1 Cabin by the Woods

I stepped out the door and tried my best to shut it as quietly as possible. The warm summer air felt so refreshing as it swept over my shoulders.

After a few steps forward, I turned and took a quick look at the log cabin I had lived in my entire life. The wood was faded from years of sun and rain. The windows needed cleaning and the little potted plant that sat in the windowsill looked a little droopy. A faded welcome mat decorated with stains sat under my feet. It said welcome, but there were never any visitors to welcome. It was only the three of us. So many times I had call this place home, but it had never felt like it. The air always felt thin and dry.

My parents had passed long ago, and I was left in the cold hands of my Auntie Alana and my Uncle Jess. Destined to rot in this place until I found a job or a husband. Auntie doubted that would happened. She deemed me lazy and un attractive. A chill swept over me and I tucked a lock of long, thick brown hair behind my ear.

To tell the truth, I was nice looking. I looked in the mirror in my cramped room many times during the day and found nothing wrong with my face or figure. Auntie just had to shame me in some way, even if the shame sat on a pile of lies. I had but one paranormal feature: my eyes. My eyes were dark purple. Violet, to be exact.

Neither Auntie or Uncle ever physically hurt me, but there were many times where I was forced to shove a pillow in my face or listen to Auntie and Uncle's screams and barking. Hopefully, today would be nothing but peaceful.

Auntie and Uncle had no clue I was sneaking out. Although I had snuck out many times before, every time felt like the first time. Enough thinking. I took walks like this to clear my mind and enjoy the nature within the woods near Auntie and Uncle's cabin. After a few minutes of struggling to clear my mind, I finally set off into the woods.

When I first walked away from that cabin in the woods, I had no idea I might never see the dirty windows, faded wood, or stained welcome mat ever again.