The Magic Inside

Strange Things

Moana led me through the forest, and all the sunlight that was filtering through the canopy gave the forest a golden glow. I took a deep breath of the fresh forest air, cool and crisp. There was no sound except our footsteps, and it scared me for a moment when Moana finally did speak. She had turned to our left, and she spoke through the silence, "Look, Amber."

I went to where she stood and looked where she told me to. My breath was snatched away by the awesome view. The trees cleared, and I saw that the edge of a cliff was about 15 feet away from where we stood. The sun stood high in the sky, but it was just starting to set. The mountain range stretched as far as the eye could see, and it was beautiful. There was a small bench a few feet away, and I sat down, with Moana following.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Moana asked, turning to look at me.

"Absolutely breathtaking," I replied.

"I come here when I need to clear my mind," she smiled, now staring over the mountains, "You'd be surprised how often that is," her gaze turned sad for a second, then she returned to her happy smile. Was she faking that smile? Was she all the time?

"Moana?" I gently put my hand on her shoulder, "Are you okay?"

"Fine," she stood abruptly, a glance towards the ground in the opposite direction of me, "I- I need to go."

"Moana?" But she was already gone, without even a sound. I got up and tried to follow her, but I couldn't find her. I was crashing through the undergrowth, trying to find her, because I didn't know the way back.  Suddenly, I heard a group of footsteps, and a weigh landed on my back, knocking me down. I twisted to where I could see behind me, and I was greeted by Cocoa, Jade, and Scorch.

"Guys?" I pushed Cocoa off of me and stood up, "What are you doing here?"

"When Cocoa said she hadn't seen you, she got worried, and we figured you had tried to get back to the main part of campus on your own and gotten lost, since Scorch and I hadn't seen you on the way here," Jade explained, "So we all came to find you."

"Thanks guys," I said, "Did you guys see Moana anywhere?"

"Who?" Scorch asked.

"Moana?" Cocoa thought for a second, "No, why? Did she bring you out here?"

"Yeah," I replied, "Then she said she had to go, and she disappeared without a trace."

"Whoa," Cocoa said, "That's strange. She usually stays with you the entire time you into the forest when you're new. She does that to everyone, I guess to get to know them better."

"That's strange," I replied.

"It is," she looked around the surrounding forest, as if Moana was just going to pop out from somewhere.

"Well," Scorch sighed, "It'll be time for our next class soon. We should start heading back."

"You're right," I agreed, "Let's go."

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The whole rest of the day, I didn't see Moana. I passed through all my classes, not paying attention much at all, and I was heading back to my dorm when I stopped. I turned, taking in the beautiful mountains and forests that were all around the campus, and I wondered what had made me stop. I saw a flash of gold and silver in the undergrowth. I was being watched by something. Despite my better judgement, I followed the flash of color into the forest.

"Hello?" I called out quietly, "Is anyone there?"

I heard a voice, far off, but definitely there. It was female, and I recognized it a bit, like from a distant memory, "Our plan will be slowly put into action soon. I believe we will have control of the school by the spring."

"Good," another, older voice, said, then suddenly stopped, "Someone is watching. Go now, find them. Then hide. I will find you," and then it disappeared.

I turned and ran, crashing back through the undergrowth. I heard footsteps behind me, fast, and getting even faster. I almost yelled as I was tackled by something, and I turned around. A lean, sleek, slate-gray wolf with golden eyes stared back at me. Somehow, its presence calmed me. I sighed, "Hello. Can you please get off of me?"

It nodded, then jumped off. It turned and walked a few steps, then looked back at me, "Do you want me to follow you?" I asked, and it nodded once more. I allowed it to lead me off through the forest. We moved silently and slowly, the beautiful creature not wanting to lose me. We snaked through the woods, and it led me to a small clearing. I saw a silhouette of a person in front of the moon, and I squinted to see it. I felt like I should recognize it, but the name barely escaped my memory. The figure turned, revealing facial features and details. I gasped, ducking to hide behind a tree, "Moana."

A/N: Sorry this one was so short guys. Sorry I've been busy with school and band and friends. I'll do better next time!!!