Lights

         Alone, abandoned, and wandering around the forest in the dead of night. The trees swaying like tall grass on a windy day, weak and flimsy. The pathway close to nonexistent in the shallow moonlight and the lightly walked upon dirt. This is were I found myself last night. It had started as a simple stroll to ease my mind of the days burdens and the stress that always happens to fall upon my shoulders. During my timeless walk the wind had started to howl, the leaves that were once still began to swirl around me in such intensity I had thought a storm had managed to creep upon me during my inattentive walk among the trees. Animals had come out of hiding, scattering like sand thrown into the air, and restless as they attempted to find a place to calm their suddenly awoken nerves. At this point I began to fear, knowing it's common wisdom that animals can sense dangers before they appear to the average person. At this very thought I began to run, not caring where or if there was even a proper reason, just running for fear of the unknown.

          After running for some time I came to a peculiar place, the once calming and soothing trees replaced by something more grim and terrifying than anything I've even known. Their branches twisting and bending as if performing a ritual of sorts. Each branch covered in a ivy that slid on the tree like a snake and chips in the bark forming the features of grotesque beings. In this moment the feeling of dread that had been slowly building up inside of me became too much to stand, as if it would burst out and take the form of an indescribable horror. It was in this fear and panic that I caught a glimpse of light through the overbearing trees surrounding me. At first I thought it was just my mind playing tricks on me but it happened again, and again, until all around me I could see small bouts of light, just beyond the trees. For an unknown reason these glimpses of light sparked something inside of me, like a gear clicking perfectly into place. With this sudden burst of motivation I crawled along the ground, as stealthy as I could, past the trees, still preforming their demented ritual. Once through I was again surrounded in darkness, no light in sight. Then in this darkness a single light shone before me. I attempted to reach out and grab it, the thing that very well could've saved my life. It moved away in a blur and again appeared before me, yet several feet away now. I heard a large crack from behind me only to find the trees had pulled themselves out of the ground and we towering above me, looming over my head. I headed towards the light and it began to float away, as if guiding me to safety.

             I took this as an omen and followed the light. The trees were now following me as well, determined to finish what they'd started. The light flew away with increasing speed until I was running at my fastest speed to keep it within sight. With the trees still following in pursuit, I veered away from the light in a attempt to hide in a nearby bush. I waited there in silence in this I felt a eerie and slimy vine warp itself around my ankle and lift me up off the ground. I knew I had made a mistake that would cost me my life. I began to yell, knowing no one was listening, but needing to feel like I was doing something even if it was hopeless.In my distress I didn't notice the hundreds of lights that had wrapped around the vine holding me up in the chilly night air. I saw more and more huddle around and begin to glow brighter and stronger until the vine suddenly broke off, dropping me onto the ground. Without a second thought I ran after the lights, that were no leaving the area, I chased after them for some time before tipping over a stray root in the ground. I braced myself to hit the ground but instead I fell through the earth into darkness. I wasn't falling, or moving. I was just there in complete darkness, complete silence. The lights I had trusted hand tricked me, I was trapped now. Betrayed by false hope.