Hard Times

• Ariel Marks, Grade 5
• Short Story
• 2021

My heart pounded in my chest as I bolted through the pitch black jungle. I hurtled over twigs lying on the damp moist earth . I spy tiny little mice scamper with me as I zoom away from the wolf ... My hands quiver . "Keep running you are nearly there" I utter to myself. A small pointy rock apears in front of me . I try to pull back but it is too late I trip . As I go down I see the hunger in the wolfs eyes . It's a total black out.

I wake up one or two days later I find my body is throbbing . My legs are a wreck and my arms are wounded . My cheek is deeply grazed. What happened ?! I sat up slowly everything ached . "Your mother is probably worried sick. Go home" said a deep voice. I turn my head quick but there is nothing to see no one is there . I shudder "Who's there?" I croak . A man steps out of the shadows. A very handsome man . I look into his brown eyes and recognise him !

I am running again . Not from the wolf but from my dad. Yes my dad! He betrayed my mum and I when I was six I am now ten . He sold my mum . He nearly sold me but I hid ... in the jungle. It has been my home ever since. In the jungle it is hard, to live in, to be safe and most of all you have to work hard . I have climbed up a tree father will never reach me . I love it up here it is so safe and quiet . My dad has left now and this is my forever home. It's my place .
The end