Under Oak Tree Novels & Stories

DOMINIC The oak tree was smaller than I expected. I stood on the corner of Cherry Lane at twenty past twelve, in a borrowed coat and a grey cap, looking at a green school gate and an old tree beside it. The withered old leaves covered the pavement and behind the brick, children were shouting. “This is it” I said to myself. “No one is looking at me.”

At last it dipped low, guiding the child toward a solitary tree at the heart of the garden—an ancient oak, twisted and gnarled, its bark split open like scars. Amilek halted before it. His chest rose and fell, but not with breath of his own; his body seemed only a vessel waiting for command. The owl landed silently upon a crooked branch overhead, talons clutching the wood with slow, deliberate pressure. The garden held its breath. Not a cricket stirred, not a breeze touched the leaves. Amilek stood still as stone, his white eyes fixed upon the dark hollow in the tree's trunk…waiting. He was motionless before the oak. For a long moment, there was only silence.

Mile back through woods, Old Oak that scattered me stood. Old Oak that scattered me was big, bigger than any tree in Wolf Creek, bigger than any tree in White Village woods, trunk as wide as three cabins, bark black not brown, roots above ground like white wolves sleeping, branches dead but not dead, reaching up to northern lights green pink white. Old Oak that scattered me had hole in middle where it threw me. Hole where it had thrown me into circle of white wolves who tore my fur dress and white circle burned Harlan. Hole that sealed behind me after I went through mile of frozen woods that should kill Guardians who break scatter.

" I hung the cardboard on the refrigerator, right in the center, next to Matthew’s old drawings and the Polaroid photos of our messy and wonderful family. Our giant oak tree. With branches that stretch in every direction, roots that intertwine deeply in the soil, and dense foliage that protects everyone who lives in its shade. Imperfect. Complex. Real. Ours. And, for the first time, Nolah seemed truly at peace with it.

But I just shrug it off. “Daddy, what’s that huge tree?” Andre voice draws Carlton’s Attention from me. All eyes trails where he’s pointing at and there’s gigantic tree at a far end of the forest. Even as we are standing up on a wooden bridge it’s still so tall and has its branch sprouting out everywhere. The tree is so magnificent and would really get anyone bedazzled. The oak tree. “That’s the oak tree.” Carlton says and someone squeals beside Andre. Griffin. Then with his eyes widen in amazement he exclaims, “The royal tree of the forest!”

CHAPTER 3 He led me across the lawn towards a large oak tree. My toes sunk into the soft loam of the yard, feeling the lush grass caressing my toes as I walked naked towards the tree. The boughs of the aged giant swayed across the sky as though trying to sweep the clouds away so that it could be reunited with the sun once again. “Hug the tree, slut. Your body needs to be tightly pressed against it, and your legs need to be spread.”

MAXINE We made our way to the old oak tree near the lake. The moon was hanging low in the sky. It cast a pale glow on the water. I could see the massive oak tree in the distance, its branches twisting like fingers. This was where it was all going to end. We reached the base of the tree. The ground beneath our feet is uneven and covered in fallen leaves. Mr. Grayson pulled out the scroll from the small box containing the last piece. He brought the other pieces from his bag one after the other.

I made my approach slowly towards the nearest tree in the open. My heart stopped for what seemed like forever. The wind rustled the thick grass. Drops of sweat are tracing my forehead. I was within striking distance of the tree now. Not too far away, I could also make out the other tower that needs protecting. I must get there without being caught or ensnared. I got in a hurry and started to creep up the tree. While making my way to the tree, I am slashed by the sharp edges of some tall grass. Then... I ducked for cover under a shady oak tree like a seasoned outdoorsman. It has a superb canopy and is a mature tree. Green and woodsy aromas fill the air.

How many times had they put themselves in danger while I was too focused on war plans and elder meetings to notice? I stayed far enough back that they wouldn't hear me. Close enough to intervene if something went wrong. The trees grew thicker. The light grew dimmer. Shadows stretched long and dark across the forest floor. Still, the children kept running. Finally, they stopped. A massive oak tree loomed ahead. Ancient and gnarled. Its roots twisted up from the ground like frozen snakes. Its branches spread wide, blocking out what little remained of the evening sky. Carl and Karin dropped to their knees beneath it.

Those woods became our kingdom. I remember the day Ava decided to teach me how to climb the old oak tree that stood in the center of our usual meeting spot. It was massive, its trunk so wide it would take three of us holding hands to circle it. The bark was rough and gray, covered in places with soft green moss that felt like velvet under our fingers.