ETON

Chapter 1.

I slid down the grass slope, trying to keep my control. Of course since the odds were never in my favour my dress had caught on a wild twig, tearing the seams. It was blue and quite simple. The dress was a gift from my grandmother from around thirteen years ago. I've been restoring it every year, by hand or by machine if I'm lucky enough to have the money to pay someone. But this new tear looked like an easy job, it's only small.

I ended up rolling to a stop at the bottom, a few small rocks that I seem to have loosened came tumbling down after me. I stood up and dusted myself off and started to inspect the tear in my dress. It seemed to have grown longer and had split off into different sections like forked lightning. I moved my fringe out of my eyes and continued walking. At the bottom of the hill the trees in this part of the forest seemed to thicken, from what I've seen it's like they multiply every time I visit. The trees in the forest usually consisted of red maple and elm, but one day as I was exploring I came across something rare.. something different. There was an olive tree, whose branches leaped out in all directions and would dance in the breeze like the arms of performers. The trunk was of large girth and the roots were thick and strong enough to live under, so I did.

Most olive trees I've ever seen were a lot smaller than this one in comparison. In fact, this tree was roughly six meters in circumference. 

I made my way through the forest, it was peaceful like always. I think I was the only one to ever explore this place, usually no one ever leaves town unless they're heading to another. Although, you would have to be clever and well equipped to leave town, with all the unknown creatures still left to discover.

The smell of moss and dirt is always fresh, something that I've always enjoyed the smell of, 'Nature'. The smell and the sight is what makes the trip tolerable, the two hour long walk from my house to the town never feels so long because of it. But when I don't have to go into town, now that's the best part. Imagine running through a forest barefoot, you'd think it'd hurt with all the sticks and stones, but no, you can't feel any of that. The moss in the forest is so dense it's like walking on clouds.

The sounds of birds take over, getting louder the closer I am to my house. But they never stop their enthusiastic little chirps, they never take a break, unless it is to sleep and that doesn't last long. The birds continue chirping, changing their sounds on occasion to call to each other. It's calming, nature really does work it's magic. 

There was a new sound now, not just the endless communication of birds, but a soft humming sound. I knew I was getting closer, the trail I have followed all this time has a bees nest ten minutes away from my home. They fly by my ear buzzing with enjoyment, they don't try to sting me, they know I mean no harm, we're almost friends in a way.

Five minutes away and you can already tell that I've decorated. The ground covered in smooth stones that I had placed according to my walking distance, with small flower beds on either side. Without the path nobody would ever find my house. But considering I'm the only one who dared to enter the 'big and bad', harmless forest.. Nobody would find it anyway. The door consisted of twigs woven together, which I'm glad worked and didn't fall apart as soon as I touched it. The inside is resembles every other house, a kitchen, bed, dining room. It just happens to be all in the same room, and the toilet, well I made one outside...

I take off my boots and place them by the door, the moss not only feels so soft but works brilliantly as a carpet, I take off my dress and replace it with something more comfortable, I am now wearing my dads old clothes, tailored to fit of course, but you wouldn't believe how shocked people get when they see a girl not wearing a dress, you'd think it'd kill them to know I was living by myself in the spooky woods.

I left my humble little house and go out in search of food, there were plenty of birds a minute ago, do they know what fate lies before them?

I took out my hairpin and held it carefully in my hand, I took the top off of what looks to be a fragile, rotting log and take my bow out, my hairpin's wings fold out leaving a sharp point that then begins to stretch, extending until it's a perfect arrow. The birds still remain silent, but I can hear their hearts beating with fear of today being their last, but I have to eat, isn't this just the circle of life? I position my bow and arrow correctly, their hearts are beating faster, pulling back my arrow, I let go just in time. I've managed to kill the bird without it knowing, if I have to do something so cruel to something so innocent I'm glad that it didn't have to suffer.

I shot two more down before I located their lifeless bodies to take them inside. Skinning the birds is as disgusting as one would think, but the feathers make for great decoration, headbands, earrings, not for me of course, I sell them in the market and since no one besides me goes into the forest and hunts, they're considered rare. I carried the fresh meat over to the table placing it gently before going to find a bowl. With the meat now in the bowl I turned to my cooking station, a nicely constructed table carved out from the ground, rocks on top and a roaring fire underneath, but I need something else, not just meat.

I venture outside once more and start searching in the area, there are plenty of edible plants and berries out here so I never really starved. I followed another path that I found not to long ago, it intertwines with tree roots that have unearthed over time. The path is short and relaxing, shaded by the overhanging branches, a cool breeze playing with my hair, flipping it left and right. The fresh water pond now in front of me and the crystal clear water beckoning me to walk closer, luring me in.

I take off my clothes so I'm left with a cloth bandage around my chest and my underwear, I can just imagine the shrieks of the village women about how unladylike I was being, how I had no manners to prance around in such a manner, did I care, obviously not, that much was certain.

Folding up the clothes I placed them nicely behind a tree as not to get them wet, I turned to the water and started running, reaching the end of the sand I dived in, my fingers piercing the water's surface sending droplets of water in all directions. I resurfaced and shook my hair sending more water flying.

With my daily swim over after a short time I started to head to the tree where my clothes were kept, picking up some clovers and a few dandelions. Something was off, am I at the wrong tree? I looked around nearby, searching every tree left and right. Gone.

That's odd, I started to walk back to the house still searching for the slightest chance that I'd find it. A shiver was sent up my spine, that was not supposed to be there.