Burning Water (In process of editing and re-writing)

Burning Water Chapter 3 *edited

Chapter 3

The sky of dark blue and purple became light. A few clouds could be seen above the tall trees of the forest. A small group of distant birds flew in the cool early morning breeze. The evergreens and pines waved shyly as a calm and as huge as a great sea. Once in a while, a big wave would peek up from the surface and would stay there for a bit. The level of the water would grow very slowly and a few waves rippled along the water. Then, an enormous wave would crash down onto the others, causing a loud noise and commotion.

The forest was calm today. Not much movement; a light breeze.

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Lily had always wanted to sing. To sing in front of a large crowd, to let go of her shyness and pour out emotion. But no, too embarrassing. Is it just a coincidence that embarrassing ends in ‘sing’? Lily had pondered. The idea of joining the worship team made her shiver. Why was she shy?

Sunday’s were fun. There was church, which wasn’t too bad, unless the artists make major mistakes or if it was Mr. Snell preached, he was too serious. And old, Lily thought, remembering dandruff falling out from his white hair. She grimaced. She recalled watching him almost yell at the audience, maybe to make a point, or to let go of his frustrations. Both, most likely.

Then, after exiting the chapel and reaching the main building and after having lunch, there was free time until two a’ clock. On Sunday’s, there was an activity with all the orphans, teachers, counselors, and the rest of the population of the old orphanage. Sometimes it was a sport, usually soccer, or maybe even a craft, but this week, it looked like going on a hike in the forest was the adventure. Not at the usual time of two (which actually only starts at about two ten because of various reasons), this hike was at seven in the morning. Only if you were in the ‘short-hike’. The ‘long-hike’ gang left at 4:00 am.

Reaching the same destination at around the same time was the goal. The last year’s hopes were the same, and it had failed. Lily wasn’t exactly sure why, but from what she had heard, the ‘long-hike’ party got lost in the forest and somehow ended up on the complete opposite side of the small mountain. She remembered seeing their sweat-coated faces and hearing their grunts of pain when they came back from their extra-long-hike. After rolling her eyes and chuckling, Lily had decided that she would maybe stay in the ‘short-hike’.

That meant more people would too, making the group more like a small marathon. Maybe she should take the long hike. But, chances were that Makayla and Morgan would beg her to come on the short hike. Lily could picture them begging on their knees, especially Morgan;

“Please…Please come with us.”

“We’ll do anything!”

After all, maybe a time away from the crazy pair would be fine. And besides, with Lily’s skills at using a map, they wouldn’t get lost. Well, hopefully.

She would go on the long-hike, without her friends. Lily was up and ready at four o' five. Five minutes late.

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“No, they already left. If you hurry, maybe you could join.” Mrs. Natsit, the director and the orphanage’s activity organizer, informed Lily. “They went right through that trail over there.” Mrs. Natsit aimed her flashlight to an opening in the forest.

“Thanks.” Lily said as she aimed her own at the forest.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you? I can go with you until you meet with them.” Mrs. Natsit said.

“I’m okay.” Lily answered. And she was off.

The ground crunched under her boots as she walked speedily to the other group. She started to regret not letting Mrs. Natsit come with her; the forest wasn’t very pleasant for a girl of her age. Something in her small backpack poked her lower back. She quickly flung the bag off and scuffled around with the things inside: A water bottle, a notebook, her camera, a pencil-case and a few Kleenexes. Lily figured it was the water bottle that had been annoying her. She took it in her hands, zipped the bag closed, picked up her flashlight and walked again closer to the forest. Lily heard something behind her; she turned. She thought she saw someone walk around but when she aimed her flashlight in the direction, she only saw a tree. A light flickered. Lily figured it was the light post.