WHITE OAK

Chapter 15

Carter:

I felt like running today. I haven't ran since the whole incident where I turned into a tree so I don't really have my running shoes anymore because I lost them somewhere in the woods last time. When I went into my closet to go look for the closest thing I noticed a big box with a red bow on it. I opened it sceptically and inside was a brand new pair of Nike running shoes. My mom left a card on the inside saying that if they had told me sooner I probably wouldn't have changed that day and wouldn't have lost my shoes. So I got new shoes, cool.

I slipped the on and they fit like a glove. I put on a clean T-shirt and grabbed my IPod. Shoving it into my pocket and turning it to shuffle. The only music I had on it was my running music as I usually just listened to music on my phone. The second my feet hit the gravel next to the forest I knew I was ready to go again. My breathing slowed and I could hear my heartbeat over the pumping music. My I ran like I haven't ran in forever. My legs just wouldn't tire. My whole body worked together for one single purpose, to keep me moving forward. The cold morning air stung all the way down to the bottom of my lungs. I was in sweet agony. That is when I saw something strange. Usually when I go out for a run there is only me and the trees. This time I saw a crazy old guy (okay not that old, about the same age as my dad) poking around with this strange metal stick thing. It looked very old but very well looked after like a relic of some sort. He kept yelling something in Latin ( I think it was Latin) and slamming the steel into the flesh of a tree. He slammed it against a few rocks too but he looked disappointed every time and kept repeating the whole rhyme over and over again.

I decided to keep my distance and quietly moved passed without him noticing me. I ran for about another hour and went home to go shower and get ready for school. When I got home my parents were home surprisingly and my mom was cooking breakfast. I told her about the crazy guy in the forest and she got this worried look on her face for a split second and then her face glazed over. No emotion what so ever. She told me it must have been some crazy old hobo that got lost on his way to Narnia. I tried to laugh but seeing the worried expression on her face I knew there was something very wrong.

Mia:

"Mia get your lazy butt down here and help me with the house" my mom yelled from downstairs.

Today was Saturday which means house cleaning day. I woke up at about seven but I couldn't find the motivation to get out of bed. I have a great life and all but damn senior year is so much work and I am exhausted. I crawled out of bed and put on some sweatpants and a tight tank top. I couldn't be bothered by my hair and I didn't even comb it. I pulled it up into a messy ponytail and put on my Uggs (strictly for in the house)

As I stomped downstairs I could smell cleaning liquid and wet floor. Before I could put those two together I slipped on a wet tile and fell flat on my bum. I think I might have twisted my ankle and I limp my way to the kitchen. This day could not get any worse. As I walk into the kitchen I see my mom take the last sip of orange juice out of the carton (I stand corrected)

My mom only laughs at my sorry state and says that if I want juice I can grab some money from her purse and go buy some at the closest grocery store. I decided to brake my no Uggs in public rule and grabbed the keys from the table and drove to Ricks for a nice strong cup of coffee. My shift only starts at five so I've got more than enough time to be lazy and grouchy for now.

Afterwards I stop at the grocery store for some juice. As I walk into the store I can see this strange man looking at me with some sort of walking stick in his hand. It was a very beautiful stick with stunning carvings on it. I turned around and didn't think anything of it. I mean look at the way I'm dressed I would have stared too. Buy the juice and walk to mom's car. On my way back I see the man again and I smile at him. He looks a little young to be walking with a stick only about fifty years old.

On my way home I decide to take the pretty way to cheer me up. I pass woods left and right it was very beautiful and I felt calm driving when suddenly my car drove slower and slower. My petrol tank was full and no warning lights were on. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with the car? That is when I looked back and saw the same man standing right behind my car with his stick held high chanting something I couldn't make out...