“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...
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...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.
cold, harsh, wintry days, when my brothers and sister and I trudged home from school burdened down by the silence and frigidity of our long trek from the main road, down the hill to our shabby-looking house. More rundown than any of our classmates’ houses. In winter my mother’s riotous flowers would be absent, and the shack stood revealed for what it was. A gray, decaying...
He just turned and left without a word. I touched Lennie’s grave. The rough touch of the wood deflecting to my fingers. I walked back to the ranch. Everyone was asleep. I wanted to run away tomorrow but I couldn’t let this chance pass up. It also prevented any chance of Candy following me. I tiptoed out of the room and went straight to the woods. I made sure to mix myself in with the shadows of the trees. I saw the river and It felt like I did it...until I felt something grab me by my neck. I quickly got flipped over and pushed to the ground.
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 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 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,
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
...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.
The grass was soft and green, reserved for those who wanted to lie down or sit. A sweet aroma of flowers overflowed near by like s shinning light, but was hidden by the untrimmed bushes and wildly growing trees. Up above me was the beautiful, high noon blue sky spotted with fluffy, white clouds and airplanes flying by. I emerged into the parking lot and stopped happily as a squirrel under a tree. Hesitating to proceed anywhere further I took a few minutes to treasure the moment of silence and peace. As my girlfriend and I got out of the car to get ready for the picnic, she happened to be distracted by the water; a rhythmic ongoing resemblance of rhythm in her heart. The water was clam and beautiful in every aspect. To me she was like a wave, never stooping to catch attention or go unnoticed. Before doing anything else, we began setting up the picnic. By the time we ware done, her temptation was unbearable and was finally unable to overcome it, consequently she eagerly ran towards the water pulling me right behind her. Each step was like an imprint in my heart, a fossil that would always remain the same and special inside me forever.
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.