Aaaannnnddd back to Vivian...
I've been looking for an hour now. Where is he?
Vivi, I really think you should go back home...
VI! I'm not leaving! Give it up already, you've been chanting that for the past half hour like a magic spell or something.
Look, we don't even know if Aiden's even here during the day, I just think--
Of course he's here, he's always here when I come! Will you please just shut up?!
Vivi I--
I'm not going back. I want to see him. I need to see him, Vi.
I keep walking, deeper and deeper into my forest. It looks so different during the day. It's creepier. Dead leaves are scattered all over and the tree branches are barren, all it needs now is a little house made of candy with a witch waiting inside to fatten me up so she can eat me. Ugh, I always hated that story. Andrew and Mike always used to scare me with it right before I went to sleep. Aiden never does that, his eyes only tell me sweet things. No horrible witches or goblins; no monsters coming to get me, and if there were, I know Aiden would keep me safe. He always does.
But he's not with me right now. I've never been in the forest this long without him. Oh no, what if something tries to hurt me? I need Aiden, I'm not as strong as him! I pick up my pace, sprinting now.
Okay, okay, Vivi, calm down it's going to be fine.
Vi! I need to find him! I nee--
Yes, yes I know, but don't start freaking out. We'll find him, you'll see! Just take a deep breath and look more carefully.
I do as Vivi said and slow my pace. It helped, I'm much calmer now. Why would I panic in the first place? I love my forest, there isn't a safer place, silly me! After a couple deep breaths I'm off again, this time deciding to make my way to our clearing. Maybe he's there waiting for me, like he always is. But I need to start from the beginning to get there, I need to get back to Peter.
I walk back the way I came, but I don't see the road. I've gone in too far! I need to get back to Peter... But... Where am I? I stop. I turn around and around looking for some kind of landmark.
Vi? Do you--
I don't know where we are either! Vivi, this is bad. This is really really bad!!
It's okay! It's okay, Vi! I like it in here; no need to panic. Wow, look at how the roles have changed, huh?
Vivi, You didn't eat today. Oh God, you haven't eaten in... when's the last time you ate?
Oh probably last night, it's okay, I'm not even--
No... No, Vivi, no, you didn't eat last night after you came back, you didn't--
Whatever, I don't care. I'm not hungry, let's just find Aiden, okay?
You can't keep doing this to yourself. Vi... You're killing your--
VI! I'M FINE! We just need to find Aiden, that is the only thing that matters!
Vi doesn't respond to that so I turn to where I think Peter's tree might be. Just as I'm about to walk that way I hear something. Barking? And.... Shouting?
"HELLO? IS ANYONE IN HERE?!"
Was that... Mr. Haltings? The Sheriff? What is he doing here? People don't usually come in here.
You should tell him you're in here Vivi. He sounds kinda worried.
I think he'd take me home if he found me in here. I can't go home, I need to find Aiden.
YOU ARE READING
Vivian
أدب المراهقينVivian enjoys spending her nights wandering the forest, basking in its quiet serenity. Away from the noises of people and the cruelty of the world, it's become the place where she feels completely at home. But is her distance from humanity slowly ea...
