Earth's End

Into the Woods We Go

We were somewhere in the middle of the woods, and despite the thick vegetation, there was just enough moonlight cutting through the trees to make out a rocky path leading away from us on both sides. The air was still and silent, not even a cricket could be heard. Nor were there any animals pattering around through the bushes or upon any sticks. It was an odd feeling that filled me with dread. Something wasn't right here.

"Come on, we've got to find a clearing somewhere so that we can set up camp for the night. We have to be up early in the morning so we can get a good start on finding where we're supposed to be," Kelly said and began walking left down the path. He seemed to know where he was going, so the rest of us followed him.

Allison followed close behind her brother while I hung back with Alex. "So, I'm still kind of confused about what we're supposed to be doing. I mean, how do we bring the ghosts back to life?" I asked him, and as I looked over at him, he just shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm not sure either, to be honest. We were hoping that you could foresee what you're supposed to do before we get there. Otherwise, we're all screwed. One thing we do know, though, is where we're going. Thanks to you, we now know that we need to find a beam of light reaching up into the sky," He replied.

I hadn't even remembered that, but now that I think about it, that was the first time that I had a 'vision' and actually understood that I got it because I am a Seer. The beam had been so bright, that it hurt my eyes just looking at it, even as it was fading. And the hundreds, if not thousands of figures running toward it, panicking that they wouldn't make it before the light completely went out, were ghosts trying not to get stuck in between worlds. I worked that much out but everything else doesn't make any sense.

"Anyways, let's not talk about our distressing future at the moment, let's catch up on the past. So, what have you been up to? What's school like these days? Have you even thought about me since you moved away?" He laughed at that last part as if it were a trick question. But knowing him, it probably was.

I smiled, realizing that these were probably the first normal questions I had heard since Kelly and Allison brought me to that... that... huh, now that I think about it I don't even know what it's called. I figured I would probably hear them call it something sometime in the near future, so I opted just to answer the questions, "Of course I thought about you, but if I'm being completely honest, it was only out of nostalgia for the past because I thought I'd never see you again. As for what I've been up to and school, I've been receiving a shit ton of homework because I'm an idiot and I thought I could handle all advanced classes, but when I'm not doing that, I'm usually either reading or writing."

"So, in other words, nothing has changed. Wow, your life has been so boring, I can't blame you for wanting to stay in this world. But, with the adventure you'll find in this world, comes consequences such as watching your friends die. Keep that in mind, if you want to continue down this path," Alex looked down at his feet and then ahead of him before turning back to me, "I mean the figurative path, not the physical path we're walking on. You have no choice in this matter."

I laughed, not really understanding how that was funny. I guess it didn't really matter, though, because it felt like a weight had lifted off my shoulders when I did. Alex smiled widely, pleased at himself that he had gotten me to laugh.

But of course, Mr. Party Pooper up at the front wasn't having any of the laughing that Alex and I were doing, "Guys, it is silent in these woods, if someone is out here, they could be able to hear you from quite a distance. Do I need to remind you that the man who closed the beam could be anywhere near here."

"Right, sorry Kelly," Alex replied.

"Whatever happened to that happy, carefree Kelly that pretended to be you that registered for my school for only a day?" I asked Alex. His face fell, realizing this too.

"I think it's just the stress that he's under, to be honest. He's kind of taken on the responsibility of being in charge of all of us at the worst time imaginable, his mom is missing, and his dad was just murdered." Alex replied.

"Wait, what? His dad was killed? What happened?" I asked and before my eyes, Alex's eyes went from depressed to scared quicker than I could blink.

"I wasn't supposed to say that! Kelly is going to kill me! Please, please, don't say anything to him!" Alex gasped. With the way these people run, I wouldn't be surprised if he meant literally, so I nodded my head.

"Here we go," Kelly called from ahead of us. As both Alex and I looked up, we had walked into a clearing of nothing but grass and a few trees here and there. That, apparently, was Alex's cue to take the backpack off and take out its contents, which appeared to be tents.

Kelly and Allison walked over, grabbed one of the tents, and began to spread it out. I helped Alex so the same. Thankfully, the moonlight was just bright enough to be able to make out the pictures on the instructions to help us figure out how the tents popped up. Next came the blankets and pillows, according to Alex, there was no room for actual sleeping bags, but I didn't mind.

I crawled into one of the tents, feeling very tired. It took five whole minutes before someone else crawled in behind me, it was Alex. "Allison didn't want to sleep in the same tent as you so you get me instead."

"That's ok, I would prefer not to sleep in the same tent as her anyways," I replied, my voice sounded so snobby that I almost cringed.

"What's your guy's deal with each other anyway?" He asked, raising an eyebrow, expecting me to give him an essay-length response. But, he was going to be disappointed.

"If you guys should be able to have your secrets, then I should be able to have mine," I responded. I didn't know why, but I felt like such a bitch for doing that, but I really didn't want people seeing that part of my life.

"I see. Well, please know that if you ever need to talk about it, I'm here for you," Alex replied. I nodded. And turned to face the other side of the tent. When did my life get so complicated? One second, I was laughing with Alex and the next he's upset that I haven't told him a secret. I shrugged it off and within a few minutes, I was asleep.