Into The Blank

Chapter 2

Chapter II

Everything is a blur. And it's red. And, it's also very angry. My colours are red, and mad right now. I've made it into the middle of the forest, and I'm still barefoot.

I sit down, with my green camouflage capris hitting the dirt. I cry. Why did this have to happen? All my friends, my home? My wind, my trees- and my freedom. Gone. Into the blank. Like words- chucked of a cliff. I then speak to the wind, my only comfort.

"What do I do?!" I whisper.

You're free the wind answers.

I grumble in frustration. "I need advice, wind."

You will be free. Follow your dreams. You will be free. The wind rustles through the trees.

"So, seconds ago, I was free. Now I'm imprisoned? You're free- and then you will be free? What does all this mean? I'm following my dream by staying here. With you- you give me all my advice." I protest.

The wind begins to pick up. Is this all in my head? Sure, I talk to an abiotic element. Isn't that a little bit weird? But it's real. For me.

"I will stay with you"The wind replies. The sky darkens, as if strengthening the wind's opinion. As if saying "The wind is right, Tayla."

I stop pondering.

"Thank you, wind."

"BOOM," a clap of thunder echoes, as if to warn me about something. Then, the malevolent pitter-patter of rain nearing.

"What am I to be afraid of?" I wonder aloud.

"BOOM," the thunder repeats. But, this time it sounds more like, "BUNE". The rain is coming in piles. My hair is getting wet. The dusty forest dirt path is turning to thin mud. I pool my fingers into the mud. It's fresh, just like the rain. Cool, and soft. I'm still sitting. Then, I begin to dig a deep hole in the side of the path. Deep, and big and round. My hands are dirty with sopping mud, which drops in round gloops to the ground, like runny icing.

Bune. I think, hard. What is Bune? Ah nevermind. As I dig, I remember memories of this forest. Then- the rain around me falls, but stops falling on me.

I turn around and almost scream.

Thea stands over me, with her pink umbrella, holding it over me, to shield me from the rain. Her straight shoulder-length dark brown hair is in a high ponytail, which is droopy, because the rain wets her.

"Thea? You scared me!"

"Did I? I'm sorry." Thea frowns.

"You- you can keep the umbrella." I say, digging the hole.

"No- It's yours, and you're more wet than I am. My other one was with the American flag... I didn't really want to make you feel any worse. I'm really sorry. I had no idea you loved New Zealand so much. Especially- Wellington." Thea sits beside me, her jean capris soaked.

"It's fine. This is your dream. I just want to stay with my friends. And, the scenery- and... the wind."

"The wind is everywhere."

"But mostly in New Zealand."

"No, it travels places. It'll follow you- I'm sure."

"I know. It told me... but still. Why are Mum and Dad such quick decision makers?" I cry.

"I don't know. They're weird. That's all I can say."

"Well, you're right." I agree.

We hear a twig snap in the distance. Thea jumps up, and the umbrella's cover jerks away, and rain hits my head again.