Storm (G/T)

Holding Ground

Being trapped in a house fit for someone a hundred times your size did a fantastic job at making me feel insignificantly small, but it doesn't even compare to the aftermath. Alone at the edge of a giant's forest, with its overwhelming trees and overpowering sounds, with no one there to protect you or make you feel at home makes for an unnerving experience. I've never felt so small in my life. I just want Austin back here.

God knows how far away he is. I want to do what all dramatic movies do and run back toward him and throw myself into a hug with him, but he could already be a half mile away. And a hug could lead to my untimely demise if he doesn't look down.

A deep sigh escapes my stomach. Well, guess this is it now. Back to normal. My adventure is over. I shove the clothes into my bag tiredly, suddenly out of energy. They all fit, barely. The zipper sticks here and there, but finally heaves to the end. It's lifted onto my shoulders, and with a sigh, I begin my trek back.

Without context of my journey, this walk is much more enjoyable than the way here. I'm no longer pummeled by snow or turning blue from frost. The sunshine glows softly against my skin and gives me energy to continue on, rather than drain it away.

I'm overfamiliar with this. I don't like it. I want to go back into the woods, just one last time. Not just for Austin, but for my own good too. Turning back, I trek through for a while. The trees are still indescribably tall. They're skyscrapers stacked on skyscrapers, reaching to the clouds nearly. After some half hour of walking, something rams into me directly. The object that made me fall on my ass falls on top of me too. Pushing it up, I see what it is. A large piece of bark, torn from the tree. There's writing on it, in white. "Keep going straight until you reach a small stone. You'll know which one."

Austin wrote this.

So, I listen. Furthermore I walk, until I reach a pile of multiple immense rocks, varying in different shades of gray and brown. One of the massive rocks sticks out amongst the rest. It's black with a dark blue shine to it. It definitely stands out, but it's not a small stone at all... quite the boulder really... wait, right. Small.

I spend a decent amount of time trying to overturn the rock without hurting myself, until it finally gives way. Underneath is another piece of wood, with a white arrow pointing straight again. I see how it is.

Down the path I go. It's like a mind game, maybe it'll lead to something at the end. More and more walking, but I stop when I feel a shuffle. Someone's here. What if it's Austin? Or worse, what if it's not?

I can't let another giant see me. I duck left, running through the twigs (more like logs) and tripping over everything. The path is out of my mind, until I trip over a root sticking out of the ground, cracking my arm against another large rock. Next to it, I see another piece of wood. "After 15 steps, you finally  found it!" the note says. I skipped so many steps. "Just look under the rock."

I spend more time trying to lift up this rock, finally overturning it. A large piece of paper lies underneath. Pulling it out and unfolding it, it reveals to be about the size of a large whiteboard. That's very big to me, but less than the size of a half piece of paper to Austin. It says on top,

("Austin's" is crossed out) Robyn's Map to the Forest

It shows a spider of winding paths, all color coded. There are two stars. One is where I currently am, and one is his house. I'm not even that far away. He must've taken the longest way out possible. He wanted to spend more time with me.

I fold up the map, and hold the bundle of paper in my arms. It's good to have this guide, I'll be sure to use it for the next time I visit. Back out of the forest I go. More sunshine peeking through the treetops. More loud bird chirping. More rustling sounds, as if a giant is here with me. They no longer bother me.

Once I jump through the tunnel, I begin back down the line I took to come here, appreciating the gift Austin gave me. I hope he can navigate the forest alright now. It looks like the map is well-loved, yellowing at the corners with small tears, splotches of mud and having gone soft from overuse, especially at the fold marks.

I simply settle down and admire the map and Austin and everything that happened for a while. The sun falls, allowing me to enjoy the sunset, then the becoming of night. Can I still see the map?

I open up the corner just to reveal my misspelled name. I'm happy he tried at least. Now that it's dark though, I'd best be moving quicker to avoid getting hurt-

A familiar sound stops me, a blare I did my best to avoid previously. I look up to see police cars barreling at me.