The Forgotten Forest

Chapter Twelve- Birthday Part II

I walked down the stairs, clutching the locket so tightly my knuckle were turning white. Each step I took was silent, I didn't want to make a sound. My heart was pounding so loud, I'm sure my parents could hear it and my breath was ragged. So many things were running through my mind, but I pushed them aside and focused on one thing- getting answers.

I reached the bottom stair, and saw my parents were whispering ferociously to each other in the living room.

When I walked in, they looked scared, but I didn't have time to think about it. I needed to get things fixed.

I shoved the locket in their face, not able to form any words. My parents stared at it, their faces as white as ghosts. I shook my head. No, this wasn't right. I stood for a while, just staring at them and them staring at me, until I was able to form words.

"I need to hear it from you guys. Tell me this is nothing, it's just a coincidence. I need to hear it. Tell me,". I whispered. I had to hear it from them that the people in the locket were no one special to me. That they were just a coincidence. That I don't resemble the lady or the man in the picture in anyway, but my slight sliver of hope crashed and burned when mom took one look and burst out crying.

No. No, no, no. This was all wrong. I felt tears forming in the corner of my eyes, but refused to let them fall. I couldn't cry over this. It would show them I'm weak, which I've always been, but I've had enough. Enough being invisible, enough being weak, enough being me. Dad looked back and forth between mom and I, his face torn between worrisome and anger. Finally, he started talking.

"Kira, just hear us out-" I cut him off, my anger boiling up inside of me.

"Make it quick," I growled. No, I can't be talking like this. I've never talked to anyone like this. This isn't good.

Mom finally stopped bawling, but was sniffling, so she was in no mood to talk. Dad I could tell was freaking out and needed help from mom, but she couldn't help at the moment. I needed answers, and needed them now. Were they ever going to tell me about this?

"Who are those people in the picture? And I would like the truth,"

Dad looked too scared too answer, he was paralyzed in fear I'm guessing. So I turned to mom, waiting for her to stop.

"Th-they're your p-parents," mom whispered, refusing to look at me.

That's when I lost it.

"My parents? You guys are my parents," Despite how angry I was, my voice was calm, and I couldn't even recognize it.

"It's a complicated story," Mom said, acting like I would've said 'Oh, okay! It's a long story, you don't need to tell it. It's not that important.' Never had she been more wrong.

"I have time," I said, clenching my teeth and pulling up a chair. I was about to sit in it when Mike came down. Oh, good. Maybe he could help. I motioned him over and he took a seat on the carpet nervously.

"Happy Birthday Kira," Mom mumbled, handing me a small box. I stared at it, my hands shaking in anger. Why was she giving me a birthday present now? I knocked it out of her hands. Was this what it felt like to go insane? With everything going on, the waterfall, the clearing, they decide only to tell me now. They had all the time in the world, and they decide now of all times was a good time.

"Right now is not the time for birthday presents! Explain to me what's going on?"

"Um, Mike, I think it would be best if I took you home," my dad said, his face once again back to its usual self, but fear was stuck to the corners of his eyes. I shook my head, I didn't- I couldn't- let Mike leave.

"No, Mike is staying. We wouldn't even be having this conversation without him, would we?" I expected dad to give in, but his face hardened.

"We're not talking about this with him here. He needs to go. Now!"

"Why? He's involved in this somehow!" I shouted. The only way I'm having this conversation is if Mike is beside me.

My dad shook his head, his face reddening in anger. "Yes, he's involved, but not in the way you want it to be. Mike in taking you home. Then, Kira we will talk about this."

"No!" I shouted, "That's it!" I stood up and looked at them, with them looking back at me, their eyes reflecting what I'm feeling. They lied to me, I didn't need them. I turned around, unable to bear it anymore.

I ran outside. I didn't stop when I heard my mom scream out my name, and I certainly didn't stop when I heard someone come tearing after me. All I knew was that I had to get out of here. Anger blinding me, I pushed into the forest, branches whipping me, but I was numb to them. I kept running until I tripped on a root and collapsed. Then the tears started rushing out. I didn't care anymore.

It wasn't until my eyes were completely out of tears that I stopped. I sat up, my face probably red. I turned around, surprised to see Mike standing behind me. I looked at him, not sure what to say. I ran up to him and gave him a hug. It was comforting after what had happened, and I didn't want to let go. He stiffened at my touch and didn't hug back. I eventually let go, and when he looked at me, his eyes were filled with an emotion that I couldn't quite place.

"Thanks for showing that locket to me. They should've told me sooner, I have a right to know,"

He didn't answer, but another thought struck me.

"How do you have that picture and how do you know about them?" I asked even more confused. He didn't answer, but tugged me along. This got me angry. I tried to pull away, but he wouldn't let go. "Answer me!" I screamed, frustrated about everything. Why couldn't I get answers?

I realized that I ended up in the forgotten forest. I looked around, but Mike kept pulling me. What about last time? This wasn't here! It was all forest! I was so caught up in trying to figure out what was going on that I barely heard Mike say, "Goodbye, Kira,"

Wait, what?

I barely had time to register what he was saying when he pushed me over. I fell, shocked. Why would he do this? I tried to grab hold of his arm, but he moved out of the way. His face filled with anger. I waited for the impact of the ground to come, but it never came. I looked back up, realizing I was below the ground, and falling into a hole of some sort. There was Mike at the top looking down on me, then walking away. That was the last thing I saw before everything turned black

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Hey guys!

So yeah, I posted sooner than expected! I will hopefully update this weekend!

Also, sorry for the cliffhanger and for not explaining the backstory yet. Also sorry it's short. Next one might take longer to post, and it might be a bit longer than this one, but the one after this will be long, I promise.

Also, 1.14k READS? 56 VOTES? YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING! THANK YOU SO MUCH, PLEASE DON'T EVER LEAVE!

Oh, by the way, do you want Mike's point of view next chapter?

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~~~20jkelly :-)