Secrets of the Trees

2 - Bikes, Rain, and Pain?

I looked up at the trees, looking for a wide enough canopy to shy away from the rain under. Usually the rain here is inconsistent, and would let down every few minutes giving me enough time to make it home not too soggy. Then, I felt it. Just the tiniest drop fell on my nose. Sighing, I dropped my paint brush and can under a shaggy pine, then lifted up its skirt and sat with my back upright to the rough bark. The rain made a soft ping sound as it began to hit the dew-dampened earth.

I could sit here all day, the rain is ever so lovely...

Content, I was, easing my mind to the tranquil sounds of the forest. Nothing, absolutely nothing, could make me feel more safe than here. Something just draws me, so to speak. I don't know if you've ever had a moment where something just took your breath away and every thought you had with it; anyway, that's how I'd describe Elkwood. In case you were wondering, Elkwood is the name of where I am.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. Pulling it out, the screen read:

From: Mom

Hi sweetheart. Hope you're not still biking in the rain. I just got done picking up a few grocery items at Woodman's. I still have to go get dad's dry-cleaning, and then I'm going out to lunch with Molly and Lisa. See you around 3? Love you!

Smiling slightly, I closed my cell and slipped it back into my pocket. Most kids hate their parents and always vent to their friends about much they suck. Lucky for me, that's not my case because my parents are pretty great. In times that I was struggling to keep friends in my life, my parents were always there for me. Not once can I think of that they actually embarrassed me. Okay, maybe when they crank up 80's songs in the car and sing at the top of their lungs completely out of tune. Other than that, nothing any person tells me about how parents are evil could make me hate them one bit.

Looking out into the woods the rain still presses on.

That's odd...

I'd been sitting here for at least ten minutes and not once had the rain let up. Even odder is the fact that the weather on Yahoo! said that it was to be mostly sunny. Still, not a single logical explanation could creep into my mind, so I just figured I'd go and get it all over with. Lifting up the low-hanging bough flicked pebbles of water all around, as the sound of the rain caught up to my clothes. Nearly thirty seconds and I was already half soaked through.

I really wished I had worn my hoodie. While shuffling my dampened feet towards my bike, something hit me in the back; hard; it knocked me into the muddy trail like a bolt of lightning. Maybe it was lightning? Nah, who am I kidding?

I surveyed the damage while profusely using replacement swear words such as 'fudge' since my mother taught me to be lady-like. Mud caked jeans, a scraped elbow, but worst of all, a burning pain in my lower back.

"Hello...hello?"

No reply.

I repeated again.

"HELLO? Is there anyone else here?"

No reply.

Scowling, i reached for my lower back, and gingerly touched it, yelping when I did. I'd never felt such an intense pain before. Slowly and timidly I pulled my fingers back to my eyes, and let out a silent cry.

Blood.

Before I could do or say any more, my whole body stiffened, leaving me in a slumped-over position. Now, I couldn't even move. Not more than three seconds and I began swearing under my breath. There was no reaching for my cell phone now, as i felt my blood trickle down, whimpering in pain. Then I heard a noise.

Crack

A branch snapped. My eyes darted around as far as possible."Is someone there? Please, if there is, something has happened to me, I can't-" My sentence was cut off abruptly by my own scream.

Standing in front of me, even taller than before, was it. The creature with the dark-blue cloak. It pulled of its hood, revealing the most hideous face I've ever seen. Something in between a decaying mummy, and a star-nosed mole. Yes, I know, ooh a mole! So terrifying! But really, I've had nightmares about moles, and their heinous faces, believe me, this was the scariest looking thing I've ever seen.

The thing must have seen the fear in my eyes, because it pulled back its lips almost into a smile, revealing rows of black serrated fangs. Still laughing? I hope not...

You know how I said it looked like it was decaying? Well it must have been, because I could smell it even from twenty-five feet away... Yep, definitely rancid. This feels like something out of a book, am I still delusional? Too bad I can't pinch myself right now.

It started lethargically walking its way toward me; now with its hooded arm out, my muscles tensed harder, making the pain in my wound even more severe. That must be what's immobilizing me. But, how? Never have I once believed in magic. Never. And here are my biggest fears, death, and moles wrapped up into one monster probably about to kill me. There wasn't even a way out of this, it's not like one of those James Bond movies where he can get himself out of anything. Honestly, this is reality, and maybe even the scariest thing, ever.

It stopped just inches before me, somehow not affected by the rain whatsoever. The rancid breath was unbearable.

Closing my eyes I silently prayed. Tears streaked down my face as I opened my eyes, and the creature's teeth were back out again, only even sharper looking now. Then it started to make a noise, something like a hiss and a grunt combined, quite possibly trying to tell me this will only hurt a little. I had no idea what this is, who or what it is, why its here, or what I have to do with anything, all I do know is, pray. Hard.

Another snap sounded, and the monster snarled, darting it's eyes behind me. It let go of it's grip on me, and my body went limp, falling into the sludge. A turbulent vortex appeared behind it, and it disappeared back to the black hole I saw just yesterday. A warm light poured around me, and before I blacked out, my vision was blurred but I heard voices enclosing on me.

And then I was out...

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AUTHOR'S NOTE:

While I know this is no "sexy vampire romance novel", I still hope people like this. My inspiration came from so many fantasy series, as well as my own imagination. I began this idea of a land when I was around eight. Not having known of "Bridge to Terrabithia", I called my little imaginary land, "Terrecea." Apparently, the suffix "terra" means earth, which is quite the coincidence since I was so young and hadn't learned about those things yet. Please forgive me, I had some major errors, actually. Every time i used italics, it wouldn't space the words, my apologies. Anyway, if you've been following the beginning of my story:

I'd absolutely love feedback, and everyone who is enjoying my story!

xxx