Dear Juliet

2

I huffed as I desperately tried to exit the forest. I forgot how long it has been since I have no clock or watch to remind me. What I know is that the sun is rising.

Anytime soon when the sun completely rises, they'll notice that I'm nowhere to be seen. I wonder how John will fix that, though.

And even if I've been desperately trying to get out of here, it wouldn't be long until they hold a search for me. It wouldn't be hard to find me if I would just be running circles around here with exactly no knowledge on how to get out.

"Ugh, how do I even get out of here?" I complained as I stopped by a tree, resting my hand as I put my palm on my chest and heaved all the air I could get.

At that time, I already felt hopeless and would just wait until the search finds me and I could make up a pretty good excuse to explain why I'm out here.

"Yeah, I give up." I blurted out as I sat, back towards the tree as I leaned on it and closed my eyes.

My dress is a mess and dirty, my hair is disheveled, I already feel so sticky and am craving for a nice long warm bath, and I haven't eaten since the party. I'm starving and I feel my energy losing.

But not when I looked to my side and see tracks. Fresh tracks. At the mud!

I awoken from my seat almost abruptly and crawled towards the tracks. I didn't mind how dirty the ground that I was crawling on was because every move I make closer to them, I can clearly see that it's footprints!

Someone must have been here just a while ago since it's still fresh and moist.

I pushed myself from the ground and grabbed my bag that I left at the tree and wore it. My eyes didn't leave the footprints as I stride my way. I was hopeful that atleast someone must not have gone too far or that someone lives here.

It wasn't too much of a walk. But by the time the sun had just risen completely, the footprints were gone. I panicked, turning my head as I searched the ground for any possible turns but there were none.

The path ahead were almost cleared from trees so I figured that it would be best if I try to make it out by myself once again.

And that's when I saw it. It was peaceful. Like when you're in the eye of a storm. Amidst the trees surrounding it as if you would be lost to nowhere, was a place in the middle and a cottage that reminded me that someone was actually here.

Like how the footprints mysteriously led me here.

A stream was also there. Water crystalizing with clear blue water that it looks clean enough for me to drink.  I approached the clean stream and smiled as I saw my reflection.

I was ragged, dirty, and looks unpleasant to the eyes. But I didn't mind and kneeled down to drink water and wash my face.

"I'd rather not do that." A voice somewhere in the cottage spoke as I was about to wash my face with the water.

I searched every window and saw at the right corner that someone was peeking. An old aged woman, with white hair tied in a low loose bun, and comfy clothes that you would actually see when it's winter.

Out of modesty, I stood up and fixed myself.

She got out from her house and I could see the faint smile as she stood by her porch. She signaled me to come her way so I did.

"Apologies, Madam. It was really unprofessional of me to bother your stream, but you see, I've been walking through the forest--"

"You talk too much, dear." She said before she turned her back on me. My eyebrows knitted together as I watched her went back in to her house.

"Come inside with me." She said. I was hesitant since a complete stranger was inviting me to her home. Not knowing who I am or if she knows if I have intention or not.

I don't. I just want water.

I entered her house. It was cozy and small. Perfect for only a person who loves wildlife. Every furniture was made out of wood. Also the walls and floor which clicks when your heels hit as you walk.

She led me to her kitchen and from the refrigerator (which I have no clue how she powers), she fixed me up a cup of juice and I drank it willingly.

It tasted refreshing although the fact that as I finished the whole cup, my head suddenly started spinning. It only lasted for 5 seconds until I was fully recovered.

I was hydrated and felt as if I had enough energy to survive for two days. That is, if I'm exaggerrating but I wasn't.

She sat at the table and ushered me to do the same. "Why are you here, dear?" She asked.

"I just happen to pass by your stream completely dehydrated." I explained. Half of it was a lie since I really was thirsty but excluded the fact that I followed footprints that lead me here.

She shook her head. "No. I asked why you came here." She repeated as if what Is said was wrong. I felt my heart sped up as I could hear every beat in my ears.

"I just said it." I told her but once again she shook her head as if I was mistaken. Was I supposed to answer something else or the truth?

She stood up from her seat and I watched her as she walk around the house to disappear and come back with a blanket and a pillow.

"Oh no, it's okay, Madam." I said as I stood up. "I wasn't planning on staying here all night." I told her as I don't want to bother. But, she completely ignored me and went to her couch and set up a bed for me.

"I don't plan on giving you any more troubles while I'm here." I explained and approached her but she just looked at me and smiled once again.

"But you need it." As much as I really do, I have suspicion and I don't want any more trouble.

"I can come back to my place since it's close and sleep there." I lied to her.

Her smile widened showing a few teeth that she was missing and her chappy dry lips which stretched.

"No. You need it. Because I'm taking you to where you want to go tomorrow." She said, before continuing to fix my bed.

I stood there, mortified. How did she know that I was going somewhere? And how does she know where I was going?

She told me that I could stay the night once again before she closed the lights on me as I still stood completely clueless by the couch.

As I laid down at the bed she made, I thought of things that I should do. Should I leave and just thank her with a note? Should I sneak outside?

I didn't answer any of those as I felt my eyelids close. And I was off to slumber.