Into the forest

It was a night like any other, yet there was that unusual stirring inside me. That premonition, if you will, which told me that it wasn’t going to be the same. Days were shorter then, and because of the winter weather, it was a period I liked walking around streets that seemed empty on my way home. It was 11, and I had completed my work and was much eager to go home and rest. Fridays were when most people were out, filled with joy and making plans to spend the evening at a disco or something like that. As I started walking, thoughts of weekend activities filled my mind. The dark streets, adorned with fallen leaves, brought me a sense of comfort. Only the moon and the streetlights accompanied me, guiding my way. July, the month which I used to imagine as a caterpillar, was sure to bloom into a beautiful butterfly by September. I liked the feeling that we are all born to do great things and leave a mark on this earth for the future.

After some time, I started seeing the beautiful shapes that the clouds formed in the sky, imagining figures in the clouds. Since the park that I normally crossed was closed, I opted to use a shortcut lined with trees. The walk wasn’t advisable in the area alone at night, but I took it as an opportunity to face my fears that cloudy night. A cold breeze stroked my face in such a subtle fashion; it felt much like a freezing recognition from the other side, a kiss. It was a feeling that I had never felt before, and it was strange, but it was exhilarating. The further I walked into the forest, the darker the night became. And after a couple of minutes, a heavy mist surrounded my feet. The atmosphere was spooky. Shockingly, the clouds disappeared from the sky and revealed a huge, enormous moon in the sky. It felt like it was following me, enjoying my existence. I was really shocked by the view. The more I looked at the moon, the less I wanted to leave the woodland. However I had a feeling inside me that I need to hurry; this appears to warn me that if I took too much time then freezing temperatures will prevail.

All trees in the woodland seem to be friendly; they look like they are pleased to have some visitor. I saw different flowers flowering under their trunks as if they were desperately looking for a person to see their beauty and join with them in their habitat. Their appearance was strange because spring had not come, but these flowers showed excellent view by their colors and fabulous fragrance. They were telling me to watch them throughout my life. My mind, however, was still telling me to keep going. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my cell phone. It displayed neither signal nor even show the time. I supposed that it would be about 11:30. I sat on the floor, tired by the view in front of me while watching the whole panorama, trying to imagine a life deep inside the forest without the pressure of routines and schedules. My eyes became so tired, my body weak, and my legs numb.

Just then, from one of the trees came a soft voice, like a whisper: “Close your eyes and let me wrap you up tight with my leaves.” I tried to wake up and shake myself from my sleep, for I felt that I was at home sleeping and this was just a dream. In the ensuing hours, many pictures began to flow through my mind—images of childhood times playing hide and seek, my first kiss, and receiving a puppy on my birthday. Then, before my eyes, was this lady whom I had never seen. She was beautiful, with an angelic face, in flowing black dress attire and some weird black hat, her face painted white. She smiled, and in the velvet voice, as unknown yet so enchanting to me, she called me by my name. She went on and on, leading up gradually to the crucial question: “Are you happy here? Would you like to live with me for the rest of your life?” Doubt lurked through my mind, but somehow I still believed that I was stuck in a dream, so I answered, still very hesitant, “yes.” Well, the woman’s name was Lucile. She brought out a knife, pointed it toward my heart, and said that if I wanted to really stay with her, then I had to stab myself.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because that is the only way to be with me,” she replied.

“No, there must be another choice,” I persisted.

“Foolish boy, don’t you want to forget your problems?” she hissed.

“No, I want to stay here, but let’s find a different way,” I said back.

In a second, the merry woman became a demon. Her outfit became red, and her weird hat developed horns. I had just overcome a feeling of fear, after which I turned and began to run home as fast as my legs could take me. But the forest seemed endless. Finally, I met a lonely tree that glowed white like the moon, standing in the middle of this nightmare as light from hope. I stretched my hand to touch the tree. And then I woke up. My horror dawned upon me; my feet had dark branches, like a chain, ready to hold me back. My body was paralyzed; standing was impossible, yet I fought all my strength to break free from the grip of the forest.

I found my parents absent in the house on my return. I locked all the doors and windows. The sleep eluded me through the night as I waited for them to return and eagerly wanted to tell them about the ghastly experience I had in the woods.

The next day, my parents came home from a party and asked me why I was awake. Cautiously, I explained everything that had happened. At first, they didn’t believe me but later understood and opened up on the secrets of the forest, especially during the night.

Well, finally, one couldn’t resist that magical forest, so much alike a dream come true. However, deep inside, I felt that Lucile may need someone else to talk to, not to be too lonely in her wonderful but somewhat dreary kingdom. But the cost of this joy is too high and always near, though invisible to the eyes that don’t see.