Ch 1 Meetings and captures

      Ava had no idea how this situation could even be happening. She lay crouching under a dense covering of brush, shaking in complete terror. She was frozen to this spot, just as rooted as the bushes that surrounded her. This day had started out with a completely normal hike in the woods, although getting lost, and now the earth was shaking around her. He…at least she assumed it was a he…was getting very close.

"Little one, where are you? You know I saw you. You should come out, I don't want to accidently step on you."

        The words rattled through the overhead branches, created by the huge whisper. Ava shivered again in fear. Giants were not supposed to exist. This had to be some bizarre dream. However, even if it were a dream, Ava was still concerned about the current situation as if it were really happening. The giant continued to search for her, creating the same earthquakes with each footstep. His plea of not wanting to step on her didn't exactly make her want to run out and give herself up. Instead it just instilled much more fear within her. Why was he so insistent on finding her? What did he want with her?
Another giant footstep broke up this train of thought, crushing a nearby tree and flattening the brush. Although Ava had already been panicking, now her fear rose to an all time high. Even if she did get lucky and he gave up, he was far too close and it wouldn't be soon enough.

"Little one, I know your close by. I won't hurt you, I promise." He continued to whisper. Ava at least guessed it was a whisper. It was still loud enough to reverberate through her body. The giant was crouched down, with his arms on his knees, poking around in nearby bushes. He shifted and Ava was covered by his shadow. She had to do something! If not he would surely step on her, whether it be by accident or not.
Cole couldn't understand why this girl wouldn't come out. He actually wasn't aware of her until he heard her scream and it was then he saw her dart into the nearby group of trees. He wondered if she knew that this small cluster of trees was surrounded by nothing but flat fields. She didn't have a prayer of getting away without him finding her. He had already told her that he wouldn't hurt her and he was trying his best to sound gentle enough. Cole actually didn't know very much about humans, although he was extremely curious about them. They were so rare that they were almost mythical. He realized his size was probably a little scary for the tiny being, but he was too preoccupied with his curiosity to dwell very long on that. Suddenly, he spotted her. It was hard to see at first, but somewhere by his right foot he noticed her darting out of a bit of cover. Whoops, he had been a little close. He almost laughed, but suppressed it so he didn't scare her more. Where was she going?

    Crap Crap Crap. Ava was internally spazzing out and blind with fear. She dragged herself up and just ran. It was the best plan she had. If she stayed any longer surely he would move soon, and it would probably be right on top of her. Unfortunately the giant immediately noticed her movement. She heard him coming toward her, branches snapping in his wake. Then, as if Ava was stuck in a nightmare where you're frozen in place, she was unable to move. Frantically she thrashed about and looked around. Her clothes had become tangled in some of the thick bushes. She was a sitting, and very helpless, duck. Even more frenzied, she looked up, and screamed.

"Shhh. There is no need to be scared. I said I wouldn't hurt you. Let me get you untangled." Cole was worried she would hurt herself. Ava saw his shadow fall over her again, and any future screams became stuck in her throat as he loomed over her. Some trees prevented his face from coming any closer, but his monstrous hand continued to come down upon her. He quickly looped his fingers around her waist and scooped her up from the bushes. Ava's stomach dropped as he pulled her up through the air, out of the forest. Now she fought between two instinctual actions. She wanted to fight his grip with everything she had, but at the same time she wanted to cling to it because of the terrifying heights she was brought her. The giant leaned back on his heels and brought the squirming human to face level.

"Quit squirming, I don't want you to make me drop you."

       He readjusted his grip so that Ava was completely locked within his fist, although he made sure it was gentle enough. Now not only terror, but sheer intimidation of the huge face that filled her vision, also caused her throat to lock up. The giant had a satisfied look on his face.

"Finally! You put up quite a fuss. I just wanted to have a better look at you. I have never seen a human before."

Ava remained speechless.

"Well, my name is Cole. You don't have to look so scared. What is your name?"

Still not a squeak from Ava. Her head was spinning and she felt pretty nauseas. Cole warmly smiled and brought his other hand up to Ava. She felt his huge finger crash down on her and begin to ruffle her hair and rub her back. She was pushed forward from impact.

"Ha, sorry, I'll be a gentler. I can't get over how small you are! I'm just trying to make you feel better. Now what is your name?"

"Ava! Now please let me go! Let me down!" She finally found her voice.
Cole looked down at the tiny human struggling in his hand. She was so cute. He couldn't just leave her here and he didn't want to either. Obviously he didn't know of any human civilizations nearby since he had never before seen a human. It could be very dangerous for something this small to be walking around by itself. Cole's curiosity wasn't yet satisfied either.

"Where do you live Ava? I could take you back, it seems as though it would be pretty far for you."

"I don't know. I was lost when you found me. Just put me down!"

"I can't just put you down. It is too dangerous out here.  I have to at least keep you safe until we figure out where you came from."

      His words put a sick feeling into Ava's stomach. She didn't think he was just going to let her go, but it made her feel worse when he confirmed it. The hilarious part of the statement was that he was going to be the one keeping her safe.

"You're what is dangerous! What are you going to do to me?!"

"Well that makes me a little sad Ava. I'm very friendly you know. I have told you that I wasn't going to hurt you. Besides, there are other animals that are much bigger than you as well out here. You're lucky I found you. Ya know, I have never seen a human before."

     He gazed down at the helpless girl. Part of him felt bad for whisking her up and making her uncomfortable. The other part of him felt like this was for her own good. In order to make her feel a little better he opened his palm. She scrambled about a bit, afraid of tumbling over the edge. He lowered his other hand down on her, finger extended, and started to pet her again.
Ava was so confused, and partly infuriated. Not to mention still extremely frightened. On top of it all, he was petting her like she was some sort of hamster. She tried to fight his finger off, so Cole chuckled and backed away. It was cute that she was trying anyway.

"Well Ava, we can talk about this more later. I am going to take you home with me for now."

Ava shrieked in fear and disappointment as he lowered his palm to his shirt pocket, and dumped her inside. Once she tumbled to the bottom, he patted the pocket to make sure she was secure. She didn't enjoy being forced up against his chest in the humongous patting episode, but now she began to tremble in fear. He was taking her home? He was KEEPING her? What was he going to do? Above all, she was helpless to stop anything.