Clouds

Part 2-2 Jason

Chapter 2

            My mind connects with my body.  I don’t stop running, but I glance around for any signs of where I am.  The trees are Briarwood trees: long dark green trunks with sharp plum-colored spiked coming off of them, twisting and turning at odd angles.  I must be in Briarwood.

            But where in Briarwood?  I keep looking around.  There are mushrooms practically everywhere, so I can tell I’m nearing the heart of the village.  This brings a smile to my face, though I have no idea why.  I hate Briarwood.  All of the creepy things and terrible thoughts take refuge there, so hardly anyone lives here, and if they do, they live in Briarheart, where the city is.  This is basically the countryside filled with land that isn’t fit for weeds.

            My daydreaming must have gotten the best of me, and I know it.  This is the worst it’s ever been.  I just have to find the mountains and I can then locate the Hedges from there.  But as I look around, all I can see are trees, trees, and trees.  There is no way I can spot the mountains at this level, so I’ll just have to keep wandering.

            No.  If I’m not careful I may not reach the Hedges by morning, and it’s already a close call.  I have to spot the mountains somehow, or I might as well turn myself in right away.

            And then I spot it.  It stands out perfectly, many feet above the other briarwood trees.  It is the tallest of them all, and it isn’t too far away.

            I run to the tree, careful to be on the lookout for people who may have used the tree as their landmark.  But no one is around; the forest is still dark, cruel, and lonely as ever. 

            As soon as I reach the tree I examine it.  It appears to be just an extra-tall tree, with many thorns poking out of it like all of the rest.  And so, holding on to two of the higher thorns, I place my foot on one of the lower ones and begin to climb.

            Reaching out, one thorn at a time, I slowly ascend the tree.  I’ll be able to find the mountains at this height, and I may even be able to see the Hedges and any guard posts.  Just thinking about the Hedges fills me with pride.  It was Awesome that discovered how to reach them, and it all started with her trekking through the mountains.

            After climbing a few more feet I look down, nearly tripping and falling from the view.  I am very high up, higher than I usually go.  But the trees are still in the way, and I can’t see the mountains yet, so I’ll have to climb higher.

            I finally reach the height of the other trees, and I don’t dare look down.  If I did, I would lose my balance and fall for sure.  But the mountains are still no where to be found, so I keep climbing.

            The wind gradually picks up and I have to close my eyes and take a deep breath.  I have to do this, no matter what.  And finally, at last, I reach the top.

            There they are, the glorious mountains, shining as they reflect the moon’s light.  I gasp at the sight of them, struck with the awe of their beauty.  Shades of deep green to earthy brown stare at me, beckoning me to follow them all the way to the top.  I smile, now comfortable enough to grip the tree tightly and lean over.  The mountains are not that far, and I should be able to make it there by morning now that I have a good sense of direction.  They are to the west of me,only a few miles away.

            I was stupid to climb this high.  Of course, as the tree gets taller the branches thin out.  But I don’t realize this until I feel the branch snap, and my feet are soon suspended in the air.  I don’t dare look down; that would be the end of me.