The Way Out

Chapter 6 - The Way Of The Woods

Branches crashed around me, leaves spiraling down in all direction. My hands clutched the insides of the trunk, hearing it creak. I screamed as the face of the beast appeared in front of the opening, its mouth wide open. Its scaly skin scraped against the rough tree bark as it circled the trunk. I pressed myself further inside the tree, my sides scraping the bark around me. I slowly crept backward, step by step. I walked, realizing I had paced back at least five feet, standing much farther away than I could inside a tree trunk. The dragon's head appeared once more in the doorway, and I froze, my feet rooted to the spot. A circular piece of wood came into view at the corner of my vision. I instinctively raced towards it and slid it into the opening. I stepped back, gazing in confusion when the thin piece of wood fit perfectly into the hole, like a puzzle piece. I sighed, collecting my thoughts.
I'm safe in here, I told myself. I turned around, noticing for the first time how big the space was. Smooth wooden walls stretched around me, a staircase spiraling upwards. Books, grey with dust, sat on shelves. A table and chairs were placed in the middle of the room, almost as if someone had been living here. I walked over to the table, standing over a map that had been spread out. It was huge, covering most of the table, with a few holes here and there where pieces had been ripped out.
That's odd, I thought. Someone would only rip out a perfect circle in the middle of a map if they wanted to hide something.
I frowned, examining the circles where the table showed through. There were four, placed like the four corners of a perfect square. I traced my finger over the places I'd been. I found a small area painted green, knowing they were trees. I found the raging river that had carried me. I ran my finger along its path, wondering how far it had taken me, and through where. My finger hit the table's smooth surface as the map ended.
I'll never know, I thought. If I can't leave the way I came. I'll have to find another way out.
I jumped as I heard a roar. The screech of the dragon startled me, but I knew it wouldn't be able to reach me. I heard the loud flapping of wings as it gave up, flying away. Turning back to the room, I wondered how it could be so huge. I was inside of a small tree after all. I stepped back to the doorway where I had placed the door-looking sheet of wood. I pressed my ear up against its smooth surface, listening for the dragon. I pulled the door away when I heard nothing, and stepped into the open. I circled the tree, staring in confusion when it looked just as skinny as before.
How could it be small on the outside, but big on the inside? This is a strange place, I said to myself. It's almost like a separate dimension.
I gave up looking for an explanation, and ducked back through the opening, shutting the door behind me. I walked over to the bookshelf, looking for anything useful. I pulled out a thick, red book, brushing the dust off of it. It had shiny gold details and a title that read The Owl's Existence. I opened to a random page, examining the odd sketches and language. Most words I understood, but some I had never heard of. Like Pzchur, or Fgharqv. I wasn't sure how to pronounce those words, and recognizing this was a spell book, didn't want to know what would happen if I said them out loud. I flipped through the pages, stopping when I recognized something. A drawing of a massive snake filled a page, along with a few words.
The same snake as the one in my dream, I noticed. I wondered what would happen if I spoke the sentence aloud. Would it summon the deadly beast? Would I turn into one? I gave a giggle as I pictured myself in the body of a snake. I closed the book, placing it to the side. I pulled out a book from another shelf, laying it out on the floor.
     The Ocean's Shadows, I read the title to myself. I flipped open its dark blue cover, scanning each and every page. Drawings of symbols and odd looking plants danced throughout the book, along with some imaginary-looking creatures. I flipped to the very last page, seeing nothing but a signature. R. L. it read, in fancy cursive writing. I slid the book to the side and placed the red one back in front of me. I opened to the last page, noticing the very same signature.
     What does it stand for? I wondered. I got to my feet, brushing the dust off my hands. I peered up, wondering where the staircase would take me. I curiously stepped up the smooth, wooden stairs, spiraling upwards. Old, dusty boxes were scattered around the floor. There were no windows, I realized, yet it was perfectly light inside. I didn't see any lamps, or light switches either. I scanned the second floor, walking carefully around the boxes. I kneeled down, opening the folds of a cardboard box. It was filled with books, and random little objects, including strangely-colored leaves and twigs. I pulled a few things out, making my way to the bottom. A leather satchel lay at the bottom. I reached in, pulling it out and brushing the dust off. I opened its flap, looking inside, but it was empty. The books seemed similar to those on the shelves downstairs, and I stacked them back in the box, not bothering to examine each and every page. I pulled the satchel over my head, letting its long strap rest on my shoulders.
It's time for me to leave, I told myself, not wanting to know what would happen if someone - or something - returned to its home. I walked down the spiral staircase, stumbling as I tripped on a small bag. I looked down, wondering if it was there before.
I didn't see it on the way up, I thought. I picked it up and opened it, finding three apples inside. I took one out, confusion bubbling inside me as I realized they were fresh.
Everything inside here is old, I thought. These apples would be rotten. Unless... I shook away my thoughts, too hungry to think any longer. I took a bite, feeling it's juices trickle down my chin. I hadn't eaten in a long time, I realized. My ribs showed through my skinny frame, and I felt weak. The apple gave me a boost if energy, and I stuffed the bag in the satchel.
Two apples left. I continued down the stairs and stopped by the table. I rolled the map and placed it carefully inside the satchel. I gave a look around the room before heading to the bookshelf. I bent down and picked up the two books from the floor, placing them next to the map. I gazed at the door.
It's time to go.