Matt McPhee

Maisel’s Neighbourhood Watch Log: September 17^th, 2023 – 11:46 AM – Ravine

The section of the ravine we fell into was so steep that neither Sasheen nor I could grab hold of something to stop our fall. I kept trying to grab hold of branches or roots, but either they slipped out of my hand or broke off. We half-slid, half-rolled down the forested hill, eventually coming to a stop in a small creek at the bottom.

As I lay on my back, partially in the water, I realized that we were in a portion of Spotter’s Ravine that Sasheen and I would often walk by. Past the creek, there was a trail through the forest that led from one end of the ravine to the other. At this time of year, the leaves were just beginning to fall, and the forest always smelled damp. I loved walking through the ravine and hearing the wind softly rustle the trees. It was easy to feel like you were completely alone, even when there were houses right above the ridge of the hill.

I slowly sat up and pulled myself out of the water. Every part of my body was sore, and I’m sure I was completely covered in mud. Sasheen groaned beside me, and I felt a flare of anger rush through me. It was her fault that we were at the bottom of this ravine and had almost certainly lost those butterflies. I didn’t want to look at her, so I turned to face the other direction.

Part of me felt like I should say something, but I didn’t know what. How could she think that I made up the fact that the butterflies were duplicating? I mean, that’s low. I would expect that from an adult, as they don’t know any better, but from Sasheen, someone who’s seen everything I have… Pretty hurtful. The other part of me felt maybe it was unfair to drag her into this mission before I even really knew what we were dealing with… I was replaying the past hour in my mind, and… Maybe I did imagine seeing the butterflies duplicate. I mean, what if my mom and Sasheen were right and I hadn’t noticed the second butterfly at first, so that when it “appeared, I just assumed it had duplicated?

I was spiralling. Did I want the Neighbourhood Watch to come back so badly that my brain was willing to trick me into believing that the supernatural had returned? What if that’s exactly what happened? I felt my cheeks grow hot with embarrassment. I felt so silly; I saw two butterflies and forced my friend to abandon whatever she was doing to go on this goose chase.

I was still unwilling to look at her. Now, because I was sure my face was red.

Was Sasheen just being nice to me? It was unlike her to make something up, even if it was meant to make someone feel better.

I turned around and saw four teal butterflies fluttering a few feet in front of Sasheen.

It was amazing to witness something supernatural happen right before your eyes. It was the same feeling I got when I would stand up on the edge of the Coral Cliffs and overlook the Pacific Ocean. From on top of the cliffs, you could look out over the ocean for miles; they were so high up that the water crashing against the rocks below looked almost peaceful. That was one of those places that felt magical, even though it was perfectly normal. My dad used to take me up to the top of those cliffs and tell me how, from the air, you could barely tell that you were high up. The view from his plane flattened everything, so they just looked like waves on the beach.

It was all I could get out. I was still stunned.

The butterflies began fluttering up to the treetops, and it wasn’t long before I could barely see them against the sky. For a moment, I thought I had lost them, but then I spotted them again, and where there were four butterflies, now there were eight.

The butterflies flew away from us, deeper into the forest.

I didn’t want her to finish that sentence. I didn’t want to consider the place she was about to mention.

I couldn’t go back. Not now, maybe not ever. I knew that I needed to steer Sasheen in another direction, as she wouldn’t be satisfied having her idea shot down without another one being offered in return.

Sasheen was looking off in the direction that the butterflies had gone and didn’t respond.

She turned to face me. I couldn’t read the expression on her face.

– Maisel