On The Run

Night had fallen. It seemed like hours. The forest is misty and disorienting. All the trees look similar no matter which direction I look. Birch, oak, and evergreens.

How long have I been running?

Her internal thoughts filling her mind. Distracting her. She kept replaying that morning over and over again. Fresh tears streaming down her face when she thought she had long run out.

Mom, you're up early! What's the special occasion?

Her mother gave her a look she didn't remember seeing before as she made her way into the small kitchen. Was small yet cozy at the same time since it was just the two of them. That look though, made her feel uneasy. As if things would be changing.

Honey sit down, we need to talk.

Oh no. Things were always bad when Mom said these words. Last time had been because of some local kids getting hurt near me. It had been the first time something, abnormal, had happened with me. I hadn't been allowed back to town since.

I sat down in the worn wooden chair at the table, and waited for her to start talking.

Since you were little I have taught you how to survive. How to use what is available to you.

Dumbfounded at the direction this conversation is taking I just stare at my mother. She looks worn today, with her hair tied back but more hair loose than normal. Waiting for the point where I'm told how something is wrong.

You are older now and there are some things I need to tell you now that you're older. First, I love you with all my heart and have raised you as I have for a reason. Your father was a very strong man and gave up everything for us. It is why we have been able to live as well as we have all these years.

I can see the sorrow in her eyes, her eyes misty with unshed tears. Not fully understanding what she is talking about but I can see the love and pain in her eyes. Dad has always been a bit of a taboo subject with Mom. Other than the fact that he's gone I don't really know anything about him. I use to ask about him all the time but every time she would start crying and become depressed. So I had stopped asking not wanting to see her cry or act like a husk only going through the motions for days.

Suddenly there's a noise outside, like branches snapping and something falling. I go to check what it is. We live outside of town and never get visitors and that is the only explanation since we have a fence to keep out larger animals that would be capable of making those noises. As I am getting up Mom grabs my hand and I notice she looks panicked. Fear in her eyes but also determination.

Look for the wolves! They can help! I know you don't know what's going on now but no matter what happens next I need you to run. Run as fast and as hard as you can into the Misty Forest until you find them!

After that she shoved me into a tunnel through a trap door I didn't even know existed It had been under the rug in the hallway. The dark and damp tunnel seemed to go on forever. I ended up at the edge inside of the Misty Forest. I started running not knowing what would become of my mother but hoping she would be ok. Not knowing what had caused her to be that panicked to send me out alone or to have an escape route planned straight to the Misty Forest for who knows how long. The Misty Forest was an ominous place that many avoided. Those in town thought it was haunted and brought only death, as so many people trying to prove their bravery, or out of desperation when food was short, would go in but never return.

I stopped to breath. Needing to catch my breath after running for so long. Noticing a creek I walk over and bend down for a drink. The water was crystal clear. I could see all the small rocks with moss on them that made up the bottom.

I had been running since morning and was exhausted. Hopefully, the distance I had gone into the forest was enough for me to be able to rest for a little while. Sitting against a large weeping willow tree at the edge of the creek to catch my breath I ended up dozing off without realizing.