Suburban Island IV

The River, The Woods (Mission to the Woods)

The River, The Woods (Mission to the Woods)

Annie had to do this tonight. She had the things that she would next in her backpack. Flashlight, water, map, radio, batteries, and snacks. Mike tried to talk her out of the plan.

"You could die out there," he said.

"I have to see what is out there," Annie insisted. "You don't have to do anything. Just stay by on the radio. I'm going by myself."

"Are you out of your mind?!" he asked.

"No," she said. "I just have to know." Mike sighed and rubbed his forehead. She wasn't going to let this go, was she?

"Fine," he said. Annie bowed her head.

"Thank you," she said.

"I still think this a bad idea," Mike muttered under his breath. Annie pretended not to hear him. She already made up her mind for this mission.

----------

Annie lay awake in her bed, waiting. She had the hood of her hoodie pulled up over her head. The girl stared at her clock, counting down. 11:59 p.m. Just a few more seconds to go. Annie held her breath.

Five... Four... Three... Two...

Time to go.

Annie quietly slid out of bed. She had to stay silent for this to work. Kenji was asleep in his room. Kate slept in the guest room. Annie crouched down in the hall. She held her breath. This was going to be the hardest part. Just get across the hall make it down the stairs. Annie had to crawl across the floor. She held her breath the whole time. She had her ear up in the air. Kenji was snoring from his room. The stairs were coming up in front of her. Here came the tricky part. Annie slowly rose to her feet. She took in a deep breath. Here we go...

Annie made the first step. She couldn't remember which stair creaked. She would have to try and guess. Annie held her breath and walked down the stairs. With each step, she turned her head and listened closely. Kenji was still snoring in his bed. That old man could sleep through an earthquake. An earthquake and a squad of jet planes. Now, Kate was another matter. Was she still asleep? Annie turned her head. She was tempted to go back and check.

The girl shook her head.

No. She had to keep going. Annie sped up her walking down the stairs. She looked down in the darkness. Come on. Which step was it? Which one? Which one?

Creak.

Annie froze. Her breath caught in her chest. Oh no...

She quickly turned her head. Her ears trained in the darkness. One second. Two seconds. Three seconds.

Nothing was coming. Annie couldn't relax. She still had to get down the stairs. The girl pushed herself to keep moving. She held her breath the whole way down. Annie could breathe once she made it to the bottom of the stairs. She took one more look upwards. No one was turning on lights or asking questions. Good. Now, she had to keep going. Annie drew her backpack closer to her back and made it through the den to the back door.

---------

Annie had never seen the night so clear before in her life. There were so many stars in the skies. Thin puffs of clouds slowly dragged across the sky. Annie didn't have time to look. She had a hatch to look for. One that led underground. The girl took in a breath. She walked down the stone path to the center of the yard. Annie looked down at the muddy circle. There used to be a pool here. She couldn't remember when they took in down for good. The girl took slower steps forward. Her right foot felt around for the latch.

"Come on," Annie said to herself. "Where are you? Come out and show yourself." She reached into her hoodie pocket and pulled out the flashlight. Annie clicked it on and resumed her search.

"Come on, where is it?" she asked herself. Within one more sweep, her light rested on a long rusted metal handle.

"Bingo!" she quickly whispered. Annie got down on her hands and knees and grabbed onto the handle. She tightened her grip and pulled on the handle. At first, it wouldn't budge. Still, Annie wouldn't give up. She used her other hand as help. The girl managed to get the hatch open a crack.

"Heh," she said. Annie slowly stood up as she opened the hatch. She used her flashlight to get a better look inside. The girl noticed the stairs going downwards. Horror story vibes flashed through her mind. She shouldn't be doing this. Maybe it would be better to turn around and go back to bed.

Annie took a breath and made her way down theslick, muddy steps. Good thing her flashlight had fresh batteries.