Forest Fright

• Akib Uddin, Grade 6, Leumeah Public School
• Short Story
• 2016

Excellence Award in the 'Top Secret 2016' competition

CRACK, a branch snaps like a fragile spine a few metres behind me. I treaded back unaware of the dangers that snapped the branch. I scurried against a freezing tree with a spine-chilling feeling. In the shadows of this blood curdling forest lurked beasts unknown to mankind. Under the petrifying canopy of flora I lay helplessly alone and paralysed with fear.
Why did I have to wander away into the hands of this natural hell? Why did I have to be in this world of horrendous pain and hair raising fear? Questions flashed through my scarred mind. With only the clothes on my back and my natural skills I was useless. Survive the night practically without anything was my only one option I can do. I can only do the impossible…
As the Sun sets and the moon rises my fear began to rise as well. Knowing nothing about the nature and being a spoilt brat I was certain this was the end. The darkness wasn`t helping as it eliminates my key sense. My sight was my main way of survival. I must rely on my other senses for survival. I scavenged until midnight and only retrieved three gooseberries. I decided to have mercy on myself and set myself to sleep. Which was indeed a challenge but eventually I found a decent spot and I faded away.
I wake up when the blood orange sun shines in my bedraggled eyes. A do a mammoth yawn and attempt to shake of my tiredness. I glance around me for any sign of danger. I Suck on a berry then eat the skin. Food was scarce so I had to work with what I got. I stood up to start again for a search of food while it was day.
I took a step forward and suddenly my world went upside down. Blood rushed to my confused head. The berries I devoured came right back out along with some vomit. My hair stood on its end maybe because I was upside down or I was so terrified. Out of the bush came a black figure. It held a razor in its pale white hands and had a malicious grin. Every step it took I knew it was a step closer to whole new world of pain. It was a foot away from me and it just stopped. It turned its head and screamed a malicious laugh. Then In a split second it whipped its knife straight at my neck. I waited for immense pain but I felt nothing.
The figure just stood there with a depressed face. It dropped the blade in my hands reach and left while howling with laughter. I instantly grabbed the razor and cut myself loose. I was alive which was great but now staying alive is the problem.