For an English assessment...

Part 3

The day goes by in a flash. I guess that's because I've barely noticed it. It's just me. They don't notice me. My hair is braided today, but they don't know that, if I was anyone else they would. They would probably even notice the shiny periwinkle hair ribbon I tied at the bottom of my braid. So I made a decision. I don't care what happens to me. Tonight I'm going back to the forest. Through those trees, to that fire. I don't know the way, but that's okay. I didn't know the way before either. My empty, fading soul guided me. It led me to that clearing. I changed the second I had seen that fire, heard that laugh. But it makes no difference. Now the girl who belonged to that laugh and I are one and the same. Lost, broken, and angry. That's why I'm certain that I can find the clearing again.

I don't need a candle. For one thing, it would just get me discovered. But I've walked these halls over and over. I could find my way with my eyes closed. Not that it's much different in this pitch black. But I can still remember that fire, dancing in front of my eyes, blocking out the rest of the world and training my focus on the slow hypnotic dance of the flames. Perhaps I know I'm walking into a trap, but I have no fear, I have nothing to lose. These trees are a cage. This mountain is a place of mysteries. People have died in this forest, and they were swallowed by the world. This mountain, this school, were created by death and murder, and now it's my turn to contribute to that legacy. These trees are like archways, leading me towards my destination. The air is turning colder, telling me that I'm almost there. Finally, I'll be free.