Loving the Dead

Chapter 14

I walked through the light and opened my eyes to a world beyond imagination.

Grassy hills went in all directions and a light joyful air filled the breeze around me. The sky was s bright blue with only scattered clouds. On my left there was a forest, and on my right is what look a dark mountain that gave me shivers when I looked at it.

Aiden cleared his throat and I snapped out the trance I was in.

"Quiet wonderful right? Annora, welcome to the Spirit World." He said, a gleam in his eye. A bird came and settled on his shoulder, nestling into his neck, and he stroked its small little blue head.

"Let's head to the forest. There are some people I would like you to meet." He said and we started walking to the forest.

We arrived at the entrance and Aiden stopped and turned around. "Please stay by me Annora. If we ever get separated, stop and think and you will find me. We are never far apart." He said and I nodded.

We entered the forest and animals of all sorts walked around. Bears, squirrels, lions, crows, giraffes, and so much more.

A lion walked towards and I backed away but Aiden gave me a look, and I stopped. The lion went down into a bow and said "Welcome Princess Annora. We are all very happy to see you have arrived. You are our ruler." He said in a low gravelly voice that demanded respect. I bowed right back and we both stood up full height.

"Annora this is Alistair. He is in charge of keeping balance of the animal spirits in our world. " Aiden said, gesturing to the great lion.

I gave one last bow to the lion, and we walked further into the forest, taking in the vastness of it. The greens and browns seemed to stretch in all directions. I almost totally forgot about Zahara until she walked beside me.

"How are you feeling Annora?" She asked with a smile.

"It's incredible. I can't believe I'm here." I said.

We walked in a comfortable silence for a moments, and Aiden and Zahara walked hand in hand in front of me. I heard the sounds of the forest fill my soul and I took it all in. The birds chirping, the rustle of the leaves, and the squeaks and growls of all sorts of animals. I also saw occasional human spirits among the animals.

As I was staring at the things around me, I realized I had lost Aiden and Zahara. I scanned about the trees but saw nothing.

"Zahara? Aiden? Are you there? Where did you go?" I called out to the trees. No one answered.

I decided to wait for a few minutes, but when they still hadn't shown up panic set in my heart for a moment. Where could they have gone?

As I was waiting I realized the birds had stopped chirping and I hadn't seen any animals walk by in a few minutes. Silence cut through the air like a knife along my skin.

Terror had struck my heart now, and I started running through the trees looking for any signs. No noise at all. Nothing.

"Aiden! Zahara!" I was screaming now. What was happening? I ran more trying to find a way out but I kept running through more trees. As I was running I noticed the trees were turning black and rotting.

The trees closed up above my head not letting in any light and I couldn't see where I was going. Fear had settled in my hear and I tripped on something running through the woods. I look down and see a vine wrapping itself around my foot. I scrambled trying to kick it away but it was no use.

I tried my powers, but it wasn't working.

I then remembered I always kept a knife in my boot. Hopefully it transfered over when I turned into a spirit.