Hidden Allure

Meeting Danger 2

Where was she?

Ever since the day that I learned of my sister, I’ve just had this urge to find her by any means.

Since I was little, I had so many imaginary friends, trying to fill the unfillable gap of not having a sibling. I was so jealous of Trish. She had a sister all of her own, and it’s not like Hannah was a toy that I could borrow.

I met so often with my imaginary friends that my parents began to worry about me. Eventually I got over it though. I had to face the fact that I would never have a sister to whisper secrets to at night, or a brother to joke around with. Even though Caleb filled that cavity pretty well.

When I thought of Caleb, I began to wonder how he was. Was he worrying about me? I hoped not. I never should have sent him the note that said I was leaving. He already had enough on his mind with his family and all, so he didn’t need any more of a burden.

I silently mumbled a prayer for him and his seriously ill sister. Please, make her well again, though I didn’t know who I was praying to.

The wind stung at my eyes. I sat down on a nearby rock to examine my cuts and bruises. My bare foot had a splinter in it, so I pulled it out with my long unkempt nails, wincing. The only other injuries I had were a few scrapes on my arms from the tree branches. Still, I must have looked like a mess.

Mother would have been so upset to see me like this. Oh, Mother. She must be so disappointed in me right now. I really did not want to make her feel bad, and for a second, I felt a wave of anger surge through me. At myself. How had I dared to leave her like this, that too without telling her, after all she did for me? I knew the reason why. I knew that she would not let me go. And nothing, not even my love for mom, could stop me from getting my sister back where she belongs.

But why? Why was my sister separated from her family in the first place? There had to be  someone, or something, behind all this. I knew without a doubt that my mother was not capable of something like this. She would never abandon her own child.

Then what was it? I had a queasy feeling in my stomach, and it was not just because I was hungry.

Suddenly, something came to me. What if Maia was evil? What if she didn’t want a sister at all? What if- no. I could not sit here making up possible theories as to why she was missing. I’d just have to follow through with my plan and find her. That was final.  

It was time to start today’s search. I began to pack the small amount of belongings I had brought with me into my black leather pouch. First the shawl, then my food (crackers and cheese) and water, paper, the writing tool, and the picture of me and Maia when we were babies.

I observed the picture. When I first saw it, I couldn’t who was who, but Caleb and I figured out that I was on the right and Maia was on the left. Now I could see a difference between us two. I was staring straight at the camera, bawling, but Maia was just staring into space. There was something different about her. I just didn’t know what.

The sun had already risen and I hadn’t even started today’s journey. I got up to start. I would just have to find breakfast along the way. I wanted to save the food I had brought with me for emergencies.

I made a mental checklist for what I would have to do today.

-Get food for meals

-Find a good water supply to return to

-Discover the dangers of the Forest

-FIND MAIA

Okay. the first thing was doable. I heaved myself up from the rock and ventured out into a clear open space. It was perfectly circular with a little stone right in the middle, looking lonely and forlorn. Tall trees surrounded the clearing.  

Something didn’t seem right. There shouldn’t be something like this, something so... perfect, in the middle of the Forest. Someone, or something had done this.

I walked tentatively to the center of the circle, studying the stone. It was a milky brown with swirls of purple mixed in. Huh. How come we hadn’t studied this rock in petrology? Yes, I was nerdy like that. I thought we had memorized all of them.

Curiously, I kicked the stone.  Suddenly, a buzzing filled the air. It felt as if the atmosphere itself was vibrating with some sort of presence, and not a good one either. As I backed away, I heard a hissing in my ear.

You dare to kick me? Fool, you will realize your mistake soon enough. Soon enough. Just remember, my dear, I have your sister.

Shaking, I yelled out to the voice, “ No! Where is she? I’m sorry to have kicked you, but I really need to know where she is!”

Ha ha. You will learn about her soon. Don’t get impatient dear. Goodbye.

“Wait, tell me!”

Too late. The presence was gone. I had missed the chance to learn of Maia. Shoulders slumped in defeat, I walked back to where my backpack was laying at.

That voice was evil. There was nothing inviting about it and it felt hostile. What was it doing to her?

Well, this was just great. I didn’t have any food to eat so far, but at least I had made some progress on number three and possibly four on my checklist.

I sat glumly for a while on the big rock, staring at a leaf blowing around the ground. It looked so desperate, fluttering about like it was distressed or worried. Where was its tree, where it belongs? Poor leaf. It had lost its fellow leaves, just like I had lost my sister, and now I was all alone, with no mother, no friend, and nobody to talk to.

I had to forget the depressing thoughts. I suddenly sat up straight as my stomach grumbled loudly. Okay, maybe now I could get some food. Those cheese and crackers would definitely not last me for a long time.

Looking around me, I nearly laughed out loud. There were purple berries on all the trees. I couldn’t believe I didn’t notice! Just one problem... the trees were way out my reach, nearly 20 feet tall. How was a girl like me to get to something that tall?

My stomach grumbled again. I definitely had to get those berries. Oh, well. A few more scratches wouldn’t hurt.

Walking up to a tree to my left, I wrapped my arms around the thick trunk and hopped up, the soles of my bare feet gripping the rough surface. I hoisted myself up sliding my hands up as I go. I kept on going until I was about two thirds of the way there. Panting, I looked down, feeling dizzy.

I should have brought my canteen along with me. If it hadn’t been for all those hikes with Caleb, I definitely would have fallen. My stomach once again growled loudly.

Sighing, I looked up and screamed.