Run Girl, Run

All Zari could see was green. Different shades of emerald, forest, and even mint rushed past her - or rather she rushed past them. Twigs snapped and leaves crunched beneath her feet. She didn't even have time to wince when she felt something slice into her bare foot. She just kept running. She didn't dare look behind her – just forwards. She wasn't sure herself if this was because she was scared at what she'd see or if she was just worried she might run into a tree or trip over a rock. She didn't know the cliché, but her heart was beating like a drum in her chest. She imagined music playing in time to her footfalls, something tribal, perhaps: like she'd heard in some movie a while ago. Birds were singing in the trees, cooing and cawing and completely oblivious to the girl below them running faster than she had ever run before. She thought she had been paying good attention to where she was going but Zari failed to notice the vines dangling from some of the trees and ran into them, entangling her and causing her to twist and turn in desperation to escape. She flailed her arms, trying to uncoil herself from the greenery. She got loose and continued running, paying more attention to the trees and bushes around her this time. Her heart was beating faster now after the panic from almost getting caught. "ZARI!" someone called from the distance. She couldn't tell which direction it came from, forcing Zari to stop running. She took time to catch her breath before looking up in the direction of the voice; "Zari!" it came again, taunting her. The trees started to disperse a few feet ahead of her. Encouraged by the sound of running footsteps behind her she made her way to the clearing. The leaf and twig covered dirt on the ground grew into grass and in front of Zari stood a house. She smiled; glad to be back into civilization and out of the forest. "Zari?" the voice was closer now - and different. "What were you doing in the trees? I thought you hated the little woods we have back there?" a woman came out of the back door to the house with striking similarities to Zari – the same sleek black hair, ebony skin and piercing golden honey-like eyes. "Mama!" Zari called out, running to her mother with her arms outstretched looking for a comforting hug. "Mama, I didn't want to go in! But – but!" she couldn't finish her sentence but pointed in the direction of the trees. By this point the little girl started crying. She was exhausted, her feet hurt and she was upset. Her mother looked over at the small collection of trees in her back garden to see her son, Faraji, emerging, also out of breath and giggling away to himself. Zari's mother sighed and picked up her five-year-old daughter, "come on, let's get you cleaned up." She was just heading inside when she turned to her son, "Next time you think it's a good idea to terrify your little sister..." she contemplated telling him how much trouble he'd be in, but she knew he wouldn't listen. "Just make sure she has her shoes on next time, alright?"

//

Found some old short stories when going through my mac and thought I'd share. Please be sure to vote if you enjoyed and thank you to everyone for reading :)