26 August 2012
1. The Forest
I quickly looked over my shoulder. I could still see the dark figures behind me. I looked forwards again and started running harder. Faster. The moon shone through the gaps of the trees. Lighting up a path in front of me. I followed it until I came to a cliff. The black waves crashed against the rocks. I heard the voices behind me. I had no choice. No choice but to jump. I could feel the water knotting my hair. The saltiness filling up in my throat. I pushed up, off a rock and reached the surface of the water. I took a loud gasp. I swam over to the shore and lay my back against the cold, damp sand. I closed my eyes. I then felt a warm hand on my cheek. "Can you hear me?" a rough voice asked. I nodded faintly unable to make a sound "Good, now I'm gonna sit you up against the wall." The voice picked me up and I felt hardness against my back. "What's your name?" the voice asked "Natalie." I coughed. "Well, Natalie, I'm Tyler," he paused for a moment and stroked my hair "What were you thinking jumping off that cliff?" "I had to, okay?" I snapped pushing his hand away "What else could I have done? Hmm? And besides its what I do." He looked startled by my answer "What do you mean 'it's what I do'?" "I'm not who you think I am." I looked down at my at my soaking jeans "Your names…your names not Natalie?" "No it is. I'm not your average person. The only reason I got away from those people chasing me is cos…," I thought hard about how to explain "Is because of who I am." "Who are you then?" "I can't say." "Yes you can. Tell me." Tyler edged his face closer to mine so they were almost touching "First of all, I work alone," as soon as I said this he moved away "And I really can't tell you, sorry." "Fine." Tyler said trying not to sound hurt. He walked off. His shoes squelching in the sand. I walked in the other direction. I walked along the road until I saw a small path off to the right. I strolled down there and came into the darkness of a forest. I started running again and threw myself in the air. I grabbed onto a branch and swung myself round. I let go and landed on a wooden floor, which was hidden by the trees. "Ah! Home sweet home." I murmured to myself. I opened the front door of my tree house and sat down the floor. I grabbed a blanket, a pillow and lay down to sleep. I jumped up by the sound of a twig snapping. I looked out the window and saw a figure approaching. "Natalie?" someone whispered. "Tyler?" I hissed "Oh, Natalie. Thank god your here. I couldn't stop think…" "Are you crazy?" I interrupted jumping down from the tree and placing a finger on his lips "Do you know how dangerous it is for you to be here?" "Um, relax Nat it's just the forest." "Don't you ever call me 'Nat'," I grabbed his arm and pulled him under the tree house "This is not just a forest. There are things going on you can't even imagine. You are gonna die if you don't get out of here!" Tyler just laughed. "You think this is funny?" I asked "Would you laugh if I told there was a someone behind you that's gonna kill you if you don't move?" "No!" Tyler sprang behind me shivering. I laughed. I grabbed him by the collar and pushed him against the tree. "Didn't think so." I said "Wha– what are yo– you doing?" Tyler stuttered "Shut up," I snapped "Now listen. You have risked your life by following me. And mine. So you better do what I say when I say. Got that?" He nodded nervously "Sure thing Nat, uh, I mean… Natalie." "Good, now follow closely behind. Or you will die." Tyler followed quietly. I led him to the edge of the forest. "Go straight on till you find yourself on a road. You'll know where to go from there." I explained "Ok. When will I see you again?" Tyler asked. "Never. Cos do me a favour of coming no where near these woods again. Deal?" "Fine." Tyler grumbled walking up the path. I turned round and headed back home.
The sun shone through my window lighting up my one roomed tree house. I walked out onto the oak deck that surrounded it. I flicked my strawberry-blonde hair behind my shoulder. I suddenly heard a high-pitched scream.
The Mysterious Runaway #1 • Opuss № I