The forest

Chapter 4

I wake to the sounds of chirping birds and wait what the heck is that sound? Something between a snorting pig and someone wheezing uncontrollably. I don't know weather to feel concerned for whoever is making that noise or terrified because it could be possibly a monster that came to kill my whole family (I seriously read too much). My parents must have already left for work, hence the invisible vehicle that's stationed in the driveway. That would mean I'm home alone.

Jumping out of my bed and throwing the already ruffled covers on the ground I march towards my window. I was lucky enough to have a window facing my front yard, so just in case some of my friends came over I would know which one it is before opening the front door, that's saying if any of my friends actually came over. My front yard is fairly small just like my house, with two large oak trees and one skinny gravel driveway in between them. I notice the noise is coming from the trash cans at the end of my driveway, because of how they're shaking wildly. The growling or whatever that odd sound is isn't stopping so I decide to go see what's trying to eat my garbage.

Once I step out into the warm air a cool summer breeze whistles by my ears and it's actually nice to be outside without dying of heat. In the summer you always have the cloudy and cold days, even though you think it will be warm but once you're outside you find yourself shivering . The scorching hot days where you'd rather stay inside then risk walking to the lake or store to buy candy. But there are only a few rare days where there's a bit of clouds in the blue sky accompanied by a warm breeze from the ocean. I'm pretty grateful that today is one of those rare cases.

I walk towards the rattling garbage bins slowly, if it's what I think it is then raccoons can surely attack you (have you ever seen Elf?). So I would rather not have scratches all over my face when my parents come home, that would lead to so many questions.

As the bins grow closer I can't seem to spot what's actually making all that noise. The animal is hidden from view, so that would mean I have to get a little bit closer. My heartbeat quickens because if it gets frustrated with me it could pounce and that would not be good. A pouncing raccoon is scary if you think about it. They have nasty looking claws and little mouth's with tiny sharp teeth. Blah gross and plus they've been diving through garbage all day probably by now smell horrible.

Looking around the corner knowing what's behind is in fact scary. Just like on a roller coaster that you've been on millions of times, whenever you come to the point where you'll go down the huge drop butterflies burst in your stomach. Even though you know it'll happen and you've been through it hundreds of times, the butterflies still appear. It's kind of similar to my situation I know and animal is behind the bin but I'm still shaking with fear and anticipation.

As I peer around the garbage can—

"Ahhhhhhhhhh!" A familiar blonde haired kid from my school jumps out scaring the hell out of me.

"What the heck Jason!" I screech at him clutching my chest and taking a step backwards. "Why would you do that!"

He just laughs "Because I knew you were home alone and wanted to scare you. I think I successfully accomplished my mission."

Here's a small backstory about me and this dude. So since we were small Jason and I have known each other, given that our parents were extremely close in high school and still are to this day it's no surprise that we're pretty close. But he is such a little jerk and I can't imagine why. So I've stayed my distance from mister I'm sooo popular and pretty much only talked to him when our families arranged a game night.

"I'm leaving, so if you'd like to stay and do the dishes then be my guest, but if not then please leave my house." I state

"I get it you want me to scram, like every other time." He says pouting.

This isn't in fact the first time he's come to my house and played some stupid little prank on me. It gets really annoying after the tenth time and I always think I'll know exactly when he's pranking me, but I never do.  The pranks come, surprising me every single stupid time.

"Yes, I want to to leave soon and I'd like it if you let me leave my house without the stress of bumping into you again." That perks his attention

"Where you goin?" He asks intrigued

If he wants to know, well then I guess I should tell him.

"If you must know." I whisper. "A secret kept between us only," he nods coming closer. "I'm going to a classified meeting about aliens at the  post station and then you won't believe me, afterwards were going to the library."

"What! Never in a million years will you catch me in that place, I'm out!" He yells then runs back down the street to his house.

Ha! I knew he wouldn't want to come boys and books don't normally mix. Unless they're part of the odd and unique set of males from our planet that actually make time out of their days to sit down and read a book. Which I congratulate them so much, for doing that.

Arriving at the post station and dropping of the letters doesn't take much time at all. I'm in and out in less then five minutes and I'm glad I avoided waiting in any line to drop the letters off. Lines take so long and would've wasted some of my searching time. You're just waiting there bored out of your mind and basically have no other choice then to people watch the whole time. If you've ever been to Disney though it's a good idea to maybe use when you're waiting in the lines. You just need to find a couple or family to watch and judge internally.

I walk to the library after finishing up with the mail and go immediately to someone who works there. The only way to find out if they have anything on the forest, the best way, is that I'll ask rather then attempting to search myself.  Because I don't know how omg the second option would end up taking.

"Hello? Excuse me?" I ask an old lady with gray hair and glasses. "Hello? Hi there can you hear me?" She still keeps her back to me. "HELLO!" I shout gaining a few shushes.

She finally turns around "Yes dearie what could I do for you?"

"Do you have any books involving our forest?" I ask politely.

"Oh no no, we got rid of those a while ago." She answers. "It was from a request made by the mayor, sorry sweetheart."

"Thank you." I reply and walk away.

What am I going to do now? If they have absolutely no information then how can I find out about what truly happened to those kids.

"Hey." I hear someone whisper as I'm yanked into an isle. Suddenly I'm staring awkwardly into the most beautiful emerald eyes I've ever seen. The isle we're in disappears and all I'm focusing on are his eyes and then his voice. "I heard you were looking for information about the forest."