The Stranger in the forest By Ana Cioringa
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It was a bright cold Autumnal morning as bare trees waved their empty branches to the sky. Thin, white clouds were spread from place to place on the pale-blue sky. I stepped on the crunchy leaves as the wind was blowing in the back of my head, freezing it but pushing me forward. My knees were trembling, but not because of the cold surrounding me, as I heavily walked towards the dense forest. As I was inhaling, the air was freezing my lungs and chest cavity. I was getting closer and closer to the forest path that led deep inside its darkness. I started to feel a little scared and I thought to myself ‘’I can’t believe I’m doing this just for the sake of a stupid bet!’’
Staccato images of my friends laughing and jeering me if I failed to attempt this dare ran through my head. When I reached the forest path my face and ears were numb, frozen. I jumped over the barbed wire fence. The light faded as branches hooked above me forming a shelter from the wind. A skinny twig tangled around my ankle and dragged me back. I threw my arms on the ground to avoid falling even worse. I waited for a few moments until the shock was gone.
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When I lifted my head, with the corner of my eye I saw something moving behind a tree, a dark shadow. I tripped again and this time I hit the ground. I felt my stomach empty and I started again to shake. Instinctively, I said trembling “Who’s there?” although I didn’t expect an answer. The only answer I got was the croak of a crow that flew right past my head, making my hair move uncontrollably. I finally gained the courage to get up again with my legs wobbling. The silhouette behind the tree entered again in my sight. It seemed to be a person, a man, wearing a black hoodie and his head covered by the hood. I couldn’t see his face but I knew he was looking at me. Tears busted from my eyes and my breath was getting heavier.
When he started to walk slowly towards me I stepped back a few steps away from him. As soon as I noticed that he was holding what seemed to be a knife my legs ran like never faster. I could hear his heavy steps chasing me between the trees. I was not fast enough and a strong arm curved around my throat. A cold and sharp blade touched my skin. My legs were the only things I could move, my only weapon. I pushed my feet against the ground and slammed the attacker’s body on a trunk.
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As soon as he released me I ran as fast I could, faster than a few moments ago. Branches were scratching my face and hands while my feet were stepping on flimsy twigs. My head was dizzy and all I could think of was to escape from that forest and never go back.
And there was it: a big gap between the trees, the way out of the forest. When I finally reached it, I looked back, there was nobody behind me, but I kept running up to the main road where my friends were waiting for me. My strength failed me just as I was about to reach them. I collapsed, my sight was blurred and I heard my friends running towards me, calling my name, concerned. I closed my eyes; I needed a moment of peace.
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