Don't Go Into The Woods

Chapter 16

Upon arriving back at the school, I headed upstairs to my room where I spent most of my afternoon in before grabbing my school things and making my way to the library to complete my homework that was given Friday for Monday. I had not seen Carmen once since I had returned. She was probably having supper as I sat in the library doing my work. I did not mind not seeing her. In fact. If I had to be entirely honest, I did not want to see her now as I knew she would just go crazy and annoy me with all of the questions about how today went. I surely did not want to speak about today. I wanted to forget all about it. I even dove myself into school work just to forget. I got so carried away with my school work that I was doing work that I had not even been instructed to do so yet. It helped take my mind off of all this bad luck I have. It was only after noticing that I was just about the only student left in the library that I checked the time on my wrist watch and saw that it was already after 10pm. It was time for me to pack up. My books in my bag and my bag over my shoulder, I headed out of the library. The passages were rather dark and pretty quiet and empty. I guessed that most students were up in their rooms already. Although the hair on the back of my neck rose as I walked through these dark passages, i tried not go be afraid or be randomly spooked easily neither. I turned a corner and found myself covered in bright yellow moonlight. This passage had one section of the wall made of glass from head to toe with windows at the top and framework running all around. I glanced outside and caught a glimpse of the moon. It was a full moon tonight. For some reason this full moon just looked larger than usual. I stopped and found myself staring up at the moon. I am not sure why, but I could not pull away from it as easily as what I would have liked to. It was like I was drawn to it. Even the moonlight felt refreshing and soothing over my skin. I stood there for what felt like for ever till I was suddenly interrupted by the sound of someone’s voice along with soft footsteps which stopped in the passage.

“Beautiful isn’t it.” Ms. Jennings said.

When I saw it was only her I was relieved as I really did not want to be caught gazing up at the moon the way I was by anyone else who would most likely not understand why I was doing so. I also did not want to be caught by another teacher who would very easily make sure I am punished for wondering around the school after curfew. Even on weekends we had to be in our rooms by 10pm.

Ms. Jennings stopped beside me and gave me a brief smile before she gazed up at the full moon. She seemed to enjoy this sight just as much as me.

“Fan of a full moon Ms. Jennings?” I asked.

“Most definitely. A full moon is a great source of inspiration for some of the most beautiful sketches.” Ms. Jennings said. “Think we should talk about this in class on Monday.”

“Talk about full moons in class on Monday?”

“Talk about nature’s beauty.”

“Oh.”

“There is always so much beauty one can find in the world. We just need to look harder for it.”

“Does that include the woods that everyone refuses to talk about and has forbidden anyone from entering?” I asked. My words seemed to make Ms. Jennings somewhat uncomfortable. She straightened herself up and cleared her throat before speaking. Almost as if a lump had suddenly formed in her throat after hearing what I had to say.

“You should know by now that some things are just better left alone and not to be spoken about.” Ms. Jennings said. “Especially in a small town like this.”

“Why is that? What is this big secret that everyone in this town is so damn persistent to keep?” I asked. Ms. Jennings tried her best to hide how stressed she suddenly had become, but in this bright moonlight, I could see a crease form between her eyebrows. She was about to crack. I just needed to push her a little more. I was positive that she would tell me everything which I needed to know. “Ms. Jennings -”