Short Stories

The Forest

     She ran as fast as her little legs could carry her. I could hear her heavy pants as she took each breath. Her feet pounded on the forest floor, crushing leaves and snapping twigs with every step. Her please of help couldn't be heard this far out. No one could save her. No one would be able to reach her in time.

     Sage Lilly-white was an average 10 year old. She grew up with loving parents, who taught her everything she'd need to know in life; hunting, fishing, cooking, cleaning, any and everything. They never expected she would ask one evening to go out hunting alone, but here she was. She gathered her supplies and set out mid-morning, with the promise of being home by dinner.

     Stepping into the edge of the forest, she took a deep breath, enjoying the smell of moss and fresh air. The leaves crunched under her every step, as the sun shown down on her. Wisps of hair blew into her face, causing her to pull her long, blonde waves, into a pony tail atop her head. Her hair swayed back and forth, with each step she took. She walked past me, never even glancing in my direction.

     Behind her, was a man. Not to close to her that she would notice, but not far enough away to lose her either. She never seemed to notice him, but I did. I noticed the way he looked at her; as if she were a piece of meat. I noticed the way he'd hide when she turned his way. I noticed the way he pulled a knife from his pocket, and moved in closer to her. I chirped to warn her, but she didn't understand.

     He grabbed her small frame and held a knife to her throat. Sweat glistened on her forehead as her eyes filled with fear. He whispered something in her ear, that made her turn as white as a ghost. She went to scream, but he covered her mouth. She bit his hand, causing his grip to loosen and her to slip away. I chirped a "RUN!" but she didn't understand me.

     She ran as fast as her little legs could carry her. I could hear her heavy pants as she took each breath. Her feet pounded on the forest floor, crushing leaves and snapping twigs with every step. Her please of help couldn't be heard this far out. No one could save her. No one would be able to reach her in time. He caught up, wrapping one arm around her waist and the other, placing a hand over her mouth, while he carried her back, deeper into the forest.