Run for it

Chapter Fifteen- I can't believe she's gone

Callum's POV:

The wind was howling and tree branches were getting smacked against others. The low grumble of thunder echoed through the forest as I trudged along, hands stuffed in pockets. Small specks of rain started to fall onto my face and neck as the grey clouds covered the once blue sky.

I had woken up and decided to go on a walk to clear my head. Bad idea. The heavens had decided to open as I was leaving, so now it was more of a walk in the rain then a walk to clear my head.

Looking around I saw the charred remains of a forest in my wake. That was odd. I hadn't seen any forest fires or anything of the sort.

It is so strange that autumn is so beautiful yet everything is dying. But here, instead of a sprinkling of beautiful amber leaves shrouding the forest floor, there was a thick blanket of cinders, covering tree branches, plants and fallen leaves, leaving a deadly silent, dying landscape. The birds had stopped singing, the crickets had stopped chirruping and even the clouds had stopped thundering. The only sound left, was the sound of rain pelting the broken scene that stood before me. The black ash turning into a trail of sludge, leading of to far away places.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something glinting. Something twinkling away, a ray of light, in this desolate, dreary place. I crouched down and reached my hand out towards it. Turning it over in my hand, I finally realized what it was. So scared by this, I almost dropped it.

It was Artemisia's compass.

Artemisia was here.

I couldn't believe this - I wouldn't, believe this. But it was all there. The compass, here stuff was even round the side of the tree. It was slightly singed, but that didn't make a difference to the fact it was actually hers'. Nothing but burnt land and others un-charred trees were around for what looked like miles of forest.

I walked over to the lake, cupped my hands, scooped up some water, and poured it over my face. I looked out across the lake, and saw nothing but more and more trees. There were no significant landmarks, no way of telling where you really were. If you lived here, you would have to know every nook, and every cranny, every gnarled tree root, every rabbit hole - or otherwise you would surely get lost.

With nothing left to do, I walked back to the others, following the marks I'd left in the ground to find my way, and took a long hard look at this residential trip. A supposed team building journey. A supposed fun time. A supposed safe outing.

Thirty three went in.

Thirty two came out.

Author's note:

Hey guys! I know, I know I haven't updated this in ages, but next time when I don't update, I have either forgotten, or I haven't had enough time. I do have my flute exam on Wednesday, so don't expect anything else from me, and if you do get something out of me, you can tell I've been procrastinating, and writing this instead of practicing my flute piece. Remember, if you have any questions about this, or any of my other books, here are all my contact thingys (P.S where it says at, is supposed to be the at symbol, not the word):

Email: y14marshallhatperins.hants.sch.uk or helenahunteratgmail.com

Instagram: Beautiful_.quotes._

Or y'know you can PM, but I don't answer that as much as my emails, so yeah. Bye!!!!!!!!! See you guys next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!