Freaky Forest

• Dustin Inslay, Grade 12
• Short Story
• 2015

The icy water enclosed my body stunning me for a few seconds, breaking the surface I gasped for air while swimming for the rocky bank that was surrounded by the dark rain forest. I wish I had just listened to mum or things would be different.
We had only been here for a few hours, we had set up our camp right next to a paved footpath that twisted and turned through the dense forest to a waterfall. I had been really desperate to see it. I still remember mums words “Don’t stray from the footpath and don’t get to close to the edge”, “Yes mum, whatever you say” I had yelled back just before disappearing down the path with my camera. I snapped shots of the forest as I sprinted through the undergrowth. When I had finally reached the Waterfall the sun was setting, It had been just perfect for a photo, I had got some pictures of the drop but it wasn't the right angle, “I won’t go far” I had told myself, I had sat the camera on the ground and climbed over a railing that was on the cliff face, that was the last thing that happened before I had fallen, I had been trying to grab for my camera but my fingers slipped from the railing.
I hauled my body from the pool and looked up the 10 meter cliff face, how stupid of me I thought, as if I would be able to climb up that, my camera lenses flashed the remaining sun rays into my face, “Help, Help!’ I screamed hopping that mum would be able to hear me, but there was no reply. Great I thought, I turned around to study the forest looking for a path or something that would lead back up to the top. Walking over to the edge I found a small trail that disappeared into the glum, I had to be back at the camp in 10 minutes before mum would start getting worried. I jumped, a loud screech echoed into the distance. Panic rose in my chest but I fought it down, “I will be fine, I will get back to mum and the camp” I repeated while carefully stepping into the glum.
I had been walking for 5 minutes before I wave of relief hit me, I looked at the slope in front of me again just to check it was real. I started to run, the forest seemed to be getting brighter, finally I reached the top and the end of the path. A small clearing was lit up by a fire, I looked around it. There was a tent beside a paved footpath and a bumpy 4WD track that disappeared into the darkness. A woman was sitting beside the fire looking down the path. “Mum” I screamed running across the clearing, but she didn't move. I got closer and realized that she was tied up, i felt a thump on my head. BLACKNESS …