A Different World

I blearily opened my eyes, feeling like I had a crick in my neck from sleeping in the wrong position. I no longer could hear the rain pouring outside, but instead, the sounds of birds chirping, and leaves rustling. I sat up, feeling quite tired and achy, wondering how exactly I slept on the floor of a cave. It was not the comfiest, but I guess it could be worse.

Checking my phone, I saw that I still had seventy-five percent power, but instead of no bars, it said 'no internet detection'. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion, seeing that as a little strange. Gathering up my things, I made sure to not leave anything as I rose to my feet, seeing the sun shining into the entrance of the cave. Since it was full of trees out there, I didn't think that much light would come through, but maybe I was wrong.

As I stepped out of the cave, I was instantly taken back when I saw the lack of trees surrounding the cliff side. My jaw dropped as I realized that nothing looked the same as it did last night. It had been dark, yes, but I'm not that blind as to not notice my surroundings. I drew in a deep breath, holding my phone up as I hoped to score a reception. It was wishful thinking.

"Fuck!" I cursed under my breath, shoving my useless phone back into my pocket.

My stomach was rumbling with hunger, and I then realized it had been a while since I last ate. I fished a granola bar out of my bag, ripping it open. As I started on my trek to somehow find the main road, I munched on the bar, needing to curb the hunger that was growing inside of me. The forest was actually quite beautiful now that I could see it. When it is dark, you have no idea what to expect.

"The road can't be too far." I mumbled, wondering why everything looked so… different.

I had traveled through these woods ever since I was really young, and I thought I knew it by heart. It just seems like after last night, nothing was like I remember. Traveling in the dark can make it hard to recognize familiar surroundings, but this is just ridiculous. It was like the storm had washed everything away and replaced it.

It was honestly a little frightening.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw some movement. Quickly looking over, my eyes widened in surprise as I saw this beautiful doe watching me, her eyes on high alert. I looked lower to see a fawn close to her side, watching me as well. In all my years, I have not once seen a deer. Because of overhunting, the deer trekked deeper into the forest where not even the most skilled of hunters would travel to.

"Beautiful." Was all I could think of, cautiously taking out my phone to take a picture.

The doe's eyes never seemed to leave mine, and it was as if she was telling me that she knew that I was there, and that she was not afraid. It made me smile, putting my phone back. I couldn't wait to tell Derek what I had seen. Deer have always been one of his favorite animals, and I know it always bothered him that he wouldn't be able to see one.

Smiling to myself, I turned away from the majestic creature and continued on my way. What felt like a long time, I walked down the unfamiliar path, wondering when I was going to find something familiar. You would think that I would hear something by now, if anything.

Where am I? Did I go deeper into the forest?

The questions wracked my mind, but I didn't have an answer for them. I checked the time on my phone, and I saw a little over an hour had passed since I saw the deer, and there was just no way this was possible. I must've gone in the wrong direction, or maybe even been going around in circles.

I need to stop and think!

I found a resting spot, deciding it was going to have to work for right now. I thanked myself for remembering to bring water as I opened the water bottle I had stashed in my bag, feeling the cool liquid quenching my parched throat. I didn't drink too much, a little afraid that I was lost, so that meant that I wouldn't have access to any fresh water for a while.

And that was an even scarier thought.

As I sat there on the ground, it made me wonder if I had made some kind of mistake last night. Should I have really let my father's issues get to me, and cause me to run away? I know understandably that I had every right to be pissed at him, but it has led me to be in this sort of predicament that I'm not sure I can get myself out of.

Are they even looking for me?

As I dwelled on that question, I almost instantly perked when I heard the sounds of people talking. It was at a distance, that much was clear, but just the thought of going back home made me jump to my feet and rush towards that direction. My heart was pounding with excitement and adrenaline, and I just knew that everything was going to be okay…

I didn't realize then just how wrong I was exactly.