Misadventures

Take a Hike

I'm staring at the weird eyed creature, "Dude look at this weird frog!" I tell Trey.

"Gross." He squats down next to me with a stick, "But I triple dog dare you to catch it!"

Nice! The frog looks so colorful with all its striped lines and changing colors. I eagerly grab the frog but it leaps out of my hands. Slime and shine coat my twelve-year-old fingers.

"Catch it!" Trey zooms passed me going after the frog.

The green amphibian jumps from lilac to lilac as I try my best to catch it and not fall into the muddy stream. But I did fall, and some mud got in my mouth.

Was it awful? 1000 percent. Would I do it again? 1000 percent.

Trey stopped his chase on the frog and came back to help me, "Oh no! If you go home dirty again your momma is never gonna let us play again!"

I forgot about the strict rules I had from my mom. She never liked Trey, she always thought it was weird for us to be so close and that I would never have any girl friends or do girly things.

But those things are just not fun! He helps me up and I try to remove as much dirt and dust from my shirt as possible. My camo shorts didnt get as dirty since I feel head first on the mud. There was a little bit on my hair but I think Trey and I got all of it out. It's just a little brown in some areas, hopefully she won't notice.

The sky was beginning to turn a yellowish color. The sun was setting soon. Trey and I started slowly walking back toward my backyard.

I tried to think of a lie to tell my mom on our way back. Exploring the woods has always been my favorite past time. Theres alot of weird bugs and so much space to play hide and seek. It gets really dark and scary at night but sometimes the fireflies and moon give us enough light to play cops and robbers.

"Hey check this out!" Trey sounded far away, but I had to stay focus now that we're getting closer.

I didn't pay him any attention and kept walking, he'll come up to me if it's really cool anyway. I had to think of a plan to save my friendship with Trey. I stop myself on the green grass that separates the yard from the woods.

I couldn't think of any thing and I was starting to panic when my house was getting bigger the closer I walked toward it. I turn back to look at Trey
I assumed he'd been following me or at least walking near me the whole time but he wasn't even there, its like he dissapeared.

"Trey?" I spun my whole body, away from my house completely.

He didn't respond.

"Trey?!" He never left my side in the woods. Where did he go?

"Trey!" I scream louder in hopes that he can hear me but after a minute of silence I begin to panic.

The sun is still up so I still have time to look for him. I enter the woods again. I retrace my steps and reach the muddy stream I fell in. But tmsomething was off. I try to remember where we were when we last spoke, and I walk back toward my house, but it seemed farther than when I got home.

My sense of direction isnt awful, ive been in thess woods for so long I rarely get lost. But why does it seem so different now? I can't find him. He probably got out of the woods when I got in.

As much as I didnt want to, I turn back around and walk toward my backyard. The sky is quickly changing to a orangey-redish color. The sun is setting but I hope an adult can find him better than I can.

I'm not sure why but I start walking in a faster pace, the sun is also setting oddly quick.

Running in the woods often has a thrilling and light hearted feeling. But now as I'm running without Trey, I feel like I'm being chased. Like leaves are ruffling at my side but no one is at my side. Like itll be too late if it gets dark and like the sun is speeding to get to the other side if the world.

Dark shadows appear at my sides, as if I will be caught in a trap. I feel a knot form in my stomach and fear seems to be crippling my adrenaline. I dont stop my running and I move faster bursting through twigs and branches that weren't there before. Past the woods and into my green yard, an imaginary wall had trapped the eerie monster on the other side. It was night fall.

I look around my yard and I don't see Trey. I run to his house and look through the back window, no one was around. I call his name a few times and I didnt hear his reply.

I ran back home with less intensity but clear panic in my voice, "Trey is missing!" I yell as soon as I enter and see my dad reading the paper on his favorite couch.

His forehead creased, "Barbara's son? What happened? Why are you all muddy?" He quickly noticed my alarm and was standing up, placing his cigar and paper down by the third question.

My mom walked into the living room before I answered him, "Sweetie, that is not lady like. Were you playing with the Smith's son again?"

"Trey has gone missing Brenda." My dad says to my mom.

She quickly comes to hug me, "Oh no sweetie, what happened? Are you hurt?"

My father moves past us.

I finally answer, "Yea I'm fine but the sun is set and Trey is still out there in the dark we have to go look for him!" I tell her frantically.

"I'll tell the Smith's and look with them, you stay here." My dad tells us and looks at me pointedly.

I nod my head and hung it low feeling guilty. I turn to my mom, "Mom, I'm really scared, I'm sorry I went back I know I shouldn't have I'm sorry-." I put my head on her shoulder and started to cry.

"Its ok, sweetie they will find him. But you must stay out of the woods from now on. Alright?" She a smooths my muddy hair and strokes my back comfortingly.

I nod without protesting. The guilt feeling hadn't left, and I can't help but feel it's my fault that he disappeared. I wish I looked his way when he called out to me. I shouldn't have gone to the woods in the first place. This is all my fault.

I'm so sorry Trey.