lost in paradise

Creative Writing-Exam Piece

The world faded back into focus, allowing my eyes to adjust to the bright sun shining through the trees onto my pale skin. I almost looked as if I was glowing, due to the contrast of my legs against the dark brown dirt of the forest floor. I picked myself up, brushing the twigs and leaves off my body before proceeding to examine my surroundings.

The trees we taller than those I knew from my back yard at home; they almost touched the clouds that briefly moved in front of the sun before continuing on their pointless journey. The green of the leaves started mid-way up the tall, slender trunks, covered in peeling bark. I touched my hand gently against the bark, rubbing my fingers over the rough exterior.
I knew where I was; not knowing if that was good or bad. I felt the tree to my left, tracing the initials I had carved years before; before this forest had been cut down. That was the reason I came back today, to stop the forest from getting clear cut. Well, not exactly. I came back to save someone. I retraced the initials. RK. It had been five years since the accident and everything is still not okay.
Five years ago today, I lost my best friend. I was very shy, stayed in my own world, but he brought me out; I was outgoing and spontaneous and courageous, but only with him. Now that he’s gone, I am basically a hermit; I only leave when I have to. I knew it would be hard without him, but I didn’t know it would be impossible.
I traced the initials over and over again until I regained my balance. The time travel caused me to feel slightly dizzy, but the feeling was passing. As soon as it was gone, I ran.
“RK!” Someone yelled. I followed the sound, knowing I would be running into myself soon. “RK!” She called again. I raced through the maze of trees, knowing that soon the screams would turn into tears.
“I’m over here, slow poke!” RK called back. “Come on!” I froze when I heard his voice. It had been a memory, but faded away with the years. Hearing him now, calling me, alive caught me off guard and I lost my footing. I stumbled to the ground, hearing a faint roar of a machine, growing in intensity as it came forward. I picked my self up, sprinting to where his voice echoed through the trees.
“RK!” I called this time, my voice shaking. “RK!” I screamed, running at full tilt. I arrived to where he stood, hiding behind a tree. I lost my breath when I caught him smiling, waiting for me to arrive. “RK!” I cried, startling him. He stood up from his space behind the tree, examining me. He seemed confused at first, since I came from the opposite direction he expected, but soon smiled again and approached me.
“What’s wrong?” He said as he grabbed my waist, holding me close. I got light headed, focusing on the way his hands felt against me. Oh, how I missed his touch. I took a step back, knowing this was business.
“We need to get out of here. There are people here to clear cut the forest. We need to leave,” I panicked, grabbing his hand and pulling him to the direction we came from. “Now.”
He followed obediently, and we successfully made it out and into the open sun. I collapsed on the ground, RK falling beside me. I smiled to myself, knowing I had saved him. I felt giddy again, I have feelings again, for goodness sake I was smiling again. I rolled over, looking at the deep blue of his eyes.
“I love you,” I blurted.
“I love you, too,” he smiled before he kissed me.
~
They found her body a week later, trapped under a tree. They said she died on impact, so at least she never suffered. I kept hearing her call me, but she seemed so far away. I never got to her in time. RK! RK! The memories fade, but I’ve replaced them with good ones. I picture us laying at the edge of the forest, holding hands and relaxing. I remember her giddy, and smiling. She would tell me she loved me, feeling slightly embarrassed, and I would reply, kissing her gently. Five years ago