Eternity

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

Eternity

LIFE, believe, is not a dream

So dark as sages say;

Oft a little morning rain

Foretells a pleasant day. 

Sometimes there are clouds of gloom,

But these are transient all;

If the shower will make the roses bloom,

O why lament its fall ?...

Charlotte Bronte

I had no idea where to begin.

          I turned to look at the well. There was no way I was going back down there after nearly dying. I turned to face the tress.

          The forest was dark and vast before me, and not exactly knowing what was in there, I wasn’t sure I was ready to take the chance of going in. I looked all around me. There was no other exit. I sighed. The only way I would ever get anywhere was if I went through the forest or the well. I’d rather take the forest, thank you.

          I took off in the direction that was probably west. The sun was setting in that direction. I mean, who carries a compass with them everywhere they go?

          The forest was dark and big, bigger than I thought it would be. The setting sun cast black shadows across the grass and fallen trees. I stepped over braches and rocks, and strange reptiles that might be snakes. I hoped.

          I shivered. The temperature was dropping with every step I took. My breath was visible now; my thin hoodie was no match for the cold. It had to be like, 30℉. It was becoming harder and harder to walk, harder and harder to raise my legs with each step, and snow was falling around me now. My teeth clacked violently. The wind whistled straight through my clothes. I was dressed for a summer evening in Maine; not a trip to Alaska.  

          My heart beat faster as I glanced back behind me. What if I never found my way back? The snow was falling thickly now, blurring my vision. My path had already disappeared. But there was nothing else to do but keep going. I continued on forward, my tears freezing on my cheeks. Was I making the right decision? Did I even belong here?

          My thoughts and limbs were numb and I could see a small light in the distance. “Who knows what it leads to?” I mused aloud. “I could be walking straight into a trap.” But where there was light, there was warmth. If I could just reach that light, I’d be safe. I’d be warm. One more step. Two more steps.

          I could feel my eyelids closing. “Don’t go to sleep. Do not go to sleep!” I mumbled. But I could feel myself falling. And before I could regain my balance or put out my hands to stop myself, I hit the soft snow, sinking slowly. I closed my eyes. I gave up.

          I sank into sleep.

♦•♦•♦

          “She’s nearly frostbitten, Eliah, helping me bring her into the house.” My eyes fluttered to the sound of voices, but closed them again as I realized I was still in the horrible cold.

“Are you kidding? Dalacie, Queen Devodie’s guards would have our heads if she knew we were hiding a human.”

The two voices fiercely whispered back and forth above me.

“We’re not exactly hiding her; we’re just…protecting her.” The voices paused.

“Fine, but I had no part in this.”