colours of viridian | BOOK ONE | J a d e d ✔️

H a u n t e d

S o n g : C r y s t a l i s e d - T h e  x x

C h a p t e r IV
M a k e n n a

"Hey, Kenna, wait up!" Bastian called as he saw me skipping towards town.

I know I said I hated everything about this town, but I actually really enjoyed how close everything was and how beautiful the walks were. Forestry practically invaded the entire town, swallowing the university up in the most fascinating ways ever as the vines spread like wildfire on the stone buildings. The one long road between downtown and the university was one of the most exciting things. I loved walking down the hill with nothing but trees on either side of me...I just felt free, and it was fun.

At least, I thought it was.

"Hey, Bass." I smiled at the white haired boy -his hair was so bleached by the sun you could barely notice the blonde anymore.

He shook his head, letting his messy hair fall into his pale blue eyes, "You must hate campus grounds, huh?" His guarded eyes took the scenery in, "You're one of the only girls who will actually walk into this willingly."

Yeah. Like I said: I thought the walk was fun. Everyone else swore the forest held creatures of the night in it or were haunted...or something. When we were all young kids, a lot of stuff happened in those woods. Female college students would walk to or from town and just disappear in the middle of the road without a trace. Sometimes the bodies would show up after a few months, drained of blood and turned completely inside out. Mostly though, no one was ever found. There weren't even any evidence left behind.

It was a good campfire story, but it was more than a decade ago. Whatever sicko was doing those things, clearly croaked or found some other place to hunt unsuspecting victims. I wasn't going to let a scary story keep me from finding the beautiful wonder in the green forest.

"I just love being out here," I shrugged honestly, "the way the different types of leaves rustle in the wind together and how all the tree branches intertwine like they couldn't bare to be parted..." I sighed, "It's like natures way of showing us we're all together no matter our differences. I think it's beautiful and just peaceful."

Bastian frowned, the inside of his bottom lip between his teeth as he gnawed at it anxiously, "I guess I can see you're point. But I mean...all of those missing bodies are probably all rotting somewhere in there." His nose curled up in disgust, "It just ruins the magic for most people."

Chuckling with a head shake, I closed my eyes and breathed in the fresh air, "Then it's their loss. It's not the forests fault that people are evil."

The air filled me up with courage and strength as I inhaled deeply. I was sure even if someone tried to hurt me, I would kick their butt. Even if it was a slight false sense of security, I still felt safe in the arms of the forest, like it would protect me.

"So...you really aren't creeped out? You think whatever did that stuff is gone for good?" His nervous voice brought me back from my peaceful trance.

"I've been taking this road for a year now. Unless I'm just not their type, I think it's safe for me to say the monsters are all gone." I teased, trying to get him to lighten up as I poked his side. "Don't worry, Bass, you can go back to campus. I'll be fine."

His eyebrows furrowed unsurely; clearly wanting to go back into the safety of our school gates. "If you die out here I will never forgive myself for leaving you."

With an eye-roll I grinned amusedly at the pale boy, "If I die out here, all blame will be mine and you will know I died not blaming you. Okay? Now go. You're ruining my walk. Besides you burn like a red-head, so get into the proper shade before you catch fire."

With that, I left the boy and once again began my walk towards the tiny town ahead of me.

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Picture of Bastian (it's like Sebastian without the Se) above!
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