Possibilities

Morgan

After I'd had about four hours of sleep, Alica came and woke me up to keep watch. I walked out into the night and leaned against a tree. I listened to the sound of water rushing in a nearby creek.

 Oh my god. I thought as I reflected upon the events of the past day and a half. Yes, day and a half. May sixth had also been a strange day- at least is was after 12 o'clock. Honestly, there isn't one thing in this world that I DESPISE more than cats! They're just so... Freaky. So, you can imagine how surprised I was when a TALKING cat showed up on my doorstep. I wasn't surprised by a cat- not at first. My whole live, I had actually been stalked by cats- thus my hating of them. Even when I think I'm alone in my room, there's always a glinting green eye peeking in my window.

So, anyways this talking cat just says "Your eradication draws nigh!" and runs off. I mean what the heck? I thought I was hallucinating and consequently, I didn't tell anyone. Who wants everyone thinking they're crazy? I just kind of brushed it off and went back to my normal, happy life. But after the events of the past day, I began to doubt myself. I had been wrong about all my videoo games. They weren't safe. How could I be sure this cat was just a trick of my mind?

I shook my head to clear my mind. Don't think like that. Be optimistic! Expect the best and it will come to you. I smiled at myself. This was all probably just a bad dream anyways! No it isn't! Everything around me seemed to scream those words over and over, just about crushing all my hope.

I remembered the Bible verse from Psalms, which we had learned in sunday school 'The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.' I knelt down and prayed,

Dear LORD,

 Please just get me and my friends out of this alive. Please. I know it's a lot to ask but, I don't want to die. I'm scared but if I won't make it through this anyways just kill me now. If anything, I'd rather not suffer. You know what? Forget about me. Forget about everything I just said. Just please find some way to let my family know that they'll never see them again and... That I love them. And if you can find the time, take care of Alica and Tyler. Thanks.

Love always,

Morgan Stone

Amen.

I finished my prayer and looked up. There in the soft mud of the riverbank was something I hadn't noticed before. Footprints! They were large and seemed to be from some kind of cat. I knew that a huge predator like that could seriously injure one of us. I picked up a sharp stick set out to follow the trail, and ensure that the animal lived far, far away!

In that rainforest, everything seemed to make me jump. The slightest moan of a tree or snap of a twig made me jump, but still I trekked onward, through the dense covering of plants. At one point, it began to rain. After about five seconds, I was soaked! Then, just as quickly as it had come, the precipitation vanished.

Then, I heard something! It wasn't just a normal forest sound, this was more of a rustle, like an animal was walking slowly towards me. The noise seemed to come from one direction, then another and another! It was circling around me, getting closer and closer- but I didn't dare move a mussel. I finally accepted that this was the end as a sleek leopard stepped out of the shrubbery. Spots coated his tan fur and a long, full tail swayed low to the ground. His beautiful body tensed when he saw me and he crouched down, as if he was about to pounce, which he was.

I accepted my death, maybe even welcomed it. Even so, with one brief, earsplitting shriek, I let out my frustration with the world. It told of my anger, madness, and and worry. But mostly, that final breath, that sound told of my hope. My hope for my friends, family, and community. My hope for everyone. My hope for whoever put us in this awful place to see reason and let us out. My hope for the world to love, forgive, and forget. I had hoped for so many things in my life, and not seen them happen. At least my final wish would be fulfilled. The racket would wake up my friends, and they would find my body. If they ever got out of that wretched place, they could tell my family. I found comfort in death, knowing that God had granted all I had asked. All I felt in the moment before it all ended, was thankfulness. God really was a great guy.

Just like that, the leopard pounced on me. I felt no pain. Only a sort of blankness, like I had been freed. Next was a sensation like flying. Soaring through the air! And a blinding white light. After my eyes adjusted I saw my grandfather, who had died five years earlier reaching out to me. "Welcome home, Morgan," he whispered, embracing me in a warm hug.

Finally, all my suffering was over. There was no need to pretend anymore. For the first time in my life, I truly was happy.

"I ask for nothing. I can get by. But I know so many less lucky than I." - God Help the Outcasts

eradication- the complete destruction of something.

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Author's note:

Hi, guys! Thanks for reading! Sorry about the sad ending... I almost cried when I was writing it. Please feel free to point out any errors and make suggestions in the comments! I would like to thank @boscobae for helping me a bit with the plot of this chapter. I was having trouble after the whole 'talking cat' bit ans she helped me get back on track! Again, thanks for reading!

-Amelia Pond