The Ashen Forest

curious Diana goes to investigate the wall

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I sat up in my bed and watched the sunset from my brick lined window.  At night the sky would clear up, which was strange.  I figured it was because that was when they closed the one factory and it would give the sky chance to clear up, but I really didn't know. I waited till my brother fell asleep, which was easy since he went out like a light, and I creep out my window and scaled it down the house.  It was pretty dark out and my mom did not care to check on my fake body lump that was my pillow, never the less I was terrified.  I felt the rush of sneaking out excite my heart since I was hardly allowed to do anything, I felt so controlled.  I had to be extra sneaky to make sure that Val did not spot me since sometimes he would patrol, in fact I would be terrified if he were to catch me.  He would be surprised and disappointed, I trembled at the possibility. 

I crept wearing mostly black and barefoot and I found that I was pretty good at staying hidden.  My curiosity had gotten the best of me and I hiked up the mountain (with a few carrots hidden in my satchel) Most nights I could not get very far, I would freak out as I got near the wall and feel my heart rush frantically until I lay safe in my bed.  I had my little knife just in case and I was pretty light and fast on my feet.  Like a spy I thought, I felt a little wave of self approval at comparing my self to something cool.  Every now and then I would sneak behind a bush or tree and hide just in case I saw Val patrolling to keep curious trouble makers like me away from the wall.  

Today (still night)I was ready, I felt adrenaline crawl down my throat and fill my chest as I touched the cold wall.  I thought I saw something by the top of the wall so I had to be extra careful to make sure it was not some wild animal, or worse... Val.  I climbed silently up the mountain, my hands sweaty, and beads of sweat crawled down my face and neck.  I was near the top, and I dared not to look down since I was never this high. 

Once at the top of the wall I felt at peace as I saw the huge purple sky and pinpricks of light.  Way off was the small tent where Val was sleeping.  It felt like I was near a lions den which distracted me from my fear of heights. 

 "Wow," I breathed, at the top I looked at the huge valley of green, the indescribable beauty.

I then realized I heard beautiful sounds of birds, not at all like the drab chirps back at home, but beautifully wild singing, with depth and meaning.  It was huge, this valley, surrounded by mountains that trailed off as far as I could see all topped of with the most magnificent sky.

My heart dropped when I heard a frantic rustle from the tent, "had he heard my small gasp?"I thought.

I quickly ran to the nearest tree and hid near it and I crouched low behind a bush.  Hopefully he would not see me and I would blend in with my black clothes.  

"Who goes there?" He said.  He took out his bow and arrow. "some animal" he muttered.

"A frecking bow. and. arrow." I thought, "Of all things"

I could feel my heart trying to leave my chest and I wondered if his sensitive hearing heard it too.  I quickly skipped still crouched down the mountain, hopefully he wouldn't fire or chase after me.

sling! An arrow went past my ear. I heard him running after me.

 "Of course you fool!," I thought to myself, "If he thinks you're an animal he would not in a million years want you to live if your heading to the village!"

I jumped in a narrow crevasse and hid as I heard him run over me and stop.

I felt tears run down my face, I really did not wish to be found, especially not by Val.  What will he think of me? He hates trouble makers who risk their lives by investigating the wall, I could imagine him hating me and it was not pleasant.  

I laid still in the small gap just enough for my body, shallowing my breathing as much as possible.

His steps got nearer to me and then more distant as he circled the area listening closely.  He was angry, I could tell because he would stomp every now and then.  I felt a spider crawl on my face, and that really did it for me, I was already terrified.  I heard Val after a good couple hours slink away angrily  back to his tent and once I was sure he was gone I brushed off the spider that had chilled on my face. I could still feel it on my face.  I quickly ran down as fast as I could to get back home, which was my mistake.  I realized it was a mistake when my foot slipped on a round rock and I slid down the mountain, I shielded my face with my forearms as I was scratched by those stupid branches.  

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