“If Only” kept going through my mind as I ran through the forest. What is it that follows me, tormenting me? I catch a glimpse out of the corner of my eye, but it eludes me as I cry. I looked up, high to the top of the evergreen canopy, nothing. I looked down on the pine needle carpet below my feet, nothing. There is that familiar sound again, a distant laughter as if mocking my every effort. “Where are you?” I shouted, but the trees silenced my plea once more. I ran as though my life depended on every step I took until I reached the river. At the bank, I could see a giant rock as lonely as I. Wading out into the chill frosted water I called to the stone, my long lost friend. I lifted myself onto its water-smoothed surface and lay there as I gasped for air. I was thankful, thankful for what exactly I was unsure, but grateful all the same. Minutes went by, or could it be hours I did not know and I did not care, I just laid there listening to the rivers song that it sang just for me. The high noon sun peeked through the evergreen tops and the forest came to life once more. The chill that was running through my veins warmed as I watched the light dance across the water in an effervescent parade. The leaves sound like a choir as they sway, and river dances with delight as it passes every rock. “Listen to my secret,” it sang its song to me. Memories flooded my body, those unpleasant ones I thought I had buried too far to surface, the reasons I had run in the first place. “I am lost,” I thought and I lay there sobbing as my body began to be wracked revealing the pain. Obscenities screamed were ringing in my ear, “make it stop,” I sobbed through the tears. The night that brought me here was over, yet echoed in the distance of my mi... ... middle of paper ... ...like a forked tongue. Shooting past me on both sides, the tines reconnected to form an arrow and with the speed of an expert sharpshooter pierced the heart of my shadow. The shadow shattered into what looked to be a million grains of black sand, and in the flurry, I could hear the obscure evil and terror in each tiny piece as they flew by. The air was filled with an eerie sound as the giant whirlwind chocked the shadow into a deathly silence. In a flash, the water swelled high above once more, then plunged back down into the river with such a force my rock and I swayed. We stood there watching the river wash it away until we heard its last remaining moan subside. A quiescent silence filled the forest and me granting us freedom and a much-needed rest. A soothing sensation engulfed my body and wrapped my soul in a warm embrace. As I stand here on my rock, I am free.
The unwelcome haze trails toward me, slowly growing more focused and intense. A light flickers from deep inside it, like a blue flame pulsing through its surface. It invites me to run my fingers through its surface. If I could move, I'd try to swipe the temptation of death
The arrival of winter was well on its way. Colorful leaves had turned to brown and fallen from the branches of the trees. The sky opened to a new brightness with the disappearance of the leaves. As John drove down the country road he was much more aware of all his surroundings. He grew up in this small town and knew he would live there forever. He knew every landmark in this area. This place is where he grew up and experienced many adventures. The new journey of his life was exciting, but then he also had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach of something not right.
The silhouettes of blossoms are menacing shadows against the luminous falls. I tiptoe further down the twisting vine of pale red blooms emerging, unfurling their rosy petals to the fluorescent streaks of lightening that extend their crooked arms through the sky and down into the swamp’s abyss. The brisk breeze carries scents of moss and mist. The magnificent falls tower above my head, breaking through the clouds, stretching up into space, like a daylily reaching up to swallow the sun. Water surges to the ground, crashing, the sodden earth crumbling away in its presence. An overwhelming sound of water rushing, as though it is a massive radio set malfunctioning, penetrates my ears. I slink through the canopy of vines, slithering, watching intensely,
Boom. Breath. Boom. Breath. Each step sounded like a war drum banging in my ears. The harmonious rhythm of my steps consistent with my breath continued on and on as I made my way up the side of the cliff in the middle of these Colorado woods. The sweltering heat was hindering my vision, and I began to feel dizzy. The worst part is, I am all alone.
As I inched my way toward the cliff, my legs were shaking uncontrollably. I could feel the coldness of the rock beneath my feet when my toes curled around the edge in one last futile attempt at survival. My heart was racing like a trapped bird, desperate to escape. Gazing down the sheer drop, I nearly fainted; my entire life flashed before my eyes. I could hear stones breaking free and fiercely tumbling down the hillside, plummeting into the dark abyss of the forbidding black water. The trees began to rapidly close in around me in a suffocating clench, and the piercing screams from my friends did little to ease the pain. The cool breeze felt like needles upon my bare skin, leaving a trail of goose bumps. The threatening mountains surrounding me seemed to grow more sinister with each passing moment, I felt myself fighting for air. The hot summer sun began to blacken while misty clouds loomed overhead. Trembling with anxiety, I shut my eyes, murmuring one last pathetic prayer. I gathered my last breath, hoping it would last a lifetime, took a step back and plun...
A calm crisp breeze circled my body as I sat emerged in my thoughts, hopes, and memories. The rough bark on which I sat reminded me of the rough road many people have traveled, only to end with something no one in human form can contemplate.
As I continued to walk across the dim, wet ground, a strong smell of decaying presence hit me. I knew they had arrived. With all the strength I had left in me, I ran. I ran as fast as I could. All the trees were glaring at me with eyes of emptiness and arms of warm welcomes, but I knew they rooted evil. I was stricken with fear and panic and could not leave the state of paranoia. I ran so fast until a small, dead, animal carcass became intertwined with me and caused me to plummet downwards on to the ground. “You can't run for ever Elizabeth” a loud voice echoed which caused all of life to take a stand still and the small creatures to scurry into hiding.
Driving down the smooth and never ending highway, my stomach began churning and flipping with excitement, like a world class gymnast, performing her intense routine. As I turned off from the highway onto the connecting road, the scenery around me became familiar. I remembered driving through these same streets, seeing these exact same trees and houses on the sides of the road. My first ever holiday. Pulling into the leafy, steep driveway, I drove up to the long path which lead up to the house. Parking my car, I stepped outside and a breeze of fresh mountainous air brushed up against my face and body. I took in a deep breath of it and opened my eyes to the spectacular sight before me.
With stress on my mind and a cookie in my hand, I headed towards the wooded area behind her home. At the beginning of the trail, there was an old rotting tire swing barely hanging onto a low hanging branch. The extensive amount of muddy puddles and the surrounding damp grass made me hesitant to follow through with my grandmother’s suggestion; the mountain of homework that waited for me back at home convinced me to continue. Trees towered over me, adding to the existing weight of stress that sat upon my shoulders, as I carefully maneuvered around the biggest puddles, beginning to become frustrated. Today was a terrible day to go for a walk, so why would my grandmother suggest this? Shaking my head in frustration, I pushed forward. The trail was slightly overgrown. Sharp weeds stabbed my sides every few steps, and I nearly tripped over a fallen tree branch. As the creek barely came into view, I could feel the humidity making my hair curly and stick to the sides of my face. After stopping to roll up the ends of my warn blue jeans, I neared the end of the trail. Bright sunlight peaked through the branches and reflected off the water. The sun must have come out from behind a cloud, seeing as it now blinded me as I neared the water. A few minutes passed by before I could clearly see
We slowly crept around the corner, finally sneaking a peek at our cabin. As I hopped out of the front seat of the truck, a sharp sense of loneliness came over me. I looked around and saw nothing but the leaves on the trees glittering from the constant blowing wind. Catching myself standing staring around me at all the beautiful trees, I noticed that the trees have not changed at all, but still stand tall and as close as usual. I realized that the trees surrounding the cabin are similar to the being of my family: the feelings of never being parted when were all together staying at our cabin.
I looked up at the black sky. I hadn't intended to be out this late. The sun had set, and the empty road ahead had no streetlights. I knew I was in for a dark journey home. I had decided that by traveling through the forest would be the quickest way home. Minutes passed, yet it seemed like hours and days. The farther I traveled into the forest, the darker it seemed to get. I was very had to even take a breath due to the stifling air. The only sound familiar to me was the quickening beat of my own heart, which felt as though it was about to come through my chest. I began to whistled to take my mind off the eerie noises I was hearing. In this kind of darkness I was in, it was hard for me to believe that I could be seeing these long finger shaped shadows that stretched out to me. I had this gut feeling as though something was following me, but I assured myself that I was the only one in the forest. At least I had hoped that I was.
As the trail becomes bumpier with rocks surrounding the ground, I reached a point where I needed to start climbing a small hill covered with rocks and dirt, so I am adept to cross the other side and continue walking the trail. When I reached the top of the small hill, I stopped for a few minutes to appreciate the scenery. I notice the narrow stream of clear water swishing over the rocks and fallen branches. I started to climb down the hill and continue walking beside the stream to find where the water started flowing. After a while of walking, the sound of the peaceful stream of water started to become water thundering down into an identical pool. This contained an opening that allowed the water flow smoothly into the stream. I gazed at the large waterfall pounding down onto the rocks causing the creation of foam once it reached the bottom. I continued to walk around to find a place for me to sit and started walking towards a gigantic rock. I sat on the weird shape rock for a while, observing the waterfall and reflected on my experience that contributed a new perspective on how to view nature.
...gh the darkness, his inner light banishing the darkness, the mere gleam from his metal-clad body spearing through the black. The next knock jolted through my body, the crate rocking slightly from the force of the blow, a mewl of protest slipping through my lips as my saviours efforts threw me from side to side.
Midnight was fast approaching, and as the city around me resonated with the traffic and flow of night life, heavy winter raindrops trickled against the streets. I wandered aimlessly, lost and uncertain of how I got here. Without warning a wave of bodies crashed behind me. A seething mass of noise and movement engulfed me, and just as quickly ceased. Looking towards the departing throng, I could make out the figures of young teenage boys and girls with their ravaging, hungry hearts. Suddenly I felt dispossessed in this place, set adrift in a world that I no longer had any part of. Yet something brought me here.
...on a rock that over hangs the brisk water. A breeze is starting to diffuse the humid summer air. The wind whips the hair against my cheeks, bringing tears to my eyes. I look out at a leaf falling through the air. It lands in the water, causing a stir of ripples.