5 Chapter 5: Through the Forest We Go

The distance of this street and the edge of the forest is not that far. Plus, we've already memorized every crack on the road of town, so we basically got the entire map on the back of our heads. Even all the shortcuts.

I lived here ever since I was born—my entire ancestry has. We're sort of stuck in here, and despite all the stuff we've been through all the years, it is 'home'. I take a good look around each store we pass by and memories flood in my brain of weird experiences. I guess it's not entirely bad here, but I still do want to leave this place for good.

We finally arrived at the starting edge of the forest. They're right. No one does go around this part of town. We probably lost sight of any humans a couple of blocks from here. Unless, what I saw just now was a human. I couldn't see very well because we were going too fast, but it seemed to be bending down and it seemed to have antlers and—okay that's probably not human.

We slowed down and stopped just a few seconds in the forest. I hop off and see the dirt bike parked on a tree. Before stepping on it, I ask, "Okay, what's the plan?"

They both share a quick, similar look before Theo saying, "I may have already wandered a little bit and saw something awesome. Just follow the leader."

I wear my helmet and hop in the extra dirt bike. As soon as I do, they both start driving away and I get panicky and try to follow. Geez.

It was still bright out, but I suggested that we go early and leave before the sunset since I have plans later. It was still afternoon, but the trees were ginormous that it mostly covered the sun making it kind of dark.

It was also hard to maneuver since this is only my third time to ride a dirt bike besides the lessons. The first time, I did it to impress Jessica but almost accidentally died. The second time… let's just say it also didn't go well.

There were more and more trees each minute than before, and I try to avoid them. It's like the game Into the Dead but that dark phase with the trees.

Ack! A tree branch scratched my leg. But I didn't want to lose track of them, so I ignored it for now. Screw you, nature. Not really, people are already screwing you. Not literally. I mean like—ugh.

Theo and Cyrus seemed to be very slicked and skilled in avoiding them, though. They're both closer to each other than either with me. I figure they both already dirt bike a lot. I mean, they had these for more than a year now, but it took months of persuasion for them to teach me.

The small pressure of me trying not get myself killed reminds me of a similar time when I was young. Whenever things would get too suffocating at my house, I would go around Winterville without a word to anyone. Then at the end of the day when I'd go home, I'd get scolded because I never thought about the consequences. Heh, I never really learned back then. Same goes today.

There was this one specific time where I was seriously upset and was out for a long time. I think I've circled the entire town that day trying to find random ways to distract my sad thoughts. It went as far that I eventually found the forest all by myself. Obviously, 10-year-old Rhys was curious to see what was in this forest, so I went in. And it was dark.

Like almost all children, I had this some sort of masked confidence back then, so I thought I was brave enough to go here all alone as the sun was setting. That was a dumb idea. And I backed down not even 5 minutes going in. But... I got lost. Most of the time I spent being lost was probably me walking in circles forcing myself not to cry. And I got so damn tired which made me rest multiple times which even took longer for me to go back. I ended up going home at nighttime and everyone was screaming at me which made me more upset, so I fully locked myself up in my room for 2 days straight. It was a fun time.

I don't really remember everything, but I've never been here ever since.

It's hilarious now, though, because I'm also doing the same exact thing right now. But now, I'm much farther through the forest than when I did back then. Rest assured, I'm not backing out anymore. Even though I think we briefly passed by black and yellow strips of tape earlier that would normally say 'Do not enter' or 'Dangerous' or 'You know this is stupid, right? Go away'.

They both stopped. I stopped luckily just the right time before I could bump into them even if they're a bit farther than me. Thank God I stopped thinking "We're here." TJ says, removing his helmet.

Before following them, I looked at my leg and it wasn't bleeding, thankfully. Though, there was a scratch. I ignored it after I hear some gasps.

I steadied dirt bike on a tree because I was getting impatient. I walked towards them looking out and when I did the same, I lost my words.

Holy crap. We're currently standing on a cliff and I could see the view of most of Winterville.

I could see my house from here at the left side. I think Chai Café was on the far right, as well. W.H.A.T (my school) is on the exact, clear opposite side of us and on the background, I could also have a clearer outlook of the mountains which is north of here. It's windier up here but it felt soothing. My jaw dropped realizing how cool it was. I'm leaving town and just now realized about this?

I notice Theo and Cyrus screaming in joy like high school dorks in movies, causing some crows to fly away. For a moment, I felt embarrassed for them until it hit me that we're alone right now. And that we've been alone since the forest. I can let loose. I screamed with them, too, with my entire heart. It was a great feeling.

I guess that scream also marks as my triumph for making it this far ever since I was 10.

An idea popped up in my head that this scenery can suffice for my art project. I went back to my bike and grabbed my sketchpad. I know that I need to draw this either way. I go back to the view and my excitement made me almost tripped. I think I stepped on a rock couple feet away from the cliff. I luckily grabbed a steady branch fast enough.

Think my heart just stopped permanently.

Because if I didn't grab that branch, I would've been falling to my death right now.