I was violently lurched forward as the dark embrace of the ground rose to meet my face. Pain. An explosion of searing hotness rushed through my head as I heard the footsteps stop. I lay there, sucking air like a whistle through my gapped teeth feeling dazed. I felt the foliage-covered floor cold against my grazed face. The footsteps started again approaching me. With my remaining strength I managed to raise my head to witness a distorted world. The thick, luscious deciduous forestry loomed above appearing to viciously judder in a light autumn breeze. A thin, golden line of afternoon sunlight penetrated through the waves of never ending forestry until a large figure intercepted the beam of light.
The thick silhouette figure was difficult to make out. His blurred outline swayed back and forth until my vision finally readjusted. His open, leather jacket rippled in the breeze partially concealing a checkered shirt with torn stitches. His hair was naturally slicked back without the use of wax or grease. He sported tattered denim jeans and blue Nike Airs. The long laces were slightly snagged on a stone. His face was well defined with a prominent jaw and cheek bones. His eyes were the shiny darkness on a beetles wing. They rapidly darted back and forth scanning the area until resting on me. A mischievous smirk settled upon his face. His lean arm darted forward and wrapped around mine. I was ruggedly dragged to my feet. I attempted to ignore him. "Your welcome." my brother declaimed.
I scowled at him and shrugged it off. I gazed back at the spindly tree root that had tripped me and I filled with unnecessary rage. Humour was rare these days and a didn't appreciate my brothers wild stab at 'brightening the mood". Apparently he took the hint and remained silent for a period of time. Before long I began to struggle with my hefty backpack. My flatbow strung across my back added to the labour and did nothing to help. It's fine elm frame knocked across the small of my back with every stride. I grunted under the weight until Calem finally took notice. "Keep up." he commanded and in one swift motion, extracted my backpack and slung it across his back, joining his own.
"Aagghh! Dammit!" My body juddered as a stray, chestnut barn owl cooed on a nearby branch. My brother audibly sniggered a few places ahead of me. I was true that I was more 'on edge' these days but I had my reasons.
We trudged on deeper into the forest rarely acknowledging each other. My black hiking boots cautiously sifted through the golden, sun-baked leaves as my brother's Nikes carelessly rustled and crackled through the foliage. As we navigated further and further into the wood, it become more dense and hazardous. The once luscious green and golden that graced the tree's branches had abandoned them showcasing black and withered stick like figures. The wrinkled, sooty branches appeared to be hanging downwards, pointing at us like great wooden daggers. I prudently looked up and gazed around me at my decrepit surroundings. A single pitch, black crow loomed overhead on branch. It noticed us and immediately cared urgently as if to warn us that this was a bad idea and to turn around. I paused, heeding the crow's warning but Calem continued on. Perhaps the crow had the right idea.
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