( hi this is - obviously - the first chapter, if there are any mistakes I'm sorry. uh, I hope you enjoy! )
'come on Ashley!' a 9 year old Josh calls to his sister, younger than him by only two years. she's panting, and struggling to climb up the steep rock to get to the 'special place'
Josh laughs, 'don't you wanna see the special place?' he asks her. he turns around and smiles down at her, he's missing a few teeth. she grunts and outstretches her arms, asking him to grab hold and help her up. he does so, using a small burst of strength to lift her onto the platform.
Josh swore he could see stars in her eyes when she saw what they were here for. a gorgeous waterfall, falling into a thin, clear blue river, glimmering in the sun, that ran to the left of where the came from. lush, green trees everywhere, abundant with squirrels and cheeping birds. small bushes along the banks of the river, sprouting pink and purple flowers, bees buzzing around them.
Ashley runs down to the river, throwing off her over clothes, leaving her in her bathing suit. Josh had made sure to prepare for everything. he runs down after her, laughing, quickly overtaking her in the short strip of distance between them and the crystalline water. he jumps, landing right in the middle of the river, water flies everywhere, and they both continue to laugh as Ash follows her brother's lead, leaping and landing right next to him.
they muck around in the river for a good half hour, laughing and having fun, as kids would, until the sound of branches cracking and faint footsteps catch Josh's attention and draw him out of the river. 'Josh?' Ashley asks, nerves obvious in her voice.
'it's okay, just stay there for a minute.' he replies as he moves slowly towards the first trees of the surrounding forest. as he gets closer, he sees a dark shadow slightly further into the woods. he steps closer toward it, and the shadow moves like somebody flinching.
'it's okay, I-I'm not gonna hurt you.' Josh calls out quietly. the shadow seems to relax, and starts stepping forward.
Josh starts moving backward to draw the figure out into the sun, revealing a small boy, about Josh's age, with brown hair and mocha eyes. he seems shy, so Josh smiles at him, once again revealing his not-so-toothy grin.
'hi! I'm Josh! and this is Ashley!' he motions to his sister behind him, and beckons her to come forward. as she's climbing out, and holds out his hand to the boy.
the boy reaches out his own hand, and their hands touch, shaking hands. he speaks quietly.
'hi, I'm tyler.'
