Forgotten Pines: The Chronicle of the Kodnikado

SEVEN

SEVEN

Max
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When Uncle Gavin told us to explore Forgotten Pines I figured that maybe he'd give us a lift to the actual town. But no. He pointed in a direction, and told us the walk to town was only fifteen minutes by foot; as long as we stayed on the path.

Which we did, until Donny got the bright idea to find a "shortcut" through the woods.

I wouldn't have followed him if it weren't for Cemre dragging me along.

So now we were walking in the woods getting snagged by low branches, and tripping on unseen roots.

"Bright idea Donny". I jeered. I smacked a branch out of my way and stumbled over a decaying log. "Travel through the unknown death trap territory".

"It's called bieng adventurous". Donny said over his shoulder.

"It's called bieng stupid". I snapped back.

"The path was boring".

"Look," Cemre cut in, "As long as we travel in a straight line we'll eventually reach town".

Even as he spoke Donny was cutting off to the right. Deliberately ignoring Cemre's advice.

"Obviously he doesn't want to reach town". I grumbled.

I fished around in my pocket and pulled out my box of cigarettes. Just something to ease the frustration caused by my stupid brother.

"Is that a smart idea?" Cemre asked.

"Er.." I glanced around. The woods were vivid with life, but there were still patches of dead leaves and branches from last fall.

I swore under my breath and shoved the pack away.

I then took out my pain meds and dry swallowed two of the pills.

"How does your wrist feel?" Cemre asked as he balanced on a wide log. He swung his arms around and began steadily walking backwards.

"Hurts".

"Go figures". He hopped off the log and kicked up a shower's worth of dead leaves. "It's really quiet out here".

"Yeah".

It was kind of nice actually. The hum of constant traffic was replaced with the sounds of critters scattering, and birds chirping.

And the occasional shouts from Donny.

After a while of walking the flat grounds began shifting into sloped hills, and little rivers. It was kind of a sketchy walk with only one arm to my advantage.

I almost tumbled down a hillside twice already. If it weren't for Cemre catching me after I tripped on a root I'd probably be lying in one of the trenches.

"This is so cool". Donny shouted from somewhere up ahead.

I think we lost sight of him a while back.

I tried to get Cemre to go up ahead and find him, but he refused to leave my side after the tripping incident.

"Y'know we're like heading in the complete opposite direction of where we should be going". I pointed out.

"I know".

"We're gonna get lost if we don't turn around".

"Yeah".

Cemre suddenly stopped and I eventually followed his lead. He nodded to a log up ahead. "How about you wait there for a moment and I'll go get Donny".

I wasn't appealed by the idea, but I figured it would be better then chancing myself on a trip.

"Fine".

He gave my shoulder a playful shove. "Be back in a minute". Then he jogged away.

I took a seat on the log and waited.

And waited.

And waited.

By ten or so minutes I lost my patience and ditched the log.

I started in the direction Cemre had gone, but I made sure to stay clear of the hillside, and it's death fall.

"Yo guys!" I shouted. They couldn't be that far away. Right?

Maybe I should call..

I checked my phone, and sighed when I saw the lack of reception signal in the area.

"Guys! Donny! Cem-" My shouting was cut off when I tripped on my own shoelaces, and face planted into the ground. Thankfully I managed to turn my body enough so that the fall didn't affect my broken wrist.

"Shit". I murmered as I pushed myself up into a haunched position.

"Great". I glared down at my untied shoelaces. My right hand was pretty much useless. So I tried tying it with one hand. Unfortunately that didn't go very well.

There is no way I'm asking Cemre to tie my own damn shoe.

Taking in a deep breath, I attempted to use both hands.

I managed to get in a loop when a loud Snap caught my attention. I jarred my head to the side and peered around. I expected Cemre and Donny to come walking out, but they didn't.

It's a squirrel. Or maybe a chipmunk.

I returned my focus to the task at hand.

SNAP!

My head jerked up but the forrest was empty. No sign of Donny, or Cemre.

Just a critter. A very large critter. Maybe it's a raccoon.

I took in a deep breath to calm my nerves as I finished with my shoelaces.

And then it hit me.

A force strong enough to send me rolling to the edge of the hill. Which suddenly felt more like a cliff as I clawed at the ground for a hold. My fingers closed around a root and I jerked to a stop with my legs dangling over the drop.

I ground my teeth together to prevent the scream in my throat from escaping as pain seared my broken wrist.

Breath. Fucking breath Max! I mentally screamed when my lungs refused to work.

I was suffocating with my face pressed against the dirt, and my eyes screwed shut.

Lift your head!

I hesitated before following my own mental orders. I lifted my face and swallowed a lungful of fresh air.

Open your eyes!

Whatever crashed into me had to be massive in order to send me tumbling such a long ways.

And whatever the hell it was something told me that I didn't want to see it.

Stop bieng a coward Max and open your eyes!

I was in pain. I was dangling off a hill. And there may or may not be something lurking beyond my closed eyes.

I took in a pathetic amount of air, clenched my good hand around the root, then forced my eyes open.

There was....

Nothing.

I was complelty alone.

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Welp this chapter was pretty hard to write. 😅

If you enjoyed chapter seven please vote or comment.

Thankyou :)