Short Stories: 10-31-18

Amongst the Trees

Amongst the trees,
As I treaded home,
I walked along the path,
The one that I would roam.

I treaded I did,
As far as I could go
To find a way,
Right to my home.

This was so stupid, thought Malena. She wanted the poem to be dark and mysterious, but it sounds childish. She groaned, blowing her bangs out of the way.
She looked at the trees for inspiration. She was mostly surrounded by oak, which in her opinion was considered "boring". She groaned again– she'd never get into college for anything creative, much less literature. Too stressed out, she took out her phone and started texting.

Malena- "Can you all come visit me?"
Vivian- "To the creepiest part of the forest for some weird spell cult writing? No thanks."
Alissa- "She doesn't write spells Vivian. And I can't hun, I'm working a double."
Devon- "Sorry babes, I got to babysit Andy again."
Spencer- "I'd go, buy poison ivy is dangerous."
Malena- "There is no poison ivy, pal."
Ivy- "Speaking of ivy, I can't go either. Sorry! <3"

Malena groaned even louder. None of her friends were ever available. Not like she was always available either, but it was their senior year. That should be all about goofing off.
The Aesthetic Squad started to feel like the Asshole Squad.
Malena looked to the tree next to her. Even her deprecating jokes weren't creative. Stressed, Malena removed her round glasses and put her hands to her face. She felt like crying. Everything lately has been so stressful.
She has college to worry about, jobs are taking over her friends lives, and she can't even have enough creativity for her favorite pastime: writing poetry!
Suddenly, a rustling of the leaves could be heard. Malena didn't bother to lift her head, but she peered from her arms.
It was exceptionally windy on this day.
Malena lifted her head a little, her cheeks flushed.
The breeze blown gently amongst the branches-
Wait
Malena took out her notebook and pencil, and she writes on a blank page.
The breeze had blown gently amongst the sensitive branches.
Malena suddenly heard a high pitched noise, causing her to stand up. She looked around, but there was nothing.
There was a soft but nerve wracking giggle. Malena turned all the way around anxiously.
She thought maybe she was hallucinating due to boredom.
"I should just go," she thought. She got up and started walking before the bushes began to rustle again.
She turned in a panic, and she thought she saw something in the trees.
Faces.
Very small but noticeable faces.
She was about to scream and run before tripping over a large tree root. She tries to crawl away, only to realize that her ankle was in pain, maybe twisted.
She saw something moving towards her. Her breath became shaky, her eyes widening.

It was a woman. A beautiful woman with green tinted skin, covered in moss. She had small brown horns. Her long hair was a beautiful green, tied into a Dutch braid. Her brown eyes shined in the autumn sun. She wore a brilliant light green dress that reached her knees. Flowers surrounded this being, having some in her hair, some in a flower crown. She also wore vines around her, and she was barefoot.
Malena thought she was beautiful. And she has friends who are considered the most beautiful at her school. This creature could win that any day.
Malena blushes, and she tries to stand up. She felt a sudden pain in her ankle, and she falls again. The creature approaches her, slowly. Malena felt nervousness, and she started to shake a little.
The creature knelt to Malena's level. Malena breaths were shaky. The creature looked towards her leg and began to wrap a vine around it. The vine gave off a small glow, causing Malena to stare. What was this witchcraft?
After a few seconds, the glow faded. The creature removed the vine. Malena was able to move her ankle without pain. She stood up, and grabbed her small bag. She looked towards the creature, who was smaller than her. The creature smiled.
"T-thank you so much," Malena mumbled. "I'm really sorry for running off, you were scary-Wait no I meant," Malena tried to find an alternative phrase, but gave up. She heard the creature giggle.
Malena raised an eyebrow. "You think that's funny?" The creature nodded.
Malena shook her head. "You know what, I don't blame you," she replied. The creature smiled again, causing Malena to smile.
A loud alarm noise caused the creature to jump. Malena shushed her. "It's okay," she whispered. She took out her phone. "Just my alarm. I gotta head back for dinner."
The creature stared at the phone in confusion. Malena put it back in her bag and sighed happily.
"Well, it was nice meeting you...um.."
"Sage."
Malena's eyes widened slightly. Now she talked. "Sage," she responded. "Pretty name."
"Thank you."

When Malena returned home that night, she suddenly had the inspiration to write more. But she wanted to do research...
Dryad: similar to a nymph, dryad are mythological creatures who live in trees. They live to protect and guard the trees.