Into The Woods

The Feel Of Being Free

"Yes, Mother." the sixteen year old Amelia said to her mother. Amelia's red/orange/brown hair sparkled as she stepped out of her house and into the sun.

   Her hair was naturally wavy and long. She threw a red jacket over her body, as the chilly air was blowing around in the small neighborhood.
  
   Amelia stepped off her porch, and glanced back at her mother, who was still at the door frame.  

   Amelia halted and shifted her body to face her mother, "Mom, I've gone to the town many times. Why is it that /now/ you're worried?"

  Her mother replied, "Amelia, look at the sun," she gestured in the direction, "it's almost night. Usually you're coming back at this time, not just leaving."

    Amelia sighed, "Don't worry about me Mom! I'll be fine."

   Her mother nodded warily, and returned inside.

   Amelia sighed with relief. She just lied to her mother! Ever since Amelia moved into the town, she'd always felt some-sort-of connection to the forest. Her mother hates the forest, and refuses to let Amelia enter it.

   Amelia has been telling her mother that she's going to the town, when in reality she's been going into the woods.

   Amelia darted off into the tree line of the forest. No one enters this forest but her, it's like her own reserve. All other people avoid it, claiming it's eery.

  Amelia sat down on the large rock, that was beside the small creek. She watched small fish swim by.

   She leaned toward it and extended her hand into the cold icy water. She quickly pulled her hand by her side, "Oh!" she exclaimed her hand hit her leg as she pulled it back.

   Now her leg was damp, and her hand was frigid. She tucked her hand into her coat and was just wishing her leg would dry.

   She continued to watch the fish as she snuggled up into her coat. She frowned as all the fish suddenly disappeared.

   She stood up, and ignored the wind, which was now picking up.

   She looked over hesitantly, she felt eyes on her. She began stalking around the trees, "Uh, hello?"

   With no reply, and still the same creepy feeling, she decided it was time to go. The sun was nearly fading, and even though she planned to stay till night, she didn't want to remain here any longer.

   As she turned to leave, she spotted an owl staring directly at her.

   Her eyes lit up with excitement, and she sat down on a nearby tree stump. She mentally laughed at herself for being so worked up over a bird.

  It let out a small screech and flew off. Amelia turned to the sun, which was now hidden from her sight.

An hour later, she dug into her pocket and got out a flashlight.

  She shines her light around. The stars were slowly appearing, and she realized night came quickly. She huffed, and started toward her house.

   ~•~

   Amelia closed the door behind her, and her warm house hit her like a ton of bricks, but in a good way.

    The heat from her house was welcoming to her. Her mother walked over, "Amelia! Young lady you've stayed out quite awhile," she scolded, "now what kept you so long in town?"

    Her father appeared behind her mother. He put his hand on her mother's shoulder, "Calm down, Trudy," he said and looked to Amelia, "she's okay."

   Trudy frowned, "Garth, she stayed out late, we can't just-"

   Garth looked at her and sighed, "Trudy, this is the first time she has even disobeyed anything. Be happy it's nothing serious."

Trudy looked to the basically frozen Amelia and nodded. Trudy walked back toward the living quarters. Garth smiled at Amelia, "Did you go to the woods again?" Amelia nodded, and a faint smile appeared, "Dad that's so amazing! The feel of being free!"