The Forest.

Dafne Jensen

Growing up i've always liked the solitude and the nature. My mother used to say i am an old soul, and even tho i always found it funny, at times i used to think like that aswell. I always got better attachemets with older people , i loved to listen to their life stories, it was something very nostalgic to me.I used to pretend i was them and teleport my mind in that place and time , and their memories became my short reality. You probably think i sound crazy , and i don't blame you, god at times i scare myself , but this is me, or well it was me.

1 year ago something happened ,something that changed my life forever. The solitude and loneliness weren't my friends anymore, and the longer i waited for answers the longer i got lost in the dark , away from everything and everyone i know.. from everyone that knew me.

My name is Dafne Jensen, i am 20 years old and this is my story.

02.09.2022

Summer came to an end. I am not the biggest fan of it, but i know that i will miss the free time that i had to explore my surroundings. In couple of weeks i will go to college, highschool is over and i couldn't be more happier, i hated that place. My parents can't stop worring and crying , like i am about to go and they will never see me again , when in fact i am just becoming an independent woman, something i always wanted to be.

Since i don't have that much free time left, i wanna make the most out of it. I wanna go on long car rides at night , and visit the forest i always wanted to go to. My summer end will be fantastic , i will promise myself that.

Night time is here , and i am done packing my things for my little adventure. I cannot wait to step out of the house for couple of days , and surround myself with the nature and freedom i so deeply love.

-Dafne, come down , dinner is ready!

*mom calls me from downstairs

-Just a second mom, i will be there.

Couple minutes later i make my way downstairs where the delicious smell of food hits my nose and makes me even more hungry than i was , if that is even possible. Dad doesn't always join us for food , because he works till late at night, but he is here now, and i am happy since i need to talk to the both of them , and i already know , they won't like what they are about to hear.

-So..

*i start talking and both of them are eyeing me

-Tonight i will go out , for 2 days. I will take the car aswell, i will go driving in the city, and make a stop at the forest from the end road, you know i always wanted to go there.

*my mother is looking at me in disbelief

-You are absolutely not going anywhere Dafne , not without company, what if something happens to you?! How are we going to reach you in the middle of nowhere?

*dad spoke and it made me froze for a bit , but this is my last chance , and i will not back down

-Come on , i am not a kid, nothing bad is going to happen. I will be gone for 2 days, i will call frequently , i have food and water , and the car , so you don't have to worry. Mom please say something.

*i look at my mom with pleading eyes hoping she will stick up for me

-I'm sorry Dafne, but you're father is right, it's too dangerous .

-But mom..

-The answer is no Dafne.

*my dad raised his tone , and looked directly at me

-and if i see you trying to sneak out, you can say goodbye to college.

*i stand up with anger and i am ready to go to my room

-Stop treating me like a child, i am an adult and i don't need your permission for anything.

*i can hear my dad standing up

-Dafne , come back here.

It's too late already , i reach my bedroom door and without thinking i slam it shut and collapse on the bed.

Why are they always like this? I never do anything bad, i have amazing grades , i just need some time out. They won't stop me , if i have to jump from the second floor window , i will without hesitation, i am going out tonight.

3 HOURS LATER

It's already 11pm and both my parents are sleeping. I know that what i am about to do will disappoint them but this is my last chance at a bit of freedom.

I check my bag just to make sure i have everything packed , i put my coat on , make a prayer and prepare myself for the big jump. -Yeah i'm jumping out the window. I was going to take the door, but with how my anxiety is right now , i will probably make a sound at the first step .

I have the car keys is my pocket, the bag on my back and i open the window. The distance is quite big, but we have some bushes in front of the house so i hope they will be making the impact less tough.

I take another look down and i jump .

-Ok, ok, my back hurts a bit but that wasn't that bad. I hope the noise of the bushes didn't wake my parents .

I take a step back to look at the house just to make sure all the lights are still off and then i make my way to the car.

I unlock the car and put my things in the back, then i slowly get inside. I say one last prayer , put the key in contact , and off i go . This trip will be amazing, i might come back to screams and fights, but i will make sure this will be worth it.

NARRATOR POINT OF VIEW

With the loud cheerful music sound in the car Dafne is heading to her destination. Hopeful for the time she is about to spend alone with nature she is singing along and is enjoying the ride.

Late at night the roads are filled with lights and almost no cars are seen driving by, she is alone on the lines driving to what it will soon become her nightmare.

DAFNE'S POINT OF VIEW

The road was so clear and the lights made everything even more enjoyable. I am getting close to the forest , and the closer i get the more excited i become.

I rolled down my windows and i let the fresh night air fill the car while music is playing in the background.

10 MINUTES LATER

I see the forest entry and i need to find a safe place to park the car while i am not here. I spot a small corner right in front and i know that will be perfect for me to park. I park slowly and carefully and then i get out of the car ready to take my bag .

After i make sure i got everything i lock the car and make my way to the forest.

There is a big sign that points where the entry is and i make sure i go in the right way, because the last thing i need that will ruin everything is getting lost. I reach the little road that leads inside the forest and i follow it. This is it, i am here, surrounded by trees with the full moon above my head to light my way to the place i will make my 'home' for the next couple of days.

The air and the smell of the trees fills my nose and i am taking my time inhaling the fresh breeze that surrounds me.

Soon i make my way into the deep forest. I am looking for a clean spot to make my sleeping tent and big enough to be able to make a small fire to keep myself warm , hope won't be to hard to find.

After searching for more than 15 minutes, i finally found the perfect place to settle for the next 2 days. Its big, and thankfully there are no trees or any type of greenery , it's a bit strange but i won't question anything, this place is like heavenly placed just for me.

I take the tent out of my bag , and get ready to put it together. I made this tent couple of times before so i already know exactly what to do , and i manage to be done in less than 15 minutes.

I am already tired from the road, so for the night i will just eat a snack and try and sleep.

Tomorrow is a big day waiting for me.