I hurried off down Camron Street headed straight to where the road dead-ended and the forest began. As I ran, I thought of Tucker and Owen and had hoped that they’d made it back to their pickup safely. I also wondered what fucking good it was being a witch if I didn’t have a broomstick to fly on? It sure as hell would’ve made my getting to the forest a lot faster. When I had reached the end of Cameron Street, the pavement had given way to dirt and low-lying brush. Beyond that was an enormous entanglement of small trees whose branches interwoven one another, each armed with one inch thorns. Weaving its way through the thicket, though, was a narrow path that was barely noticeable in the darkness, but it looked as if it might lead …show more content…
But, then after another wind had blown about the forest, this one stronger than the last, and the intense smell of pine and burning timber was unmistakable. I pushed on for another look-see, and then there, passed a clearing and down in a valley below I could see the yellow and orange telltale flickers of a fire in the distance. Midnight had taken me passed them. Well… not only passed, but also higher up the mountain in elevation because I now found myself looking down on who I thought was Terra and her sister witches. I then quickly climbed up onto a nearby granite rock ledge that pushed itself up and out from the mountain’s hillside, hoping to get a better …show more content…
It stung my chest’s insides like needles, and I also thought that the temperature seemed to be dropping by the minute even though tonight had been unseasonably warm to that point. (But, being from Alabama, every autumn night was a warm one for me growing up, so what did I know?) Making my descent off the boulder I began looking for a path—aided only by moonlight—that would lead me down to Terra and the other witches. But after I had taken only a mere few steps in my descent, Midnight unexpectedly lashed out her open claws at me, bared her teeth, and began wailing at me like I was trying to drown her in a bucket. She quickly managed several hard swipes at my already torn up legs before I had stumbled back in fright of her sudden ferocity towards me, not knowing what had gotten into her. I had landed square on my ass, and my ass square on the granite boulder that I had just gotten down from. I winced as I suddenly felt pain radiate up my spine from my tailbone while also shooting down my legs in pulsating waves that reached as far as my
I awoke before the first rays of sunlight had passed through the dew-covered trees to the west today. It had rained the evening before, and the smell of wet leaves and grass was still lingering in the air.
I opened my eyes and looked up at the yellow sky. What on Earth is going on? Where am I? I slowly stood up. Mud sloughed off my clothes, plopping into the slimy mud that covered the ground. I looked around. There were muddy hills as far as I could see. Above me, the sky shone yellow-orange, as it does on an early summer day. I turned away and saw something in the distance. Squinting, I could make out the shape of a tree. I glanced behind me; there was nothing but miles and miles of thick mud. I sighed. Might as well explore, I thought as I wandered in the direction of the tree.
The path ran up a hill. Seems like there is chains about my feet… a bush caught her ...
The mountains were tall (11,000 feet +) and covered with bright powdery snow. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. I was eager to set-up camp and prepare for our nine day hunt. But, Dad said that we had to drive around and check out all the good places, just to make sure that we were in the best area. This was partially understandable, but since I am a teenager I'm not supposed to understand anything! So, we spent another several hours driving. We went up and down through the mountains and then we saw it. The spot was beautiful; it was right on the edge of a vertical drop-off, over looking everything. It was like paradise, but colder!
It must soon be time for the Beasts to roam. The Beasts roam ever earlier in the day, and it is not safe to be out of doors. When she was a child, the Beasts dared not appear while the sky held light. Monsters are bolder now.
There have always been many different trees are found in the forest. Tall ones, round of leaf and with broad branches spread open in welcome. Short ones are found here as well, with thin trunks and wiry limbs they sway in the breeze. A wide variety of foliage in the emerald grove dancing merrily to the whispers of the wind. In this quiet thicket, a different type of tree grows, too. They stand resolute, patient, and ever growing.
When I reached the level road again, I was able to see the road ahead. To my
I put my thin hood over my head and started walking down the old, worn down street. There was a cornfield on the right side of the street and the dark creeping woods on the
Her spry, Timberland-clad foot planted itself upon a jagged boulder, motionless, until her calf muscles tightened and catapulted her small frame into the next stride. Then Sara's dance continued, her feet playing effortlessly with the difficult terrain. As her foot lifted from the ground, compressed mint-colored lichen would spring back into position, only to be crushed by my immense boot, struggling to step where hers had been. My eyes fixated on the forest floor, as fallen trees, swollen roots, and unsteady rocks posed constant threats for my exhausted body. Without glancing up I knew what was ahead: the same dense, impenetrable green that had surrounded us for hours. My throat prickled with unfathomable thirst, as my long-empty Nalgene bottle slapped mockingly at my side. Gnarled branches snared at my clothes and tore at my hair, and I blindly hurled myself after Sara. The portage had become a battle, and the ominously darkening sky raised the potential for casualties. Gritting my teeth with gumption, I refused to stop; I would march on until I could no longer stand.
My stomach retched, my throat dry, had I got myself into this mess? A distant thud echoed across the cold, hard floor, ricocheting into my ear. Someone was coming.
As the bushes and brush grew more solid I began to ponder. Will I make it through this forest tonight or will I be taken in by the thick of the mystery? Sounds from sluggish foot steps caused a vibration around me that lead me to stop in my place and listen closely. Could this forest be haunted or was I just over exaggerating? I started to get very nervous by this time. “It will be just fine,” I told myself. I am just imagining things. I continued my journey through the forest but negative thoughts were running through my l...
In the distance, the trail along which I had been walking wound through a thick velvet fog. Lining the path were tall trees that stoo...
Many sands had the tree known; many green neighbors had come and gone, yet the tree remained. The mighty roots had endured such whips and scorns as had been cast upon it, but the old tree had survived, a pillar of twisted iron and horn against the now sickly sky. In the waning light of evening, the tree waited.
And I saw the sparkling foam, And-with my cheek on one of those green stones that fleeced with moss, under the shady trees, lay round me, scattered like a flock of sheep