Standing Still, Time Lies

Chapter 7: Cherry Pips

I look down at the forest floor. It is filled with leaves and twigs, the low sun is filtering through the trees, casting eerie shadows. I follow close behind them both, the pace slow and steady. As we walk, a feeling of peace and tranquility washes over me, and my fear and tensions start to fade. I take a deep breath, my lungs filling with the fresh air as I listen to the sounds of nature all around me.

They both stop suddenly. I stop as well, following Brandon's gaze as he looks into the dim forest ahead of us all.

"Shhh, get down." he whispers quietly, crouching low to the floor, a look of concern and worry on his face.

I look at him and follow his gaze into the forest, my eyes searching for what he is seeing. Suddenly, the bushes move and rustle before us, the sound coming from just a few feet away. My heart races and my breath catches in my throat, my fear coming back with full force as I freeze in my tracks, crouching low to the ground.

The bushes continue to move, the leaves rustling loudly as something moves through them. I stay still, the hairs on the back of my neck standing up as I'm consumed with the feelings of being watched. I'm afraid to move or make any noise, fearing that whatever is in there might hear me.

The movement in the bushes continues, though I still can't make out what it is. I close my eyes, trying to block out the darkening forest and the fear filling me.

The leaves are rustling louder now, and I can feel the air moving from the motion. I hear breathing, but it's quiet and soft, like someone is trying to be as silent as possible.

I stare into the bushes, my mind racing with thoughts of what is waiting on the other side. Do I just crouch here and wait, or do I try to make a break for it?

I want to run, but my mind tells me I should stay put and try to hide, or id give away my friend's location too. I look over at them both, hoping they'll make a decision on what to do next.

Then, the rustling stops. The air is still, the atmosphere tense and silent. I don't know what to do, my mind reeling with anxiety. Should I do something? Should I stay still? It was like time had stopped with our movements, the sun casting low, long shadows across the floor.

I force myself to stay as still and as silent as possible, watching the bush intently. I notice how slowly Brandon is breathing, as if he's trying not to be heard. I don't move a muscle, but my breath comes out in short spurts and I start to tremble. The rustling grows stronger as the sounds get closer and closer...

Suddenly, a girl, with short red hair littered with leaves and twigs, appears. She looks to be around the same age as us, with a notebook and pen in her hands as she writes something quickly and scribbles something out. She stops for a moment, composing herself and brushing away the stray leaves in her hair, noticing the three of us just standing there in the dim light. She raises an eyebrow, the scowl on her face revealing her annoyance, as she stares at us with a look of suspicion.

"Can I help you?" she asks, her question dripping with sarcasm and irritation.

There in the shadows of the forest, a creature stands by the edge of the nearby clearing. It's small, and blends in with the bushes, other than its dark purple body. It has vines for legs and a tail which looked to be formed of sets of twisted vines, ending with a pretty purple flower. Its face is contorted into a grimace, small fangs gnawing on a nearby tree. It lurks in the shadows, turning around as I stumble backwards, to pin us with an icy glare, its red tinged eyes glowing brightly in the darkness.