Forest of Lost Souls

Chapter One: Prepare for takeoff

Chapter one: Prepare for Takeoff

"Another case of a strange disappearance in the Merlin Forest was reported today. Three children went camping and their mother filed a missing person's report the day after" We were watching the news like we did every evening.

"Some kids just never learn, huh?" Mom was serving dinner.

"Sure, mom. Hey, Stacey and Nick were wondering if I could spend a few nights with them. They want to go on a hiking trip up on the Trail." I blatantly lied, but she is so oblivious that she probably didn't notice.

"I have no problem as long as you don't end up on the news." She teased.

On tuesday, I packed my bag.Only necessities though. We can't afford much extra weight. A few pairs of clothes, water bottles, loads of jerky, and a few flashlights. Nick is bringing sleeping bags and a tent, while Stacey brought real food, fire tools, and her own clothes. We planned on going into the forest to record what happens.

The rumor is that the woman that lived in the cabin at the lake died in the forest, and her soul took over a tree. Now when ever people go into the forest, the trees come alive and engulf the people into the wood. Instead of the rings on these trees showing how old it is, it shows how many souls were in it. If a tree gets chopped, the souls find people to possess. I think its a joke. People go missing all the time, right? Anyways, we were going to find out.

"Alright, sweetie. Have fun. And don't give his parents a reason to call me." My mom was leaning her head through the window of the drivers side of her Chevrolet 2003 Silverado.

" I'll be fine." my voice was deeper than usual. Maybe I was scared, or brave.

17 Year old guys have typically deep voices, but I didn't. My voice was one octave lower than the average 13 year old girl. Still pretty high. Maybe i'm just now hitting the final stage of puberty. Maybe I'm crazy and shouldn't be doing this. I still walk up to the door.

ding dong

Nick's mom answered the door. "Hey, Casserole, right?. How are you?"She looked really uncomfortable at my name. "

"My mom was an alcoholic until recently, and decided it would be funny to name me Casserole." I now have to explain my nickname, Cas, and its purpose.
"Oh, alright, sweetie. Well Nick's been waiting. Stacey's here too. Come on in!"

Nick's room was a mess. He was trying to find something, I bet. His room is usually the cleanest one in the house. It's usually quite empty. His loft bed in the corner. A singular bean bag chair underneath it next to the shelf, which was loaded with books. I couldn't tell if he's read the books a lot, or just bought really "ancient" books. They all looked as if they had been caught in a storm, but none of the pages fell out. On the other side of his room sits a desk. The only thing ever on it is one sheet of paper with writing on it. Probably his textbooks too during school.

Right now, His dresser was out of place. It's usually next to the door. Right now, it's in front of his desk. The drawers are open, and clothes are hanging out. The secret compartment on his floor is open and he's in it. It's more of a basement, because it's huge.

"Hey there Cas," Nick poked his head out of the floor. " I lost it. My pendant and switchblade are missing." Nick has a stone pendant for good luck and a switchblade for emergencies. He loses them both frequently.

"You left it at my house, remember? And I bought you a new switchblade." I held them out to him. His face went from worried to amazed.

"Oh.. my.. THANK YOU SO MUCH!" He snatched the items from my hands. " I could have sworn I had lost them for good. Also, we should get going before it gets too dark." Nick hopped out of the compartment and shut the door to it. "Help me put the drawer back, would you?" I walk over to the dresser where he is now standing.

We start to put the clothes back into the drawers. "Hey, where's Stacey?"

"Probably still admiring the new bathroom design." They had changed the theme of their restrooms again. This time, it's beach themed.

"Well, tell her to get a move on. We got the dresser back, we need to leave now!"

"Calm your casserole!" Nick began laughing at the pun directed towards me.

I glowered at him. "How original of you," I stated, sarcasm evident in my voice. "Stacey! We have to go!" I start walking up to the bathroom.

I knock on the bathroom door. "Stacey?" I begin to worry when no one responds. "Stacey! This isn't funny." I open the door and walk in. She's not there. I walk around, looking behind the door, under the sink, and in the towel closet. "Stacey! Come on, man!" I heard a slight tink from the tub. I opened the shower curtain, and as I suspected, she was sitting, hugging her knees to her chest with one arm, swinging her lucky pocket watch with her open hand.

"Stacey. It's time to go."

"I can't do it, man."

"Seriously? Don't be a chicken."

"That forest took my cousin. I'm not dying in there." She looked up at me. "Help me up, please."

I took her hand and pulled her up. "We already had everything planned out though, you can't just quit now! Anyway, wouldn't you like to see the pretty flowers in the forest? You love taking pictures. If you live, you can send them to National Geographic and get your pictures featured! I even got you something," I pulled a brand new Casio camera out of my bag and handed it to her.

"I can't accept this. It looks expensive," she tried to hand it back, but I wouldn't let her.

"If you really don't want the camera, I will take it. But only if you think before you agree to things. You have to come with us now." I said.

"Wait, so you won't take this camera back until after the trip? I mean, if there is an 'after'?"

"Exactly."

"And if I don't go, you still take the camera?"

"No. You are left with the burden of being given a 300 dollar camera and not deserve it because you chickened out of a little camping trip."

"But this isn't even camping! This is you and Nick writing out your death wishes. I hope you wrote your eulogies, too. I'm sure your parents would plan a most wonderful funeral service. I know I'm not going to it," Her face was a pink pigment from the frustration.

"Technically, you're writing a death wish too. You did promise to come with us," I corrected her.

"Oh, shut it. Fine, I will go. But tell me what we're doing before I agree to it next time," we walk out of the bathroom into Nick's bedroom.

"You ready Nick? I ask, slinging my bag back over my shoulder.

"Let's do this thing!" He pumps his fist in the air and guides us out.

********

After the six minute walk to the forest at the end of the block, we stopped and stared at each other. Nick turned and pulled a wooden sign out of his bag. He then proceeded to force the sign into the dirt in front of the first tree.

It read, "Merlin Forest. Occupants: 3. Updated 27 JUNE 2013" That was today's date.

We still stand staring in front of the forest. We were silent until I heard a shuffling noise. I slowly turn to see Nick pulling an axe out of the suitcase he brought. I remember what he said we had to do, which terrified Stacy all the more.

"Tell me when." He raises the axe.

"Okay," I watch him as he prepares to chop down one of the trees, "On three, one... two...-

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