The Hidden Sun

Chapter III

About 40 minutes later, I was still staring out the window into the harsh weather. I couldn't wait until I got to climb the trails. Jessie and I had moved to the small town of Newport Valley, New York at the beginning of June. Surrounded by beautiful mountains, I spent my summer running and hiking. My first trip was supposed to be Northern Trails with Jessie, but the day before we were supposed to go, she changed her mind and forbid me from ever setting foot on those trails. Whenever I asked her about it, she just made up some excuse about bear attacks. I know I should have felt bad about disobeying her, but I just couldn't see the danger. If there were really bears, the school wouldn't let us hike there.

As I stared out the cold window, I saw the bright yellow sign of Northern Trails. In the dreary rain. it looked really out of place, but to me it was what I have been waiting for all summer.

"Alright!" yelled Coach. "Everyone get a partner and stay with them. I don't want to assign partners like you're in first grade. If I find you by yourself, I'm sending you to the buses. Now go have fun!"

Suddenly everyone started piling out of the bus at once. I decided to just hang back while I looked for a partner. After not being able to find anyone, I figured that what Coach doesn't know won't hurt him. Besides, I didn't want anyone holding me back.

As soon as the coast was clear, I headed for the right trail. I was on a mission to reach the river which was ten miles away. I had heard that it is the prettiest sight in Newport Valley. I couldn't wait to finally see it for myself.

As I moved down the trail, I started to get an eerie feeling. Like something was following me. Paranoid, I stopped walking and listened. After hearing nothing except for my heavy breathing and pounding heart, I started walking again. For some reason, I had this feeling of Deja vu. I had experienced this before. But where?

Snap! This time I was sure I heard it. I quickly spun around on the trail just in time to see a shadow run behind a tree.

"Hello?" I asked, my voice muffled by the rain and the thick forest. After hearing nothing, I kept walking, thinking it was just my overactive imagination. Where has this happened before? Then it hit me-my dream. It was exactly like the nightmare I had been having for months. I knew what was going to happen next too.

As I got more paranoid, I started walking faster. Soon I was full on sprinting through the woods. I was going so fast that I couldn't control the momentum when I tripped. I had seen the huge tree root on the trail, but I couldn't stop myself in time. I cried out as my foot caught and twisted and I fell painfully on my shoulder. Just before hitting the ground, I saw a tree branch curling towards me and bright green eyes shining in my direction. Exactly like a cat's. Then everything was black.

***

I woke up with my head banging against a car door. I sat up quickly the same time I realized my mistake. I winced painfully as my shoulder seemed to scream in pain.

"Careful there," said a voice. I quickly looked over to see Mr. Adams.

"W-what am I doing here?" I croaked out. He pursed his lips and started down at me.

"What do you remember?" he asked hesitantly. All that popped into my mind was moving trees and a figure running towards me. Deciding that I must be crazy, I responded differently.

"I don't remember anything," I lied. He seemed to visibly relax at that.

"You fell on the trail and twisted your ankle," he responded. "Seems like you might have hurt you shoulder too."

"Um, where are we going, Mr. Adams?" I asked instead of replying.

"Call me Chris," he corrected. "We're going to the school to meet your mom. I volunteered to drive you."