Child of the Moon

Chapter 3- Gone

         I was slightly bewildered by the vision, as I had never experienced anything of the sort before. However, I took a large purse and began tossing provisions into it. I took food, water and a few articles of clothing that I had stored in my room, but not much else. I was driven- all I knew was that I had to reach the angel.

         I passed the kiln room as I left. I hugged Arianna and only told her that I was leaving to find my power. She wished me luck, whispering that I needed to leave Matthiew and Jezzine. And as I rushed upon my way, I saw a single tear slide down her cheek.

         I slipped easily out into the warm day. The guards saluted me but did not think anything of me leaving. I escaped into the woods. Things did not feel friendly in the woods, however. I was surrounded entirely by dark, looming trees. Ravens cawed mockingly, and I flinched when one flew overhead. A monkey swung through the trees, grinning grotesquely at me. When I caught glimpses of the sky, it was dark and ominous. I stepped lightly through the dense foliage, looking around warily. As I followed the forest trails, intuition guided me. I simply followed the new sense that had shown me the vision of the Angel and now was guiding me to her. At a fork in the pathway, I peered down either side.

         One way promised less dense foliage, but a slightly rockier, less cleared pathway. The pathway on my right side had such a dense canopy that it was as though the path was covered with a roof. However, the path was wider and had less obstacles. My newfound sense of intuition guided me down the right-hand road, and I was relieved that I would not have to navigate the less clear path. Once I tripped and fell on a log; the birds circling overhead suddenly seemed to laugh mockingly. I gathered myself and continued on.

         At every turn, I was fearful of seeing a Sun Spirit. I saw Matthiew and Jezzine’s eyes upon the animals. I shuddered; it was eerie. Occasionally I closed my eyes to block out the disturbing images I found in the forest.

         When night fell, I climbed high into a tree, fearfully shying away from every sound. I stared at the moon and wondered about the Angel. A twinge of doubt followed. I had no idea what I was stumbling into, but I did know that the Angel would guide me. I calmed.  I stared at the moon the entire night.  I confronted some of my fears; I thought only of how I would forget Matthiew. A bird alighted on a small branch near me, and I studied it with interest. I had climbed above the “roof” of the forest, and found several types of birds living above. This particular bird was a vibrant lavender in color, and its eyes were a pure black. It could easily sit in the palm of my hand. I noticed with surprise that its feet and tiny legs were a crème color. The bird studied me in return, let out a sharp birdcall that sounded like a note being pressed on a piano, and flew off. As I looked around, the moonlight illuminated the treetops below me, and I couldn’t find any other birds of that color. Strange. I refocused on Matthiew, and suppressing my memories of him. When the sun began to rise, I gave way to sleep.

         I awoke as the sun was setting, relieved to be free of my frightful dreams. I swung lightly down from the tree and stepped once more onto a forest path. A gray wolf with pale blue eyes walked across my path, growling in suspicion at me. I shrunk back, but continued on after he had gone. It felt slightly less frightening as I refused to back away from the animal.

         That day, I thought only of Jezzine. I released all the wrongs she had done and all of my anger.

         Every night, I confronted my reasons for running away that were separate from the Angel, and every night, the strange bird returned. It always peered at me, cawed, and left. Lightness entered the woods, which felt friendly and loving after my qualms were gone.  I realized that the eerie feeling of the woods had been a manifestation of my worries. Animals that now seemed sweet followed me for many days.

         I travelled through the woods until it opened to a clearing, within which there was a small town. Swarcon.