Forgotten Pines: The Chronicle of the Kodnikado

TWELVE

TWELVE

Max
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Footprints! What better way to know if something has or hasn't been. All I needed were prints. And that meant going to the very place I was shoved yesterday.

Unfortunately, direction wasn't my strong suit.

So yeah. I was lost; In the woods; by myself with no means of protection. Not to mention I was one arm short, and sporting a bad leg.

On top of all that my cellphone was useless out here.

So calling anyone for help was out of the picture.

"Great idea Max". I mumbled under my breath as I ducked out of the way of a branch. "You pulled a real Donny this time".

You act before you think.

It was true.

Because of what happened yesterday, combined with that dream today I  completly tossed common sense out the window.

And now I was dealing with the consequences.

I stopped in the shade of a huge pine tree and carefully took off my hoodie. I was getting really hot from walking. And thirsty.

I ran my good hand through my hair and took in my surroundings. I was standing within a cluster of pine trees. Each taller then the other. Honestly, none of it looked familiar from the other day.

I really need Cemre right now. I mentally groaned.

My brother was good with directions. And slapping sense into poeple. Which was something I probably needed.

I tied my hoodie around my waist then continued straight on east. Or west. I wasn't exactly sure.

I should have paid closer attention in geography class this year.

I walked and walked and walked until my bad knee was screaming for a rest. And even then I didn't stop. My determination to sort out the issue at hand was driving me onwards.

When the land finally changed into familiar slopes and trenches I felt a great sense of accomplishment. Sure I probably wasn't in the right area, but I was getting closer. I was positive of that.

"This looks familiar". I thought aloud as I passed a tight knit group of small Birch tree's. "Or...maybe not".

I should have paid closer attention to my surroundings yesterday.

The only thing I had a clear memory of was the log I sat on. Which probably wasn't much help since the woods were inhabited by such things.

I am so not made for this.

I dropped my chin to my chest and mozied forwards.

Why is it so damn hot?!

I was literally walking in the shade. The sun couldn't touch me.

There was also the cursed mosquitos.

I had already slapped myself, trying to kill them little suckers, more times then I could count.

Dad sent us into a nightmere!

I lifted my bad arm and swiped at a bug buzzing to close too my ear. Unfortunately I never hit it, but I did wind up smacking my hand on a nearby tree. The result was pain, and alot of swearing as I hugged my wrist to my chest.

Why does everything have to involve pain?!

I rolled my head back then turned my focus to the front.