The kids scare away story

Have you heard the tales of our forest? No? It's a great old forest shrouded in mysteries, and sorrow. Some people who travel deep inside it are found lying at the roots of the trees, unconscious, spouting horrible tales of a shadowy monster lurking between the branches of the oaks. Others never return.

Knowing of something like that existing is truly terrifying, but what can we simple folk do? The church laughs at us, saying that people who went in must have eaten some mushrooms or gone to the state of paranoia while left alone with their thoughts. "Waste of hunters," they say. "It's probably some wild animal," they say, but I know what I saw! The face of death! Bearing the skull of a deer, and the skin of a bear, taking the shape of a human!

"Oh Johan, would you quit your rambling? You poured the mead all over the table again!" a woman entered the room a drunk man was occupying.

"I know what I saw Jasmine! I am not insane!" the man shouted as he slammed down a wooden cup filled to the brim with mead.

"Here you go spilling again." the woman shook her head. "Johan, you need to stop drinking. What kind of an example would you be for our daughter?"

"I know, I know… it's just.."

"Honey, everyone knows the legend of the forest. It's nobody's fault, but yours that you went there on your own, drunk at night." the woman swiped the bottle off the table.

"You are no different than the rest! You don't believe me!" The man shouted, tightly grasping the cup.

Without either of them noticing, small, gentle footsteps made their way to the doorframe.

"Mom, what's happening?" a small girl in a pure white dress, asked curiously.

"It's nothing, go back to your bed. It's late and we have some work to do tomorrow." the woman quickly rushed towards the girl, trying her hardest to cover the unpleasant view of the drunk man.

"Fine, goodnight!" the little girl jumped up and wrapped her arms around the woman's neck, giving her a warm hug, before quickly running away with them spread.

"Do you really want to make her life even harder than it is? The kids are already giving her a hard time, calling her names like "scaredy cat" merely because of how her hair looks." the woman explained, slowly pushing the door shut, peeking to see if the child had gone into her room.

"I know it's not a common color, but she looks like a little angel. I don't understand why they're calling her names." the man grumbled, taking a sip from his cup.

"Kids are kids, they will call you names for whatever reason. Especially, if you stand out from the rest." The woman elucidated as she ripped the cup from Johan's drunken hands.

"Hey! I wasn't finished with that!"

"You are done drinking for tonight. Get a hold of yourself, will you? We have a daughter to feed." she said in a serious matter.

"Fine, but I am only doing it for our little Elizabeth." The man slowly stood from his chair and headed out of the room.

"And take a bath when you wake up, you reek of sweat and alcohol!" she called out as the man passed by her. "I swear, I'm the one who needs mead." she shook her head and gulped up the remainder.

As the last candle in the building ceased watch over the household, the dark was welcomed by its residents. Peace and quiet spread across the small village with the occasional interruption of rustling in the bushes, caused by the animals. Every beginning has its end, however. Hours were shortened to seconds as the residents of Kaihem Village arose from their beds, and greeted the sunlight, farewelling the night.

For some, it was their typical day: getting up, dressing up, eating up, and going outside to tend to their crops or to the forest to collect its bounty.

Elizabeth, being only 12 springs old, was a usual resident of the outskirts of the forest. Life in the village was simple after all. No school, and lack of interaction with her fellow village kids because her different hair, caused her to develop a deep affection toward the forest. The songs of the birds, living on the crowns of the mighty trees filled her with joy. Things like that could be simplicity for one, but a bliss for another. Listening to birds wasn't the only thing she did, but it was surely one of her favorites. It helped her forget all the bad she might have experienced the other day, or even weeks ago. When she isn't sitting on the overgrown roots of the trees, losing herself in the melodies of the small feathery creatures, she would often go a little bit deeper in search of some mushrooms and occasionally, berries. She often came here with her dad, but that was weeks ago. Now, he is scared to walk anywhere near the forest, and speaks of the monster living deep inside. It peaked her curiosity a little. Is it really as bad as her father and the local legends describe it? After all, a big shadow taking kids away from their parents if they venture too deep inside the forest doesn't really sound friendly, but the animals surely can be. One time a petite baby deer ate berries from her palms, but it ran away quickly after something snapped in the bushes. "Ah the memories," she thought. The time she spends in the wilderness is surely enjoyable, but short lived. Staying too long would worry her kindhearted mother. The rule her mother gave her was simple, "as soon as the sky bleeds orange, make your way back, or no dinner." What really worried her was the "no dinner" part. Elizabeth's mom always left a slice of apple pie for dinner, which was renowned around the village as the "small piece of the forest".

This day wasn't any different from the others. As soon the sky turned orange, Elizabeth slowly, but steadily, made her way through bushes and trees, and headed towards the village. This day was supposed to be just like the others, but it wasn't. Something was off, a commotion inside the village arose. With all of the racket coming from the head of the village's home. Curious about what has happened, she slipped her way around the adults standing nearby, and with a little bit of effort, she soon found herself in front of all the ruckus. It was her father, holding a bottle of Mr. Ben wine, fighting with the head of the village.

"You know I am right, don't you!?" her father screamed, pointing his finger at the old man, William.

"Johan, do we really need to discuss that right now? You are just causing needless commotion." The old man shook his head.

"I want you to take action!" Johan screeched.

"Against what? An old fairy tale we tell our children to keep them away from the forest?" The village's head responded, calmly.

"No, against the monster that lives there!"

"Johan, the alcohol is really eating away at your mind. You should-" Before he could finish his statement, Elizabeth's father jumped on the old man, and started tarnishing his clothing with his tight grip.

"I am not insane, I know what I saw!"

"Calm down and look behind you! Your daughter is watching all of this. How are you going to explain that to her?" The elder responded, trying to keep himself in check.

"Whatever, but this isn't the end William! When this thing comes and eats us alive, I will stand, and scream that I was right!" after shouting these words, he let go of the old man. Still mumbling angry remarks under his breath, he pushed through the crowd of people.

"Sorry you had to see that, Beth." The old man sighed.

"It's fine, Mr. Carl. I will be heading home. It's getting late and I don't want mom to be upset." The little girl turned around slowly, and went her way.

"Poor kid." The man sadly, and silently watched the girl walk away.

She tried to not think about it, but in reality, she couldn't get it out of her head. The fact that her dad might get himself in trouble over his behavior, constantly ranting to others about the monster from the tales, lurking between the branches of the trees.

She had to put an end to this. She needed to prove that her dad isn't some insane lunatic. Maybe, if she shows them all, maybe, if they believe her, perhaps everything will go back to the way it was before her father's accident. With her head clouded with thoughts, she didn't notice that she was already standing in front of her house. The arguing and screaming had already begun. She didn't even have to open the door to hear their yelling. She didn't want to hear them anymore, her hand hesitated to open the door. Unable to bear the fact that she would have to spend another night alone in her room, she ran from her doorstep to the direction of the forest. She will prove to everyone here and now. She will fix everything today. She doesn't want to be alone anymore.

The sky soon went its from its warm, saturated colors, to the darker, colder ones of the young night, but that was fine. She didn't have to see where she was going when she entered the forest. All she needs to do is to go deeper, find the one the story speaks about, and bring him back to show everyone that he is real. However, her self appointed task was greater than herself, and in a matter of seconds after entering the forest, fear revealed itself inside her mind. The constant movement of the branches, the deformed faces suddenly appearing on the trees surrounded by darkness, frightened her. She was all alone in this forest. Yet, she wants to believe that someone really resides here. Someone who could help her, someone who could show her light. Scared for her life, she kept running until she tripped over something she couldn't see in the dark. She tried, but the efforts were worthless. The pain in her leg didn't want to go away, or let her stand up. All alone in this old, big forest, cold and hurt with no remaining hope of coming back, she curled up and started to sob, but soon, the gentle sobbing turned into a loud cry for help.

She didn't want to be alone anymore. She just wanted a friend. Someone who will help her, someone who will get her back home.

And that's how her wish was granted that night.

When amongst all of the shadows, a tall figure came out, and extended its hand to the small girl.