Free Into the Forest Shadows by J.A. Marlow

mixed-up
limbo between active participation and an observer, "I said I would
help. This is to help me remember later, right?"
    "Later, and only if something happened to me
and you need to warn the Watcher."
    Kate frowned. "I've never even talked to the
creature. I think Uncle Travis has, though."
    Grandma smiled. "It's just as well you don't
get along with your Uncle Travis. I haven't quite figured it out,
but I believe he's involved."
    "Involved with who?" Kate asked, her head not
thinking right. In fact she felt a little bit dizzy. "You asked for
my help, but so far this isn't making any sense."
    "Involved with the Shadow Creatures. You
might have seen them once in a while, lurking in the shadows. They
don't like direct daylight, which is where they get their name, and
some of them are far too intelligent for their own good. For your
future self to understand, the spray you just encountered is the
final trigger to become a Watcher's helper."
    Grandma rubbed a bunt's furry head to her
forehead with her eyes closed. She reached out to put it to Kate's
forehead. Kate flinched away, but Grandma grabbed her on the upper
arm and held her still. "A bunt won't hurt you."
    The touch of the humming bunt on her forehead
set her entire brain tingling.
    "This is now passed to you. With the
activation of these memories you now take my place as a Helper,"
Grandma said. "As a helper, the Watcher will listen to you as well
as many others of the forest. Find him. A bunt will help you
transfer the information in a way the Watcher will understand. Now
I will tell you a part of what I've learned."
    The bunt settled on her lap. Kate looked down
at it with new eyes. For a creature smaller than a house-cat, it
packed a mental wallop. It chittered at her and hopped down to the
floor, running with its tail straight up to hide under one of the
chairs.
    "I'm living longer than I should," Grandma
said. Kate's eyes flew to her, "It's been noticed. I've had a
breakthrough in boosting human immune systems and I anticipate
other breakthroughs. The Shadow Creatures have noticed, and are
very unhappy about humans living longer than they already do. To
them we are the ultimate interloper.
    "I'm now a threat, and the Shadow Creatures
have only one way of dealing with threats, and that is to destroy
them. If it were only the Shadow Creatures I wouldn't be so
worried. But there are rumors of newcomers to the forest, allying
with the Shadow Creatures."
    With her mind clearing, Kate thought of
something Grandma said earlier, "Is Uncle Travis a part of
this?"
    "He's noticed my long spry life, as well,
insisting I back up all my files in the company archive where he'd
have access to them. I won't do that, not until I know more."
    Kate groaned. "He needs to just go!"
    "I can't fire him yet. He's a link to what is
going on." Grandma refilled her tea cup. "The Shadow Creatures have
a new leader, one who is subverting their purpose of servants of
the forest. They are now predators and nothing is safe. As I learn
more we will have more of these sessions. This is what I needed
your help for, Kate. If anything happens to me, you will need to do
all you can to stop this madness."
    Grandma's voice faded out. Kate closed her
eyes. Awareness of Ayden's supporting arms reappeared. She felt a
wet flick on her chin.
    Kate opened her eyes to find Bunbun sitting
on her upper chest, licking her chin and humming in
encouragement.
    "Bunbun got loose again," Kate croaked.
    "You with us again? What happened?" Ayden
asked.
    Kate reached up to grab Bunbun. The soft warm
little body felt so comforting that she held and petted him. The
once-suppressed memory of Grandma filled her mind.
    And with it a rage bubble up. "Grandma did
something to me. And I agreed to it!"
    With a beep the housebot settled to the
ground, "Memory systems erasing. Shutting down."
    Kate glared down at the housebot. She took a
deep breath. With Bunbun in one hand, and another on Ayden's arm
she insisted on getting up