The night breeze swept across my cool skin, causing goosebumps to rise along my arms and a chill to run through my body. My breath was barely visible against the atmospheric blanket as I exhaled a deep sigh, indicating that I was at ease. But I didn't need a jacket, it was warm enough for me not to care. Knowing my mother, she would've told me to put on some layers and to stay away from the woods. To some people like her, the forest was dangerous and mysterious, enemies and trouble lurking around every corner. To people like me, it was a curious and ever-changing place.
It wasn't uncommon to see me wandering through the forest at night. Some days I even stayed out until the indigos and blackest parts of the night faded into plush colors of pink and orange, the sun rising as quickly as it had fell hours before. It helped me clear my mind when I found it hard to sleep, but I always found myself unable to sleep anyways unless it was here. Some days I'd find myself dozed off on a soft patch of grass where the sunlight seemed to shine through the rugged branches and leaves of the trees above. Sunlight was always my wakeup call. And every morning when the sun hit my face, I knew I'd have to rush home before my mother got out of bed to avoid suspicion. At night however, it was my moment to be slow and to take everything easily.
As I continued on, my feet began to sink deeper into the moss with every wandering stride until it felt as if I was stepping on sponge. The trees began to condense into thick clusters as though it were creating a wall to stop humans from destroying the beautiful landscape that awaited there. Finally, I arrived. I moved aside the undergrowth to reveal a small riverbed that looked soft and homely, where animals such as toads and newts lived humbly undisturbed. Beside it, the river gleamed underneath the million stars above, a shining mirror in perpetual motion. I walked up to the bank of the water, staring into its glassy surface.
Watching the leaves pass by reminded me of myself. A leaf in a stream, no idea where I was going, but slowly getting there one way or another. I sat on the edge of the water, wading my naked feet in the current while small objects ticked my ankles, teasing me to jump in. As much as I'd love to, what would my mother say if I came home sopping wet again? She'd probably yell at me and lock me in my room. But out here, with the smell of musky dirt and moist trees, I felt more alive than I had ever been.
The desolate stream ran over my open toes and I could feel it's gentle leaves brushing my feet as if spreading little kisses along them. I stared into the unending woods ahead of me, spacing off as my body tensed and relaxed whenever a cold current splashed my legs. The voices of the rustling trees whispered in my ear as if telling me lascivious secrets, rumors that would swim around my head for the rest of eternity. At this moment it really didn't matter to me, all that mattered was what was here right now. Making my final decision, I toss off my clothes, making sure they're in a dry enough place, and jump into the glistening stream.
The water hit me, cold as ice, but refreshing at the same time. Autumn seemed to have no effect on the quality of the beautiful river. The waves pittered across my chest, leaving beads of moisture to trickle down my skin. Slowly, I dipped my head in, feeling the water weave its fingers through my blonde hair, like how my mother used to when I was young. She had always loved playing with my hair, making little braids and petting it. Where did she change? It must've been when father died. For a while, I stayed below the surface, dancing delicately under the water as it slowly carried me off, away from the riverbed that I was so familiar with. Emerging from the water, I glanced around at my surroundings which seemed new and peculiar.
Maybe I should head back, I thought to myself. What if I get lost? I pause for a moment, staring at the winding river ahead of me that seemed to go on forever. Mother wouldn't be too happy about me not being home before she awoke. Then again, if she knew I was out here, it would surely be my last. A thought ran through my head that I decided I would let play out. Would getting lost be such a bad thing?
I let the current take me, wading my fingers in the murky surface. Though the water was soothing, splashing playfully over my chest, it felt like I was already lying in a tomb.
