𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 || 𝐉𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐒𝐈𝐌

𝙿𝚛𝚘𝚕𝚘𝚐𝚞𝚎

10 years ago

The evening breeze enveloped you like a soft hug, warm and inviting. Dinner wouldn't be done for a while, so, naturally, you begged your parents to let you stay outside just a littlee longer.

There was plenty of room to play - there was much to explore. Yet, you found yourself bored. Your little eight-year-old self was only allowed to wander so far - with respect to your parents' wishes - but here's the thing: you thought it best to expand your boundaries. You'd grown tired of climbing the same old trees,  swinging on the same old swing, and playing in the same old pond. Nothing but acres of woods surrounded your home, and you were determined to discover what they held. It wouldn't hurt to venture out a little, right?

You confidently paraded your way over to the edge of the forest, looked back at your house (you know, to make sure your parents weren't watching), and ran straight for the trees. You stopped once out of breath and looked around. It was underwhelming, frankly, but still a pretty scene nonetheless. You couldn't spot anything out of the ordinary, although you strained your eyes to do so. No fairies, unicorns, or goblins, to your dismay. You saw trees - red maple, white oak, pine - the occasional bush,  and a patch of daisies. Your mother liked daisies. You bent down to gather some and began your walk home.

There were two problems, however. One, you didn't exactly know how to get home, and two, it was growing increasingly dark. Now beginning to panic, you squeezed your eyes shut, fists balled at your side, and screamed for help.

You listened closely for a response, praying to hear some distant shout from your mother or father, but instead heard...laughter? You listened again.

"Hey! Give it back!" A boy! A group of them? Startled, you backed away and ran. As you ran, you began to hear a voice - a familiar one at that: your papa.

"I'm here," you shouted frantically, "I'm here, I'm here, I'm here!" You could hear him draw nearer and nearer - the sound of twigs snapping, leaves rustling, his heavy breathing.

"Daddy, does anybody live out there?" you asked, pointing behind you. He pulled you into a hug. "No sweetie, not anymore. Not for a long long time. Why?"