As I jet through the tangled woods, trying to escape the whispers, that seem to be coming from every direction, my clumsy feet find a root and I'm sent sprawling onto my belly. I try to stand up and run but can't. I'm too dizzy. I know I have to move or I'm going to die a painful death due to this unknown monster encircling me and moving closer every second. The warm sticky blood trickling down my face stings my eyes and blinds me. I'm stumbling blindly through the woods as sharp, thorny vines rip at my skin. I know I can't go much further. This was supposed to be a scenic tour into the Oak Woods, now I wasn't sure I was going to make it out alive. I stop running to catch my breath. I find that I'm trying to convince myself that this is all a dream and it will be over soon, but I know that's not true. I try to calm down but I can't I'm too scared to think. Right then, I hear a branch break not far behind me. My body goes rigid. There is someone or maybe even something behind me but I'm too scared to turn around. All of a sudden, I feel a cold hand clamped over my mouth. But that isn't where the story begins.
I wake up to the sun gently brushing my skin with its warm rays. I can hear the oceans, peaceful rhythm as it's blue, foamy waves glide smoothly over the sand and around my ankles. It is so peaceful. I'm so blessed, I think to myself. I get to explore and fulfill my love of nature. I even got to sleep down here on the beach last night. I can't believe my parents paid for the trip to this stunning beach. My parents know how much I love nature and today they might even take me on a tour of the Oak Woods. They are supposedly haunted, but I'm not superstitious. There is no such thing as ghosts and there's no way those woods are haunted.
“Jonathan”, my mom calls me from the blue, quaint beach house. “Come get ready for the day”.
“Okay mom, coming”. I dash up to our beach house. When I get onto the old porch, I pull open the white, rustic door. All the lights in the little, old beach house are off. My parents must have gone into the room to get ready. Then, all of a sudden, they pop out of nowhere,
“Surprise!”, they yell excitedly.
“Wow”, I grin from ear to ear. The yellow papers in their hand say, “Oak Woods Tour tickets”.
“We're really going to the Oak Woods?” I asked hopefully.
“Yep”, says my mom. I run up to my parents and give them a big bear hug.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!”, I chant.
“You're welcome, Johnny”, says Dad as he rubs my head. "We need to leave by ten o'clock, so go get ready". I walk excitedly to my room and pull off my gray, Old Navy sweatshirt then replace it with a red and green plaid shirt. I slide into my blue jeans as I walk into the bathroom to finish getting ready. After I wash my face, I brush my teeth and then brush my sandy blonde curls back.
I can't believe my parents are taking me to the Oak Woods. It is one of those places I've always wanted to go but didn't think it would ever happen. They must really know how much I love nature. I've loved nature ever since I was a little boy. I remember that every Saturday, when I was six, I would go fishing in the woods with my older cousin, Oliver. He loves nature more than anyone I've ever met. He knew so much and I looked up to him. I wanted to be just like him. I started to walk like him, talk like him, but most importantly I gained knowledge about nature like him. I still remember the first time I taught him about nature. He was so impressed. I still thank him to this day for all those Saturdays he spent with me In the woods when he could have been hanging out with his friends. Without him, I probably wouldn't have ever gained my love of nature and I certainly wouldn't be where I am today, as leader of the Nature Club. Knock, knock, knock, I hear on the bathroom door.
“Johnny, we need to leave in 5 minutes. Make sure you find your boots then, put on Off and sunscreen", instructs my dad.
“Are you excited”?
“Yeah, thank you so much”.
“You're welcome, buddy. Your mom and I will be putting the cooler in the car. Meet us out there when you're ready to go”.
“Okay” I walk over to my bed and dig in my suitcase for my boots. Where are they? I continue to dig through my never-ending suitcase until I finally find them. I can definitely say organization is not one of my strong suits. After lacing them up I spray Off and lather myself in sunscreen. I hear my parents calling me, so I run outside.
“Are you ready to go”, asks my mom after I shut the door to the red Kia.
“Yep!”, I reply.
“I'm so excited! I doubt they're actually haunted”.
“Maybe”, replies dad. I let out a loud yawn.
“You seem tired”.
“Yeah, I kind of am”.
“Why don't you get some rest on the way”.
“Ok, I guess”. I close my eyes and sink deeper and deeper into the realm of sleep.
