You're Timeless

•{ A Walk in the Woods }•

Lucielle loved nature. She regularly hiked to different areas, but her favorite is a field she discovered not too long ago. The field was surrounded by trees and bushes. Deers would often come there to graze and prance. The birds loved to join in on Lucielle's picnics. They loved her homemade bread. Sometimes she'd bring seeds with to feed them when she didn't have bread.

But enough about the birds, let's focus on Lucielle. She was on her weekly hike to her field. She leapt over stray roots and rocks. The ground was wet from the rain that morning. She had picked the wrong day to wear her Mary Jane's. Mud had accumulated on the soles of her shoes. That didn't stop her though. She knew she could wash them in the river later. As she trek through the woods she hummed to herself.

She arrived at the clearing and was greeted by the chirping of birds. The girl searched through her bag and pulled out a blanket for her to sit on. The cloth had a floral pattern with butterflies scattered throughout. She loved this blanket with all her heart. 

But before she even set it down, she heard rustling in the bushes to her left. The blonde felt uneasy just looking in the direction of the noise. It didn't sound like any animal she had come across. It couldn't have been the wind either, no it was too forceful. And being a bit curious, but also scared, Lucielle cautiously approached the trees.

It was obvious the college student had no concern for her own safety. This was a trait she got from her grandmother. Cindy, Lucielle's grandmother, was someone who didn't think before acting and this had rubbed off on Lucielle. She quickly stuffed her blanket back in her messenger bag and pressed forward into the side of the woods she had never explored.

She hadn't planned for an event like this. Loose branches caught on her dress from time to time. She almost tripped over roots that stuck out or the ground more than once.

The further in she went the more uneasy she felt. Despite the feelings, she continued through the woods.

After what felt like an hour, she arrived at a small cottage. The structure was quite damaged. It seems to have been there for a long while. The windows were covered in dust, or just completely shattered. Peering through a hole in one of the broken pane, Lucielle spotted a book. This book was worn and tattered. An old brown leather cover torn at the edges. On the cover was the words, "Paganism and Witchcraft" painted in black lettering. This was a homemade spellbook.

The freckled woman's eyes lit up like stars. She had always wanted one, but couldn't find the right kind. This is a gift from the gods, Lucielle thought.

Then a thought entered the girl's head, How am I going to get it? The cottage was in no state to be entered. But just in case, she poked the wood test it's strength. Her finger left a small dent in the surface. She walked towards the door, and hesitantly grabbed the handle. She twisted the knob and careful pushed the door inward. The sound it created was ear-bleedingly loud. Upon entering the building she was greeted by a nauseous feeling. The air felt stale in the cottage. The tall woman trudged toward the table where the book was.

Looking down at the item she noticed a bookmark sticking out. She moves her hands to open the book, but before she could even read the page, she finds herself breathing heavily and shaking.

Her head feels full and empty at the same time. Her hands grip the table for support in the event she collapses. Her skin feels wrong on her. Her bones feel comparable to static. All of her senses were being assaulted. This was not what she had expected. The white knuckle grip she had on the table loosened. She couldn't focus on anything.

Before she knew what happened she fell to floor unconscious.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Lucielle awoke she found herself in a much cleaner and less rotted version of the cottage. How did the structure seem to be completely brand new? Just before this the wood so rotted that a simple poke left a divot. Lucielle grabbed her glasses from the floor and inspected them for any cracks. Luckily there were only a few scratches.

Her head was pounding. How long had she been on the floor? That was the question she found herself wandering. She pushed her body off the floor to sit up. Her eyes scanned the room and the book was nowhere to be seen. Pulling herself fully from the ground she stood. Turning around to face the exit, she bolted.

She had no clue where she was going, but that didn't matter. She didn't want to be in that place. Slowing down to catch her breath she found herself surrounded by unfamiliar trees. She collapsed to the ground.

Lucielle was completely and utterly lost.