The Way Out

Chapter 8 - The Way Of The Water

The wind rushed through my hair as I ran carefully down the rest of the volcano, avoiding the puddles of lava. The eruption had ended, yet the sky was still stained a fiery orange. The sun is setting, I told myself. Not again, I sighed. The clouds turned a rosy pink and the trees silhouetted over the distant rolling hills. I reached the bottom, feeling releived as my toes brushed the soft grass. I stopped when I reached the edge of the thick forest trees. The sun had now set fully and the moon rose overhead. I peered up into the sky, noticing the sky speckled with stars. For a moment, I had forgotten where I was, completely in awe. I realized I needed someplace to sleep, every muscle in my body screaming for a break. The trees spread around me as I wondered a few paces back into the forest. I stopped, and decided it might be safest to sleep above ground. My body shook as I pulled my self up the branches of a tall, sturdy tree. I clamped my eyes shut at the thought of collapsing onto the ground below. Opening my eyes, I grasped the thick branch above me. Immediately I found comfort in the crevice of the rough branch. Being cocooned in the layers of twigs and branches made me feel safe, and I slowly let my eyelids fall.
I let out a scream as I leaned over the corner of the branch, forgetting for a moment how I had gotten there. I clutched the trunk of the tree, silently thankful I hadn't fallen off during the night. As my heartbeat slowed, I took a breath before stretching my legs towards the branches below. My eyes blurred, and I wished I was a morning person.
     My bare feet hit the ground and I began walking with purpose. I fastened my satchel over my shoulder, and turned in the direction of the wind. I became frustrated with this death trap of a forest and made my way in the opposite direction. My mind wandered as I trailed along at a quick pace, leaving the towering trees behind me.
This is like a real life video game, but I have only one life, I thought. I had set my priorities straight - I needed to get out. Memories of a past life flooded my busy mind. For a moment I was back at home, I could feel an arm around my shoulder. My smile faded as I remembered the day I left. My heart ached so much I could barely feel the pain in my legs.
I wish I had said goodbye... My thoughts whirled and I blinked, trying to focus.
How do I escape this prison? Images of the yellowed map appeared in my mind. I tried to remember every little detail, wondering if there had been an exit somewhere I'd missed. I reached for my satchel, trying to pull out the map, when I froze.
     Cold pierced my feet, and spread up to my ankles. I could recognize that numbing feeling anywhere. I let out an ear-piercing scream.
Water! My eyes flew open and I forced them to focused once more. All I could remember was the cold touch of the current, pulling me nauseously back and forth. The feeling of death's grip slowly dragging me down, away from the surface.
     I snapped my head towards the water, feeling stupid as I watched a small wave pull back and forth, it's foamy tip barely reaching my ankles. I let out a small giggle, loosening up. I had overreacted.
     I turned around, noticing how the rough grass had turned to soft sand under my bare feet. I wiggled my toes, mesmerized by the way it moved, and comforted by its softness. It's nothing like the rocky currents I have hidden at the back of my memories. Looking up, I see a big blueish green stripe painted across the horizon. Water floods into my culled hands and I scoop it to my mouth before immediately regretting it. My tongue bathed in it's overwhelmingly salty flavour, and I spit it out onto the moist sand.
It's an ocean...
     I stood ankle deep, the cool water flowing around me. Slowly, I shuffled forward, burying my feet in the loose sand. I stopped as the waves reached my kneecaps, and dragged my fingertips through the water's surface. The blazing sun had crawled up into the sky by now, and it's heat warmed my top half, as the water cooled my bottom half. It felt odd, but comfortable.
     Scooping up more water, I dampened my hair, and splashed my face. The gentle waves moved silently over the sand and my legs. I could see the bare ocean floor through the crystal clear waves, no fish in sight. I was glad.
     Who knows what kind of viscous man-eating fish could live in here? Whatever's down there, I've probably seen worse...
     I turned around, studying the ant-sized trees in the distance, and wondering how far I've come. I smiled in satisfaction.
     Remembering what I was here to do, I pulled out the map. It's crumpled surface spread from one hand to the other as I opened it up. The holes in each of the four corners made me angry.
It's obvious someone ripped them out trying to hide something. If this map shows a way out, then the person - or creature - who lived in that tree must really not want anyone escaping...