The Forest

Chapter: 27

    My mother did not get any better. She was not breathing correctly and when she tried to stand she'd fall down to the floor like a tower that had just been hit by a bomb. Suzanne's mother had taken her to the hospital. As they left Suzanne looked blank, it was like she had already mentally prepared herself for this situation. I watched as they pulled away, not knowing if that was the last time I'd see my mother.  Or was she going so insane that even if I were to see her again she wouldn't remember me? Or would she just stay inside that house forever wrapped up in a cacoon? I worried about her. I wanted her to get better though, and if that meant she had to get away then I'd have to accept that. Leaving her alone is a chance that's too risky to take. 

    Suzanne and I stood in the streets. It was dark and the only light came from the poles over top of our heads. It was quiet, but the quiet felt thin as if at any moment their would be something to interupt, and break, through it.

    "For as long as I could remember I've had nightmares about this forest...dreaming that one night my brother would come for me and kill me in my sleep..I'd lay awake, eyes widened, so I could catch him if he tried..he never did. Although, maybe that was the point. He terrified me so bad he didn't have to be in my presence for me to be afraid..I just had to think he'd show up. The fear of anticipation" Suzanne remarks, thinking out loud I suppose. She was right, he had power over our minds. Power that is not created by him, but by us. 

    "You think this time he'll be afraid? He's anticipating our arrival.." Suzanne questions

    "No...unlike us he doesn't have any fear...he's already dead" I answer her 

    "Do you honestly think this'll help?" Suzanne asks, lifting up a bookbag filled with things I had gathered. Things that I don't think would do us a favor, but it wouldn't hurt to bring. 

    "A flashlight, a knife, clothes, water, food, cellphone, ...you got any death certificates by any chance?" she asks, anger in her face. 

    "Give me that" I say and take it out of her hands, "...I don't know what to prepare for..this isn't exactly a camping trip" I whisper pulling out the knife that I had in the bag roling it through my hands, "but if he wants a fight...I'll give him one" 

    "We have to stay close and alert..anything and everything can happen" Suzanne said and an image of Elizabeth made it's way into my head. Seeing blood all over the floor and hearing that scream...that'll haunt me. It still does to this very moment. No matter who you are or how old, no mercy is made for you in the forest. 

    "Let's go" I pronounce and I could feel my whole body shaking again. We walked over to the fence. I took the knife and cut a bigger gap into it so we could fit, then I took out the flashlight handing it to Suzanne. I take a glance over at her and take a step inside. I could hear how heavy I was breathing. I couldn't see anything. It was too dark for me to make out any figures. The flashlight only permitted some light and only showed cracks inbetween the trees. There was a smell...a smell that reeked of rotten flesh and blood. It made me feel sick. There was also a fog or mist that sort of sprayed in our eyes. It made me feel faint and distraught. 

    "I..I don't see anything..I feel dizzy" Suzanne whispers from behind me because of her fear. 

    "I don't think they want to be seen..." I respond, but only loud enough for myself to hear. This sense of security can only last but so long. Or is there really any security at all? Our minds are trying to covince of things that aren't true. 

    We took small steps, listening and observing. Suddenly a strong wind started to blow it seemed out of nowhere. It gushed and blew harder than any wind we've ever felt before. It started to circle around us so quickly we didn't have time to react. It turned up and spun us over and over. We tried to hang on to each other. Underneath us we could feel the ground shifting.