I picked up one of the few woods before turning around to say something to Alec. I found his back turned to me as he continued getting more woods. I kept silent for a while before going back to get more.
Again after a minute I looked back and sighed, "Alec?" I finally called him.
He hummed in response but kept his back turned to me as he continued doing his work.
"Thanks." I said going towards him. Thanks for taking me away from there. Thanks for bringing me out here in peace where I could get some fresh air. Where I could think straight.
I could see his muscles tense as he turned around slowly and passed me a smile, "I had my reasons."
I smiled back at him before nodding and going back to my place. He hasn't been talking much. For all I can say he had been silent since he took me away from there. But I knew that he genuinely wanted to help me.
I couldn't help but look up and gaze in awe at the stars. You don't see these many stars in the cities. And seeing these many right now made me feel so close to them. I wanted to be there in between them. Looking pretty. So that whenever someone tilted their head up to look at us they were filled with happiness, warmth. They felt good. And I want to be someone who makes people feel good about themselves. Just like these stars.
I didn't even hear footsteps approach me until I heard his voice from beside me, "It's beautiful, isn't it?"
I looked at Alec beside me and found him staring at the sky with a smile on his face. I went back to gazing up at the sky as I agreed with him.
Indeed it was.
We both were quiet. No one even saying a word. Just side by side. Gazing at the stars. Together.
I could see him slowly turning his head towards me and staring at me. I cleared my throat as I said, "The stars are up in the sky."
I heard him chuckle as he said, "I know. But I find them more beautiful while seeing them through your eyes."
I felt my heart leap as I heard him say that. But I kept my gaze stable up on the stars as I thought of what to say to that. I didn't know. I was speechless.
"I-I'll check out there if I can find more of these." I said referring to the woods and went in another direction.
He didn't come behind me or followed me as I went away from him.
Did I feel bad for leaving him back there alone? Yes, I did. But I knew for a fact that if I stayed there I would have led him on. And that is the last thing I want to do to him. I don't want to hurt him.
I kept walking and went wherever my legs took me. I don't know for how long I walked. I didn't realize how far I came as I continued walking away in another direction.
Finally I stopped and turned the torch in my hand in different directions as I tried to figure my way.
I was far away from where the tents were set up because I couldn't hear anything. Only crickets chirping around me.
I turned off the torch in my hand. It was pitch black. I couldn't see anything. Dang it, I think I came too far away into the forest. I turned back and switched my torch back on as I tried to trace my way back.
I don't want to become some animal's meal today. Heck what am I talking about? I don't want to become some animal's meal ever.
I tried to walk back the way I came. I don't know if I was going in right direction or not. I stopped when I saw two ways...one going to the left and the other one to the right.
Was it even there the first time?
I shined the torch upon both the ways. Now, under normal circumstances one would choose the way which seemed less scarier. But what should one choose when both of them seem the same? Dark. Scary.
I looked up at the sky and muttered a prayer. What have I gotten myself into? Why do I always end up in problems when I don't want to?
I looked back at the two paths waiting for me to take them. None of them seemed tempted enough to invite me in.
The most mature thing to do right now was to count till twenty. The path which lands with the number twenty in the end will be the one I'll take.
Don't doubt my maturity level! I am alone in the middle of a forest. What do you expect?
I started from the left one, "1..2..3...4.......20."
I stood there pointing at the right path. I took a deep breath (internally freaking). Well, here goes nothing.
I stepped in the direction of right path and continued walking on it.
°°°°
Take a piece of advice from me. No matter how mature you think you are. Don't decide onto your fate by counting to twenty. Believe me. It will help you.
"I hate it. I hate it. I hate it!" I yelled loudly.
I am lost. I have finally accepted it. I am in the middle of the forest with not a single soul in sight.
How much time has passed? Even I don't know. One hour? Two hour?
And no one came to find me yet. Or they haven't found me. I don't know! I don't want to die here in the middle of nowhere!
I heard sounds from far away. I couldn't quite decipher them. But it was there. Sounds of shuffling? Leaves rattling? An animal?
I took deep shaky breaths as I let the woods in my hands hit the ground. I picked two of them in defense. One in each hand.
Don't know if they can help me fight an animal. But they will be of some help. Some help!
I turned off my torch incase the animals were attracted towards it. The rattling became more and more noisy as it came closer.
I could hear my heart pounding loud enough as I took a few steps back ready to attack and then run.
I know I won't be fast enough. But I'll give it my best shot. I will fight until I can.
I wondered what everyone was doing? Did they figure it out yet that I was missing? Did Alec notice? Or was I still taking some fresh air for them?
Ughhhh. I didn't even get to have my first kiss!
I heard the rattling sound more closer to me now. Someone was moving closer to me. To where I was. I took in a deep breath before holding it tight.
I took my position as I held the woods in my hands higher up. I went and hid behind a tree and waited for the animal to come. From what I could hear he's approaching this side. I can hit him hard before running off.
I bit my lip as I heard it getting closer and almost next to the tree. But there wasn't just one of them. No. But two of them.
I cursed under my breath.
Okay Liya, I know you can do it. I am strong enough. No matter how scared I am right now. I can pull this off.
It was at this exact moment I saw a silhouette and without seeing I charged with my full force.
"Aaaaah....I am not dying so soon!" I yelled as I hit it with all my might.
I thought the wood would go down....almost till the ground. But I was surprised when I hit it in mid air. I looked up with wide eyes and noticed I hit the head.
Not just somebody's head,
"Ouch. What the fuck?! You hit me!!"
Nathaniel's head.
He moaned in pain as he sat there with his hands on his head.
I stared at him for a moment. Frozen. Not able to wrap my head around the fact that Nathaniel was sitting in front of me.
It wasn't until I saw a torch light blinding me that I had to cover my eyes and a person coming and standing in front of me. He faced the torch in another direction and now I could see his full face.
Xavier Reed.
He stood there in front of me. His hair a total mess. His eyes looked troubled as he ran his eyes all over my body.
While he did that I stood there doing nothing. I was just glad that they found me. I- I don't even know how to react right now. I knew I was relieved. I knew I wanted to laugh and smile that they finally found me. But nothing came,
I opened my mouth to say something but I was shut quiet the minute Xavier took long strides towards me and embraced me in his arms. He wrapped his arms tightly around me. It was as if he was trying to make sure it was me. My head was laying on his hard torso.
Unsure of what to do I wrapped my arms around him.
He took deep breaths as he kept his hands stable behind my back. Slowly he snuggled his head down so that his face was near my ear. As he spoke I could hear the fear in his voice,
"Don't you dare do that ever again. Do you know how afraid I was? I thought I lost you."
He tightened his arms around me, "I am so glad that I found you. I am so glad. Oh my god....what if something would have happened to you? I can't even think about it."
It was now that I couldn't control my emotions anymore. I cried as I hugged him tighter.
No matter how much I denied. I was afraid. I was scared like nobody.
He rubbed my back-- comforting me as I held onto his tshirt tightly. As I cried I I couldn't help but laugh gratefully,
"I am so glad you found me." I said in between laughters and tears.
He continued comforting me as he repeated, "Everything is fine. I am here now."
___