Cursed Love

3

  The days flew past and soon it was a Friday. School had just finished. James and I walked together as usual, awkward silence hanging in the air. I still cannot believe he lived in the same block of flats as me! Strange that I have never seen him before... 

  "Uh...so tell me more about your family." James tried to make a conversation. 

  I looked at him and smiled. "Oh, my folks work overseas and I'm an only child, so...yeah. How about you?" I lied easily to him. What? I barely knew him!

  James looked away. "Um...my mum died so my dad singlehandedly raised my sister, Maia, and I. Dad's now settling some business overseas and Maia was sent to another country to pursue her studies." I cocked my head. I felt as though he was hiding something from me but I could not put my finger on it. His words rang more or less true...

  "Well, see you around then." James waved me goodbye and he went to his apartment before I could say anything. Frowning, I went home. 

  Night wrapped her arms around earth. The night sky was a bluish indigo canvas splattered with white paint that winked in and out, as though in a game of hide and seek. I tossed and turned in my bed, restless. Finally, I sat up with a sigh and glanced out of my window which had a perfect view of the forest---Redwoods.

  I looked at the weapons displayed proudly on my wall. Perhaps it was time for me to sharpen my skills. I stood up and changed into a sleek black long-sleeved jumpsuit that had a hoodie. I made it myself. Then, I put on my belt and quickly fitted my sword and a few daggers in. Then, I strapped the diy bow and arrows to my back. Using rope, I climbed out from the window and skidded down the building to prevent from being seen by people and CCTVs. 

  I put a timer on my watch and started sprinting to Redwoods. Upon my arrival, I glanced at my watch and smiled. 2 seconds faster than the last time! I climbed up a tree and jumped from tree to tree nimbly. Adrenaline pumped through my veins and beads of perspiration dotted my forehead. I touched down on the clearing I always went to with a flourish.

  Tossing my bag casually on the floor, I took my bow and an arrow out. Quickly, I shot down a fruit from a tree before running un shooting another one on the run. Then, I rolled on the floor quickly and shot down another fruit. Smiling as three fruit thudded on the ground, I picked them up and put them gently into my bag. 

  Then, I stalked to a tree. Cracking my knuckles, I let out a breath and started using the tree as my punching bag. I closed my eyes and the memories came. 

  Alana's blank eyes staring into nothing. Slam. The blank void in my head. Slam. The three werewolves lying dead on the ground. Slam. David lying on a hospital bed, Riley's face staring back at me in the mirror, his arm around my waist, his lips---SLAM! 

  The last hit brought leaves raining down me, bringing me to my senses. My eyes were wet and my lungs were constricted. "The past is history, the future a mystery. The present is a gift. Only thing that matters right now." I whispered to myself as I brought my knees up to my chest and pushed my past away to that deep dark corner that everyone has in their minds.

  Taking a deep breath, I crossed my legs and closed my eyes. See, my great great great grandma was very spiritual. She had a deep connection to the forest. Before she sacrificed herself up to the forest, she passed on that spiritual knowledge to me, the only person who had taken her seriously and showed the slightest bit of interest in what she called Forest-seeing.

  "The forest is just as alive as you and I," Great great great Grandma had said to me, "Open your ears and hear its whispers and singings, may it soothe your soul and enlighten your spirit. Open your inner eye and see through all of the animals' eyes and may it strengthen your understanding and make you wise beyond your years. The forest is a gift, Raena, its spirit is alive. It can teach you much, only if you are willing to open yourself up to it."