The Forest
The Clock struck 12 AM as Jeetu decided that his work for today was over
He d never really waited till this late earlier.
As he walks up to the road, he observes the absence of available transport. It seemed to him that he would have to wait till sunrise until the lonely road in front of him would buzz with traffic. He started walking.
“Maybe it isn’t a long journey after all? I could walk along the road and get lucky.”
That was all he had to say to himself.
The journey turned out to be a long and winding one. He reached an area where the road ran through a forest and immediately remarked in confusion,
” I don’t remember seeing a forest while traveling. Where have I come? “
The strange surroundings suddenly begin to take a toll upon his mind and body.
A rustling of leaves. A quiet blowing wind.
There was little or no light, owing to a moonless night. The only ongoing series of lights was a series of old street lights, which were starting to flicker slightly.
Or was it his imagination that the lights flickered?
He began walking again, seeing where the road would lead out. It seemed that the forest was a living entity and an evil one.
Coming towards him. Ready to pounce.
An unseen, hidden figure seemed to follow him. He had to escape from it at all costs. The panic was getting to him.
He began to walk faster.
All he had with him was his phone and a water bottle, now almost empty. So he began muttering prayers, grievances, curses upon his fate.
Panic was getting to him. Exhaustion wasn’t behind.
It seemed to him that this “Figure” was still following him. So he walked faster. At a point, exhaustion struck, and he started to tire.
Slower and slower. Until he completely stopped.
Mental exhaustion began to fit in.
Physical exhaustion had already fit in.
He sat on some dried leaves.
Cursing. Muttering. Praying.
It seemed to him that a figure was approaching him.
The street lights still flickered.
Perhaps it was just his imagination that they went out.
But he saw a bright light coming toward him.
