Unfinished Stories and Ideas

Star Trails P2

So this chapter is shorter than usual, namely because the episode it's based on was also very short, more of a filler. Anywho, from here on out they get longer.

I woke up the next morning feeling fully rested. That was the best sleep I had had in ages. After a moment I got up and looked outside. The sun was up but I wasn't sure what time it was. I went outside and saw a small covered wagon nearby that wasn't there yesterday. I think it was a traveling merchant. I walked down the road, passing a man at a small farm. Kai and Caleb's house was closer, so I went there first and knocked on the door.

Nothing. I called to them, but still no answer.

I decided to go to Mack and Max's house next. I knocked on their door, but didn't get an answer. I peered in through the window but I didn't see anyone. A figure appeared then quickly disappeared around a corner, but wasn't them. I even checked the farms they were at yesterday.

I decided to go see the traveling merchant. There was a young woman at the cart with two men around her.

"What would you like to buy sir?" she asked one of the men, seemingly exasperated.

"I want some fish," he answered.

"That is five coins," she said, handing him fish.

He handed her some coins and went on his way. I decided to see what all she had. When I got closer, I noticed she was mostly selling food and books.

"Have you seen four boys lately? There's a young one, a shy one, a mean one, and the other one," I asked her.

"No, sorry," she said, then turned to the other guy standing beside her cart.

I searched all over town. I checked with the blacksmith, a farmer, and even a guard at a village outpost over the hill. I checked everywhere, but no one knew where they were. It was getting dark and I was starting to get tired from walking around all over the place. As I approached the house I had stayed at, I noticed several men gathered around a large campfire, so I decided to ask them.

I walked up to the nearest one and asked, "Have you seen four boys around here? I can't find them."

"No, I have not," he said.

"Hmm, I think I'll look some more in the morning," I commented, half to myself.

"Well whatever you do, do not go into that forest over there," he said, pointing to a forest on the other side of town, by the river. "That is the Dark Forest, notorious for evil occurrences," he added.

A lady sitting near him watched me the whole time the guy was speaking. I probably looked funny to them, with more modern clothes, so it didn't phase me.

"Okay, I won't," I assured, and headed back to the place I was staying at.

They wouldn't mind me staying one more night, would they? After getting inside, I got curious. I hadn't really had a good look around the inside. I opened the stove and looked inside, but there wasn't anything but coal. The little stands next to the bed had drawers, and I went to look inside when I saw a piece of paper sitting on top.

That hadn't been there yesterday.

I picked it up and it read:

"Dear Skylar, we are not supposed to have left you this note, but we could not just leave without saying anything. When we said this village has many ups and downs, it was mostly downs. There are many freedoms we are not allowed to have, so we... left. Tell no one of this note. If you wish to come with us, meet us in the forest east of the village at midnight. Come alone."

I was shocked. I grabbed my bag, blew out the light, and left quietly. I cast a glance back at the campfire, but nobody saw me. The lady was gone though. I trekked silently through the town and to the eastern forest. I sloshed through the river and into the trees, past a sign that read:

"The Dark Forest: Do Not Enter"

"Are you sure she is going to come?" Caleb asked.

"Yes, she will be here," I assured.

"Well she sure is taking her time," he whined.

I heard a twig snapping and looked up to see Skylar come around from behind a tree. For a moment, I thought I saw something move behind her, but I double-checked and there was nothing.

"Follow us," I said, and we headed off.