Destiny

CHAPTER 11

The map was not what I had expected it to be, it was messy, too descriptive, and disorganized. Without the help of a compass we can never determine our location. Turning towards Will I hand him the map

"Here, take a look."

"I do not recognize anything in here" He utters, dejected.

Looking back at the map I scan the area looking for any familiar point, which I might have encountered during my last visit to the forest. Taking out the flash light I point it towards the map, scanning and studying it in details for anything that might give us some start.

Suddenly my eyes lock towards a highlighted feature in the map, Iridescent Waterfall. The waterfall was situated at the center of the map, which means we were halfway in finding our second clue. I remembered Evan telling me about the other part of the forest beyond the waterfall in the meadow. That must be it. Turning towards Will, I relay him about my recent findings.

"We should make haste. The waterfall is towards our right direction. This place is not safe. After reaching the waterfall we will have to look for a shelter for the rest of the night." I tell him, my voice grave, recollecting my previous experience in the forest.

We have been walking for an hour now, although I could see some familiar surrounding the meadow was nowhere near. I had a feeling it had something to do with this forest being enchanted.

Another hour passes without any evidence of the waterfall, I keep walking forward at a steady pace, not ready to give up yet. The forest was slowly covering in immense darkness, the temperature dropping with my hopes of finding the meadow. We have been walking for hours without food or water, the cold air biting our skin, adding to our mound of problems, exhaustion was starting to seep into my being. The silence was thick and heavy in the atmosphere, no sign of life could be seen or heard, as if the forest was suddenly devoid of living creatures. The only sound that could be heard was crunching of dry leaves beneath our foot. My breathing was ragged a sudden fear was gripping my heart in its ghastly grip. There was no denying the fact that we were now officially lost.

Deciding that continuing further was a waste of energy we opted to make camp for the night. Finding apposite place for the night was yet again a difficult task, but we managed to find a hide-out nearby, a cave, thick vines covering its entrance, making it blend with the rest of the forest.

The cave was dark and gloomy, I stood at its entrance, hesitant about entering, a possible abode of some wild animal.

"We should check whether it's safe or not." Will murmurs, pointing towards the shadowy cave. I nod. Moving around I gather some pebbles which were flanked around the area.

Hurling them towards the cave one at a time, we wait for any sound that could come from the cave, nothing but silence greets us. Waiting for several moments we decide, the cave is safe enough for the night. Releasing a breath, which I hadn't realized I had been holding I move forward towards the cave, my flashlight pointing ahead.

The cave was small, just the size of an average chamber, its roof low, I could touch it by standing on the tips of my feet. Observing Will I find him trying to walk while crouching low enough that his head won't bang on the ceiling. I stifle a laugh at his almost comical position.

If outside was cold then it was nothing compared to how the insides of the cave felt. Arctic! Shivering I sat down on the ground, which had a hint of dampness in its texture.

"Here"

Aiming the flashlight towards Will, I notice him holding out a blanket towards me. Oh thank god. At least I won't die due to cold. Taking the blanket from his hands I give him my most sincere expression, full of gratitude, even if he couldn't see it in the darkness of the cave.