Seven Years Later...

"Come on guys! The bus is gonna be here any second!" Daisy called from the bottom of the stairs. The family dog Hu was rubbing his big head against her legs, his way of begging for the bacon she was currently eating. The forest ranger held her plate out of his reach while she stood there, waiting for the kids. Tiny was first. The eleven year old came running down the stairs with his shoes untied. A little bit later, teen Chloe finally arrived, walking down staring at her phone screen.

"The bus is here!" Daisy's father Pops called from the front porch. Shoving a piece of bacon in her mouth, Daisy ran out to the kitchen. Hugging Tiny after she gave him his lunch, she ruffled the hair on his head playfully as she pointed out, "Have a great first day of school sweetie! Your grandfather is gonna pick you up after school, okay?" Smiling as he got a kiss on the forehead, Tiny replied, "Okay Momma. Love you!" He raced out the door while Chloe followed him, still staring at her phone. She would've forgotten her lunch if Daisy hadn't handed it to her.

"Bye! See ya later kiddos!" Pops declared, waving at the kids as they passed him. Daisy and Hu stepped out onto the porch and waved with the old man as the pair got on the bus. Watching it turn the corner, Daisy grabbed her baseball cap. "Have a good day Dad. Don't forget to pick up the kids at three, okay?" she reminded her father. Rolling his wheelchair down the handmade ramp, Pops followed his daughter over to her truck as he remarked, "I'll remember. You have a good day sweetheart. Let me know if you see something fascinating in those woods."

"Dad," Daisy pointed out, "What could possibly be in those woods other than the animals?"