The Red Pendant

Chapter 5

The next day, Maryanne woke up to silence in the little cottage, and after a few minutes of getting ready, she was ready to go out into the forest to look for spree-lilies. She had made sure that she got herself a good night's rest, for she was going to be in the forest for quite a while. She packed herself a small lunch, and while she was wondering where Aaron was off to, left the cottage to head into the welcoming forest.

As she was walking down the dusty trail, Jeffery came up to her. "Hey, do you know where Aaron is?" he asked.

"No," Maryanne confessed, slowing her pace to match his. "I haven't seen him all morning. He must have gone to run some errands or something like that."

"Oh," Jeffery sighed, disappointed. "I was hoping that we could do a match of two vs. two concrete hockey. I hated that I missed soccer yesterday."

"Yeah, well, if I see him, I'll tell him that you were looking for him," Maryanne confirmed, looking back to the path.

"Thanks, Maryanne," Jeffery said, turning to go back the way he came. "See you later."

"Bye," Maryanne called out as she started walking down the trail at her previous speed once again. She was sure of it then; it was Saturday, the day when Aaron always went to the store to get groceries. Maryanne wondered why she never did any shopping. It's because my brother Aaron is the more responsible one, she thought silently to herself. She let out a sigh, knowing that the list of things Aaron does for her may never end.

As Maryanne was walking further up the trail, she finally saw the one she had been told to look for. "Hey, Aaron!" she implored, running up to her brother.

"What do you need?" Aaron asked, pausing for a moment.

"Jeffrey was looking for you. He said that he wanted to play two vs. two concrete hockey with you."

"Thanks for telling me, Maryanne. See you later," Aaron said.

"You're welcome," Maryanne replied as she continued down the trail to her destination. She noticed that the grass was getting greener than the normal shade which means that midsummer was coming. An excited shiver ran throughout her body. When midsummer comes, everything is prettier, and it's much warmer than normal.

Maryanne continued down the trail, smiling, coming ever nearer to the beautiful forest. She was really excited to be able to spend the day surrounded by nature and had a skip in her step as she approached her destination.

She then passed a rickety old wood sign that was labeled 'Forest Entrance,' and she then knew that she was finally in the forest. She felt safer, and kind of happier in the forest. She did love nature, and her prowess in herbology showed it.

Maryanne took a deep breath of the refreshing Forest air, then breathed out. Before she looked for spree-lilies she was going to have some fun. She ran through the trees, startling birds and squirrels, who scurried away. Butterflies flurried around Maryanne's hair, and she laid down near a little spring, laughing happily as the tiny fish splashed in the water.

Maryanne ran her hands through the grass, then slowly stood up. It's just me and the forest, she whispers happily to herself. And I am going to enjoy it.

She looked at the sky, and the sun was high in it. It is nearing midday, she thought to herself.

Maryanne looked inside her pack and pulled out her lunch. It was a simple lunch, only a peanut butter sandwich, and an apple, but it was sufficient to her needs.

As Maryanne was eating, she watched the creek rush by. It was a thin creek, but the water still rushed by speedily. Little red crawdads shuffled around in their hiding spots beneath large stones, and moss carpeted the bottom of the creak, covering the mud. Little flowers spread all around the shore like children huddling around for free candy. As she was eating, she paused, this would be a perfect place for a picnic, she thought to herself. Maybe on the hike, we could stop here to eat before heading home.