The forest was difficult to enter. It involved a lot of mud, slipping, and thorns. The trees had new buds on them, but they still held a certain empty quality that they hadn't shaken from the winter season.
Once he was in the forest, the glory of the world at night astounded him. The smell of evergreen was fresh and thick in the air. He noticed pathways through the ferns and branches, ones that had scarcely been travelled. It made him feel like a fool, what was he doing out here? He had already started his journey, might as well finish it. Picking the trail that looked the safest, he made his way through the dense woods. The moist dirt was soft on his feet. Stars twinkled above through the dead branches. He sighed in the cold air and observed his surroundings. At the horizon, he could see the sun beginning to rise. Suddenly, without warning, the ground dropped dramatically. He began tumbling down the hill, but grasped a branch about halfway down. His hands were stinging badly now. Steadying himself at the base of the tree, he wiped the blood off on his shirt. Just a couple scrapes, a lot of blood. Once injuries had been tended to, he looked for a safe way to continue. That's when he noticed what was at the bottom of the valley.
Footsteps. There were footsteps coming towards her. Someone was calling her name. She began to come back into consciousness. It was him. God, how did he find her? He was by her side now. Ryn tried to push him away, but nothing was moving.
"We've gotta get you out of here" she heard him say.
"Up.. Up there..." She whispered, pointing to the other side of the valley. He looked up, confused.
"Trust me..." She murmured. He lifted her up (why was she so light?) and half-ran half-fell up the hill. Suddenly it came into sight.
Twigs and branches formed walls, leaves and mud building a fortress. It spanned from tree to tree, using them as support. Small windows let light flood in. Water bottles and canteens were scattered across the sight. There was a small fire pit built, and clothes hanging across a string tied between two trees.
Once he reached a flat ground, he collapsed to catch his breath. She made movement to get up, but the minute her left foot touched the earth she fell back to the ground.
Her eyes were wild with a mix of fear and sadness, her hair a mess. Mud stained her skin and blood dripped down her leg.
He helped Ryn to her feet and together they made their way to her bed of grass.
"Let's see that leg. I know how to wrap it from when I was a Scout," he told her.
"I'm fine, really," she objected, laying against the soft grass.
He laughed, she did not.
Who did he think he was? He didn't know what she felt. He should mind his own business. Her leg just needed some rest. Rest.. It sounded so nice right now. The grass felt so soft, so comforting. She was falling, deeper and deeper, but she wasn't afraid anymore. Reality slipped away from her, numbing the pain. Finally she gave into sleep and the world faded into darkness.
