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Vines and tree roots covered the ground I walked over. I had to watch my step, for the rain had soaked the ground and was still drizzling overhead. The trees were a good support, so strong and sturdy. I couldn't help but smile at the smell of rain. Cold yet inviting, and I was glad to rake the invitation. No birds, no animals, and no sounds were around me. Just the occasional rustle of a light breeze through the trees and bushes. Morning light tried to reach through the clouds and leaves, but it was failing.
Suddenly a cup was in my path, a delicate tea cup shadowed in the hollow hole in a large oak tree. I reached for it and started to grab it when I noticed some steam. The wind blew around me, but all I could smell now was an herbal fragrance. Herbal tea was placed in the fragile cup, decorated with soft purples and blues. I gently pulled it out of the tree's comfort to take a sip.
I finished the tea quickly, so the rain couldn't ruin the taste. I decided the cup was worth taking. As I turned to continue on my walk I noticed a small key right behind me. It was made of silver, or at least, it appeared so. I bent down to reach for it and I noticed something was engraved in the center of the heart at the end. It read courage. I didn't understand it. But it was beautiful and well crafted, so I put it in the cup. It just fit so I guessed it was only an inch or so long. These items were odd, but I felt they were made to be cherished.
I continued on my walk, holding my new items close at hand. I flinched at the ray of light suddenly in my eyes. A small clearing was ahead. I didn't recall this being there before, but I also didn't recall hot cups of tea or silver keys being in the forest either. I entered this clearing hesitantly, and I found I could here more than the rustling of leaves. The rain was letting up, but I still heard it hit water. I looked further ahead and I noticed nothing there. Then I looked to my side and noticed a lake. The sun was, once again, hidden behind the stubborn clouds that refused to leave it alone, but the water still seemed to shine. This put a smile on my face again, if I new how to swim I would have. The water seemed to call to me, despite the cold weather. I ran past it the continued on my journey.
A yawn escaped my lips. I had been out all night and I heard an abrupt crack. My eyes had been shut because I was so tired. I felt like I was drifting off, I looked down and saw a chip in the top of my cup. I looked in front of me at the white fence I had started to run into. I bent down to notice the part that had chipped the cup. In the small, wooden gate there was a sharp nail, I assumed it to be what stopped me from tripping on the fence. The nail held up a sign that read, "BEWARE OF LARGE ANIMALS" which I found odd. I had seen warnings for dogs, but the large animal part confused me.
I looked over the fence, it was only about as high as my waist, and then I realized why the sign said large animals. Sleeping in front of me were ten or twelve large snakes in what I assumed to be a pen. I also saw a single tiger in the center of them all. I wanted to scream but I didn't want to wake the beasts. I dropped the cup and started to run back. I looked back at the fence once, and on the gate I saw a heart shaped lock made of silver. The key was there to now, since the cup had broken.
It took me probably ten minutes to get back home. I found out later that a company the worked with dangerous stunts had bought out the other half of our forest. I never went past the entrance of that forest again. I liked some animals, but whatever that company did wasn't very secure and I refused to test their security measures.
 Alatria · Sat Nov 04, 2006 @ 05:58pm · 0 Comments |
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