As I retraced my steps for the fifteenth time, I let a sigh escape my mouth as I finally accepted my reality: I was lost. And this isn't anything like the movies.
I flashed my flashlight down at the ground, making sure when I sat I wouldn't be met with the stinging fury of fire ants on my butt. After a thorough inspection of the ground underfoot I sat down, fear seeping into my veins.
How did I even let this happen?Why did I try to be cool by hanging out with the popular kids in the first place? I ask myself, I told my mom I’d be back at nine and now its–
I looked at the dark black sky.
Well, probably not nine.
I shiver–it's cold in the woods. I take the coat that I wrapped around my waist and slip it on. I guess you're probably wondering how I got here and you know what–I'm not gonna answer that yet because I'm quite embarrassed about it myself, (and I don't feel like being cliche today)
I'm about to completely give up on ever finding my house when I hear a whimper from the shadows. I jolt up and flash my flashlight in the noise direction.
But I'm only met with silence. Well, besides the chitter chatter of various bugs.
I squeeze the moss beneath me, trying to stop my hands from shaking. It feels like I'm trying to tell a snowman that's melting he's not melting, (weird metaphor, right?)
What was that noise though? I wonder. What if it was a wolf, whimpering because it's hungry?
Another whimper, louder than the first one echoes through the woods.
I practically throw up my green eggs and ham right then and there.
The whimpers come repeatedly. Each one is more high pitched than the last. I try to cover my ears and ignore the noise but can't.
I gulp. There's two things I can do: one, I could stay in my huddled nervous state and wait for the noise to go away or two, I could investigate. The ideas teetered in my head for a while before I mustered up the courage to go investigate. After all, I'd made it this far.
I sit up and creep towards the sound– I run into a small bush. Immediately I heard the creature inside start barking, but they sounded more like terror rather than anger. I lift up the bush and find..
A dog. Not some angry wolf proclaiming dominance over the forest or a fox preying on a tasty snack. Surprised, my eyes widened and I reached out to pet the dog. She layed sideways and watched me curiously.
She's a sweet fellow, with glossy black eyes and patchy gray-blue fur. She doesn't even growl once she sees me, doesn't even try to run away. Her hind legs appear to be crippled, which explains why she didn't get up though I'd like to think she stayed because she trusts me.
Who would leave such a sweet dog in the middle of nowhere? I wonder, anger bubbling in my chest, did they hurt the dog? Did they put the dog here because she was unable to walk?
I shuddered at the thought, realizing people actually do that, but why?
Probably the same reason the popular kids left me here. I thought, my shoulders slumping. Because I can't fit into their standards.
The reality hits me like a freight train, and it shouldn't. I already knew this long ago and this was just another painful reminder.
I look side to side. I can't just leave the dog here to rot like wood. I had to save it. I couldn't give up.
Without a moment to waste I hoisted the dog up on my shoulders. I nearly threw the dog in the air, the dog was shockingly light.
The whole time the dog remained quiet, not even a protest coming from her.
“I'm getting you out of here,” I whispered, “now come on, let's go.”
We journeyed for what felt like hours through streams, dense thrush and thorny brambles when I finally saw something: it was a bright light. I honestly hoped I wasn't seeing things or ascending to the above.
I sent a mini thank you prayer to heaven and burst through the thickets. I was met with a fast food joint, thank god.
“CRUSTYS BURGERS AND FRIES” it read. By this point I was too exhausted to even care about where I was going.
It was a shoebox shaped house with a pointed roof and a green and white theme. Some of the paint was chipping at the edges, revealing the goldish brown color of old wood underneath. They had a rug that said, “welcome.” and the building smelled rather of waffles than burgers.
When I was in the fast food joint, the lady at the counter's brown eyes widened in shock.
“Honey!” she said, “you look like you got hit by a woodland tornado is everything alright?”
Then the manager realized the dog, “hey! No dogs allowed in the restaurant, for goodness sake did you read the sign?” he shouted.
I wanted to disappear then and there. No one has ever called me out like that. I felt the panic attack creeping up on me just like a snake slowly circling around one's throat. Despite how irrational it sounded it felt real and knowing it was irrational made it worse.
The lady raised her brow, “So are you going to move or not?”
“Y-yes I'm sorry ma’am. I just need-need your–,”
Stop trembling…I thought, just finish your sentence. Compared to what's happened to you in the past four hours this is extremely small.
I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders. It felt like all those expensive therapy lessons mom paid for finally taught me something.
Emphasize on the word kinda.
“I need your help,'' I started, " I got lost in the woods when I was hanging out with my friends. I wasn't able to get home, so..I went here.”
“What about the mutt?” the lady said, pushing up her classes indignantly.
“Th-the dog was something I found on the way.” I finished, nearly turning to jello when I finished my sentence.
For a second the lady was quiet, then she spoke, “MARK!”
“What is it, Prisha?” Said someone from inside the kitchen, “I'm washing dishes!”
“We have a child and her dog who need help. Can you please assist them? I'm not good with kids and stuff.”
Within the next three hours many, many things happened.
For starters we called my mom and gave her the burger place's address. When my mom arrived we hugged for a good 5 minutes straight, some tears and smiles creeping their way through that time. Then came the backlash.
“You are never allowed to leave the house!” she said, looking me in the eyes. Frankly, I agreed with her. After this eventful night I never wanted to see the woods again.
“Thank you so much for calling me.” my mom said, “I was almost going to call the police.”
“No problem,” Mark said. He ruffled through his curly black hair, “it's kind of my job besides, well, washing dishes.”
“MARK!” yelled the woman whose name was Prisha, “You better get back to scrubbing!”
Mark chuckled a little, “well you better be on your way. Have a good night!”
The second thing that happened was dropping the dog off at the shelter. It was sad saying goodbye to such a sweetie but I knew she was in the right hands.
“Goodbye friend.” I whispered, kissing her on the forehead, “I'll miss you.”
The dog gave me a slobbery goodbye kiss. Then my mom plucked her out of the car. I watched them waddle into the shelter–and disappear behind closed doors.
The last thing I recall from that night was listening to the late night radio with my mom and slowly drifting off to sleep, reconciling all that happened tonight.
I conquered my fears. Learned how strong I was inside and mostly..learned how to channel my inner courage.
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