The Iron Giant Returns: Chapter 1 Twelve year old Lucy Chukalos Douglass was taking another hike in the neighboring woods near Clearbrook, Washington. She had some red in her brown hair, and green eyes, She was taking in the sights, smells, and sounds of the peaceful surroundings, and compared to her #life at home it was paradise. She often did this after school; it helped clear her head from the day’s stress. Sometimes she even found empty bottles and if she found a lot, she could cash them in for some extra change. After walking for some time she heard an animal crying out in agony; sounded a little like a lamb. She knew any injured animal was dangerous, but a lot of careless hunters left their traps and forgot about them, most of them beginners. She snuck closer towards the sound and found a fawn with its left hind leg tangled in a net. She took a quick glance and noticed a doe hiding in the shadows, most likely the mother. No one else appeared to be close so she decided to free the fawn herself. She knelt down and pulled out her Swiss Army Knife. The fawn tried to get away but was exhausted from the constant struggling. “Shh,” she whispered sweetly, “It’s okay. I’m not gonna hurt you.” She tried to stroke its head, and that calmed it down a little. Not too far away, something big was watching the scene. He kept as still as he could. He was going to help the fawn, but let Lucy handle it. He watched with wonder. She cut the net rope by rope, constantly looking around. Once the fawn was free, she helped it back onto its feet. The fawn looked at her for a few seconds, and then skipped to its mother. The mother and child nuzzled against each other. The mother looked at her and bowed her head, as if to say, “Thank you,” and they walked away. Lucy smiled at her accomplishment. Just as she stood up, she heard someone click a rifle. She shot around and saw a hunter. “What do you think you’re doing?” he said. “That was my catch!” He aimed the rifle right at her head. “How dare you!” The creature became anxious as his eyes began to turn red. Lucy raised her hands, dropping her knife. “It was a fawn, a baby deer. What’s the big deal?” “It’s still my net!” he yelled. “You’re gonna pay for that!” “I’ll pay for it but did you hear me?” she shouted. “A baby deer! No antlers! No value!” She put the two and two together, noticing the anger in his face and all his gear. “You’re a poacher,” she whispered. “You’re a smart kid, you know that?” he mocked. “Now, just for that, I’m gonna give you a ten second head start. I can’t chase the deer, but I’ll settle for you.” The creature became angry. Its eyes turned red, but he tried to fight it. She raised her eyebrows, trying to back up. “Wait a second, buddy, think about this. Someone’s bound to hear, and there will be evidence; my blood and your bullet casings. This is a HUGE mistake.” She suddenly felt like they were being watched. She quickly looked around and thought she saw a large pair of glowing eyes in the distance, about a hundred feet behind the poacher. “Just take it easy for a second. Going through with this might affect your future.” She squinted but couldn’t get a good look at the creature watching them. The poacher lowered his rifle, nodding his head. “You’re right,” he said in a high - pitched tone, “you’re right. Bad idea. What was I thinking?” He put it on the ground. She sighed, but her relief passed when he pulled out a knife. “This would be a little less messy. Oh yeah, your ten seconds are up.” He lunged at her. She was able to duck and start running, but she didn’t get very far. She was tackled and pinned to the ground. Just as he was about to take a stab at her, the creature that was watching them came out of hiding. It was a giant robot, about fifty feet tall. Both were frozen with fear as the giant picked up the rifle and crushed it with his hand. When its remains landed on the ground, the poacher got up and ran, dropping his knife. Lucy could only sit there and watch in astonishment . The giant picked the poacher up by his jacket. Once they were eye to eye the giant ordered, “Leave her alone.” The poacher stammered as he begged for his #life. The giant dropped him on the ground, glaring at him. The poacher ran away, screaming like a little girl. He tripped once and got back up, and resumed the panicking and running. The poacher was gone and now Lucy was alone with the giant. She tried to sneak away while he wasn’t looking, but the giant turned to look at her. She tried to run away, but twisted her ankle trying to get up and began to panic. “Please! No! Don’t kill me! Wait! Please! God, no!” The giant kneeled and reached his hand towards her. She closed her eyes and flinched, expecting to get crushed. Instead, nothing happened. She opened her eyes very slowly. To her surprise, the giant looked like he wanted to help her up, like how she helped the fawn. “Are you hurt?” he asked. By now, her hands were shaking and her heart was pounding so hard she thought it might burst. “Don’t be afraid. I will not hurt you.” He was speaking slowly. She looked into his eyes; they were so innocent, almost childlike. She slowly placed both hands on his finger and he helped her back onto her feet. Only she was lifted off the ground for a second. Once he lowered her she rubbed her arms, trying to pull herself together. “Uh, I...I’m, ah...well...” She couldn’t even talk straight. The giant slowly motioned his hand towards himself. “My name Giant.” Lucy was amazed at how kind and gentle he appeared to be. “What are you?” she whispered to herself. “I am not a gun,” was the Giant’s reply, even though she didn’t think he could hear her. She glanced at the crushed rifle. “T - that’s why you-you...saved my #life, because he was going to kill me?” The Giant nodded. “T-t-th...thank you. A-and no, I’m not hurt. Thank you.” The Giant smiled. There was a faint grumbling sound. She looked around, thinking it was a car engine. She thought the poacher had returned. The Giant took a quick glance. “Alone,” he reassured. Lucy just looked at him, panting. He placed one hand over his torso, where his stomach would be. “Y - you - you’re hungry?” she asked. The Giant nodded. “He has a stomach?” she whispered. The Giant tilted his head to the side, puzzled. “What do you eat?” She regretted asking that after she said it once she realized she might be on the menu. “Metal,” The Giant answered. “Junk yard?” “Umm...” she went into thought. Then she snapped her fingers. “There’s an auto junk yard on the edge of town. I think it’s been abandoned for a few -” The Giant reached his hand down. She fell down again. When she opened her eyes, it looked like he wanted her to climb onto his hand. “You want me to take you there?” The Giant shook his head. “Take you home.” He gave her that innocent look again. Lucy was about to climb on when she realized she had dropped her knife and started searching on the ground. The Giant looked around and found it. He picked it up with his giant fingers, and offered it to her. She opened her hands and he dropped it. She looked at the knife and whispered, “So gentle.” The Giant smiled. “Thank you.” After she places it in her pocket she climbed onto his hand and he stood up. As she regained her balance, she looked at the horizon. The view was incredible; they could see for miles! Then the Giant began to walk, and she was overcome with wonder and amazement, losing her balance again. She laughed out loud a little, and the Giant chuckled. Once the town was in sight, Lucy stopped him. “Over there,” she said, pointing to her left. “The junk yard’s over there, see it?” The Giant squinted, and then nodded. “You can lower me down here; I can walk the rest of the way. My ankle’s better.” He crouched down and lowered his hand. After she climbed off she turned around. “Thank you, again.” The Giant stood up and smiled, and walked away. Lucy watched him, fighting the urge to follow. The Giant was sad to leave her alone. She couldn’t help but worry what would happen if someone else saw him. He seemed like a lost child to her, and she loved to help others. Although she was told she thought with her heart more than her head; that she wore her heart on her sleeve. As she wobbled home she thought to herself, ‘I wonder if I should’ve grabbed that guy’s knife.’ She could’ve dropped it off at the police station.