Forest of Shadows

1

I started to pack up. School finally ended after what felt like forever, but wasn't too bad though. A teacher quit her job in front of us, which was entertaining to watch. It's also been pretty cold lately probably because winter is coming up, but I don't pay attention to the season unless it's autumn. I love fall because it's just really enjoyable. Also, it smells great. As a walker, I get my steps in. I honestly hate walking home, I mean I already spent all my energy on the drums. Lucky for me, my best friend is waiting for me outside the school. He's honestly a keeper.
"Tristin, over here!"
Arnold yelled out. I ran over to him, the cold breeze
Hitting my face. I looked around slightly to see the school garden looking as beautiful as ever, with all the different colored roses, tulips, and daisies. The smell was sweet and reassuring, but I soon realized it was a girl's perfume, but still, The natural smell of the cool breeze was calming and somehow nostalgic. The sky was also clear but seemingly had no sun. After I stopped analyzing the area I stopped in front of Arnold.
"Hey Arnold. Why are you here earlier than normal?"
I scratched the back of my head. Arnold was usually here after me.
"Some girls are after me, and if I don't get going they will tie me to a tree!"
He looked around panicked. I let out a huff at the ridiculous situation he's in.
"Seriously? Well, the last one to the stop sign is a rotten egg!"
I ran down the sidewalk while he ran after me yelling something. I was the first one at the stop sign while he stopped to catch his breath.
"You are so slow, man! You have to try getting faster bud,"
I pat his back with a smirk while he shook me off.
"I just wasn't ready,"
He wiped his forehead while panting. I rolled my eyes as we kept walking. After some time Arnold was distracted by a food truck. He normally gets distracted by quick food stops because the walk is so long, and I don't blame him. However, I always got bored because he waited for such a long time in the lines, so like the person I am I decided to sneak away. He wouldn't mind, right? I think I'm a great "adventurer", and what's better to do than run off somewhere I've never been? I decided to run down a few streets just for fun until one particular street was longer than the rest. The run felt like hours (it was only 6 minutes, which is still long) until eventually, I stopped in front of a huge forest. It was dark because of all the shadows the trees created. I should go in there. I thought. I mean, it's a big scary forest and I'm a 14-year-old what's better than going in it? As I walked closer I kept thinking about where I might've heard about this forest before. Big scary forest, big scary forest. I thought, trying to regain my memory. Before stepping into the shadows Arnold grabbed my shoulder panting.
"Dude! Don't go running off like that, I swear you could've been killed,"
He squealed, shaking me a bit.
"Calm down dude. It's fine, see? Not a scratch,"
I held back a huff at his panic, showing him I was fine.
"Tristin, you almost walked into the forbidden forest,"
He said slowly as if trying to make me understand like a dog.
"So that's what I was trying to remember, it was on the tip of my tongue,"
I huffed this time, looking back at the forest.
"That's one forest all right, but just because it looks like it came right out of a book that doesn't mean it's actually that dangerous,"
I said, rolling my eyes.
"Tristin, just never go in there. You're my only friend who can also protect me from bullies,"
He said in a whiny tone. I snickered at his dramaticness and patted his back.
"Alright, alright, I get it! No need to be so polite. Come on, let's go get home now,"
I said with a smirk. After a long walk of talking, we split ways when we got close to our houses. I checked the time. It read 6:18 luckily my mom isn't home, so she won't freak out. I walked into the room, placed my bag down, and immediately walked over to my drums. It might not seem like it, but I have a lot of stress I need to relieve, and playing the drums helps. I played my set for as long as I needed, before eventually stopping, and flopping onto my bed with a random groan. I was bored now, with nothing to do, except sit on my phone, though I don't like sitting still. Even though staying still sucked, I soon got distracted by TikTok. After maybe 30 minutes my mom knocked on my door.
"Tristin, get your ass out here and prepare dinner,"
She hissed through the door. I groaned, getting up and leaving my room. I was immediately intoxicated why cigarette smoke. My mother needed to stop smoking indoors. I decided to make a Salade Niçoise, considering we have all the ingredients. After some preparation and cooking, I set the table. I wasn't hungry, so I just went back to my bedroom.
After several hours the clock hit midnight and yet I was still awake. I have school tomorrow, I thought. I have nothing better to do right now, so why not go visit the forbidden forest?  That name is lame though, so I'm gonna call it The Forest of Shadows. Yeah, that's a good name. I put my coat and shoes on, and I soon left the house. I got on my bike, unlocked it, and biked to the forest. Everyone has told me not to go, but it's just a forest. It was a quiet and peaceful night. The stars shined brightly (there was great viewing of the stars in my town), and the moon was full. I was still a bit chilly, even though I was wearing a coat. It also smelled cold, if that makes any sense. After a nice bike ride (I almost fell off a few times) I arrived outside the forest. I parked my bike and stood right outside the forest.
"Hello, forest. I'm Tristin,"
I said, laughing at what I just said.
I snickered, walking into the forest. The moment I entered I felt a chill go up my spine, but that's probably just because it's cold out. The scenery of the forest was messy and all over the place. Bushes were destroyed, small dead animals (mainly just squirrels, no big deal), and clawed trees, but nothing that was not out of nature except for the weird chills, though as I kept going, the farther I walked the more disturbing it got. The scenery got worse, and it showed the aftermath of burnt things and actual death. Though it was not that bad, I felt the need to turn back. I'm not a baby though, so I won't turn back. It got pretty boring quickly, but I remembered I brought a little something. Spray paint. I know nobody will see my great spray paint work, but I still want to do it. I took out a few different spray paints and found a pretty big tree, so I got to work. I'm not going to lie, it took me maybe an hour, but I spray-painted the phrase "The Forest of Shadows.", which is a great way to make my point. The area was quiet, no wind, no rustling, nothing. It honestly creeped me out. I've made my point, so it's about time I head home anyway. I was walking to the start of the forest (I had to walk pretty far because the tree I used was far in the forest), though I stopped when I heard a loud thump behind me. Thump, thump, thump. It played over and over as if getting closer. I snapped my body around, only to see nothing. I shrugged and turned around, still walking to the start of the forest. Thump, thump, thump. It rang in my head again, getting louder. I turned around again but still nothing, so I kept walking. Thump, thump, thump. Again? I'm pretty fed up at this point, nobody wants to keep hearing a horrible thumping noise.
"That's it, who's there-"
I cut myself off, at the sight of a person not far from me. They wore a black cloak that completely covered their face, they also had a large scythe that looked like it belonged to death. Ok, ok not that dumb. It immediately struck me that it was Death, well that's dramatic. It was probably some kid dressed up as death trying to scare me.
"Listen, kid the costume doesn't scare me. Now go on and leave me alone,"
I said, putting my hands in my pockets. It took a few minutes for the other person to respond, but when they did, they said,
"You think I'm wearing a costume? Well, child believe it or not you've already made a mark."
The other said in a deep and raspy voice. I scoffed. They're trying to trick me. I thought. While I wasn't paying attention I felt a pain in my arm. The man cut my arm with the scythe. I jumped back.
"What the hell!"
I shouted, holding the cut.
"You have already made your mark, you can't leave,"
They said. I didn't care if they were Death or not, all I knew was that were dangerous. I sprinted towards the start of the forest, getting on my bike just in time. I messily biked away as fast as possible. I already made my mark. What did that even mean? After an unpleasant bike ride, I arrived back at my house. I snuck inside quickly, not bothering to lock my bike. The cut wasn't bad. It was more like a scratch, but because of what my dad taught me, I ran. I feel like a coward, but better safe than sorry. I cleaned up the small amount of blood and slapped a bandaid on it. I trotted back to my room and jumped on the bed. I'm just going to try and forget what happened, no need to worry about some random guy who is probably on drugs, and living in the forest. Plus, it's only a small scratch no need to threat.