her car.
Lulu awoke in the hospital. She noticed her parents asleep in separate sides of the hospital room. The room was full of flowers, sun flowers Lulu’s favorite. As her parents woke up. They rushed her with questions. “How are you feeling?” “Are you okay?” “What in the world were you doing outside?” “Why did you leave?” Lulu’s head was spinning. But, all she could think about was the word regret. That word sounded over and over again in her mind. She was in the hospital for five months. Thinking of how much she missed her woods. She had never taken one step in them. But that’s where her heart was. And she was more determined then ever to find out why those woods seemed to be calling out to her.
On the way home from the hospital. Mrs. Dunner explained to Lulu what had happened to the woman that hit her. “Well that witch was put into jail, for attempted murder. Don’t worry sweetie we made sure it was for a long time.” A horror feel over Lulu. “Mother, why it was my fault.” “Oh, don’t be silly sweetie. She shouldn’t have been driving so fast. Now that’s enough about her. I have something to tell you. Your father and I are having some problems. So were going to go on a fifth honeymoon. To try to rekindle some form of love. So Grandma is coming over to baby-sit you.” Lulu was happy. She enjoyed her Grandmother’s company. The reason Lulu could never pin point. But she thinks it’s because her Grandmother always speaks her mind.
“Why hello my darling. I hear you went on a little adventure.” Lulu blushed as her Grandmother entered her house. “I wouldn’t say and adventure Grandma. I only made it half way across the street.” Her Grandmother bent down and looked into her eyes. “An adventure is what you make of it!” That was the end of their conversation because Mr. and Mrs. Dunner walked in before they could finish. “Why hello Mother Dunner.” “Hello Janet, I see your looking, well Hello.” Lulu snickered and Mrs. Dunner shot her a nasty look. Then Mr. Dunner leaned over and kissed his mother on the cheek. “I see you two are still getting along. Now you take care of my little girl mother.” Lulu’s Grandmother nodded and then they were on their way.
“So my dear why did you do it?” Lulu’s little face was flushed. She couldn’t tell her Grandmother the truth. “Lulu now you know you can tell me anything.” “Grandma, the woods is calling to me. I feel it. Is that odd?” Lulu’s Grandmother smiled. “No sweetie, it’s quite normal. Why don’t we go on a little adventure?” Then Lulu ran all through the house. She collected a spare outfit, some food and all essentials in a small red book bag. As she was waiting at the door. Her Grandmother said to her “You must go alone Lulu.” Her crystal blue eyes widened. “Grandma how?” Her Grandmother waddled down the stair’s to the foyer near the door. “You can, I know you can. Just know that the Perculi woods are not as they appear. Here take this. It will keep you safe.” Then her Grandmother scurried into her parents bedroom. Lulu opened her hand to find a golden necklace with a pendant on it. It look like some kind of emerald, with an inscription that Lulu couldn’t read. Lulu put on the necklace and slowly walked out the door and looked both ways before crossing the street.
Lulu was right in front of Perculi woods. When she stopped to pray. “Lord, I know you will be with me. Perfect love casts out all fear. Please God Protect me. Amen”. Then with a renewed sense of confidence. She stepped slowly into the woods. She couldn’t describe how beautiful it was. Even though it was night, the trees shone as if there was some kind of sun light showing through them. They’re tropical birds and rainbows in the mist near the canopy of the trees. “Grandma wasn’t kidding.” Then she saw something fly right in front of her face. She felt the wind of a poison dart fly by her face. “IM SORRY, are you okay.” Luckily the young boy missed. “Miss, I’m sorry I thought you were a grout. Please forgive me.” Lulu slowly stepped back. “Thank God you missed.” “Yes which is uncommonly odd. I don’t miss.” Her eyes widened “Never?” He nodded his head yes. Then he bowed “My name is Christopher Melvin Frune. And I reside in these enchanted forests.” LuLu smiled. “Im Lucy Laura Denner, and I reside right across the street. I think, Im not sure nothings as it seems here.” Christopher nodded his head. “And how did a child as yourself come to be in such a dangerous place?” LuLu gave him a dirty look. “Im no child Im thir – dangerous?” “Your thirteen, wow Im fourteen. And, yes dangerous. We have grouts which are the worst and then just some predators. But don’t worry, if you have some place to stay then you’ll be safe.” LuLu turned around and started walking tword her house. Or so she thought. “Wait, where are you going?” “I need to go home. I have no place to stay.” He looked around. “Oh, well you cant go out that way. Those are the rules. You cant leave the way you came.” LuLu felt tears welling up in her eyes. “Is that why your still here?” He took her by the hand. “Ill explain why Im here, when we get to my place.” LuLu nodded, what choice did she really have?
His little cottage was underground. He had dug a big hole in the ground, and place wood to keep it up. It was actually very nice. And nicest of all, it make LuLu feel safe. “So my dear, did you want to know how I came to be in Perculi?” LuLu nodded yes. “My grandparents lived here before the woods were here. Then they upset a witch. And she cast a spell on the ground. The witch’s name was Perculi. So my parents grew up here, and so did I. My parents recently died, so forgive me for saying this. But, Im happy you’re here. If you weren’t Id be here alone with my four brothers.” LuLu looked at him in shock. “Four, oh I cant stay here. It would be much to crowded.” He chuckled to himself. “We each have our own home. No worries sweetie. Youll meet them.” “Could you be so kind as to use my name. Its Lu-Lu, do you need me to spell it for you?” She flashed him a scarcastic smile. “What are your brothers names and ages?” Christopher sat back in his chair and lit up a cigarette. LuLu put it out. “Josh is the oldest hes 17, Craig is 15, Mitch is 13 just like you, and Carl is 12.” LuLu smiled, then took Christopher’s cigarette box and smashed it on the ground. “Hey, what was that for!?” She smiled while cleaning it up off the floor. “Smoking is a vile habit, that’s morally and physically painful.” He looked around, then directly into her eyes. “Im guessing this is what its like living with a woman.” Then LuLu started to hear synonymous tapping, its pace quickened. LuLu could almost dance to the rhythm. “Ahh good those are my brothers. We always have meals together. You’re a wonderful treat my dear. Uhh I mean LuLu. We havnt seen a women since mother passed away.” As Christopher swung the door open 3 boys trampled on the ground. And one boy, who had more the features of a man. Slowly and confidently walked in. And stared directly at LuLu. “You are not a boy.” LuLu laughed at him. Then the whole house became silent. “Wow don’t you pick up things quickly. Im Lucy Laura Denner. Call me LuLu.” She stuck out her hand. The room was silent. Then in a shocking moment he shuck her hand. “Josh Frune, It’s a pleasure to meet you little lady.” “What is it with you boys and giving me nicknames. My name is Lu-Lu, don’t make me have you call me Lucy."
LuLu spent four wonderful days with the Frune boys. Playing with them, taking care of them, and perhaps being admired by them as well. Until one day when Mitch and LuLu were playing by a creek. They were pay wrestling and her Grandmother’s pendant was shone in the daylight. “Where did you, how could you?” Mitch took LuLu’s wrist rather forcefully and ran as fast as his legs could carry him back to Josh’s house. He burst through the door. With little LuLu still panting for air. “Josh, she needs to find her way out. She wears the witch’s crest.” LuLu was terrified. They five boys flung in and out. Then Josh took her. “You must be careful. That crest is the envy of every grout. The grout’s would do anything to have it. They own these woods, they own the trees, and the animals. Beware we don’t all support them but some of the traitors will give you up. Do not trust anyone.” Then he patted her back and attempted to send her on her way. “Wait Josh, we cant send her alone.” Christopher shouted. “Would you like to go with her? Be my guest.” Then Christopher took her bag. “I will.” LuLu squeezed onto Christopher’s body. “Thank-you.” Josh’s face looked almost stunned. “Then I will accompany you. As for the rest of you. Don’t leave my house. Stay safe.” Then the three slowly walked into the darkness of the forest.
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