Chapter One

     The soft drizzle of rain caressed my neck. I should have put my hood up two and a half miles ago, and now the moisture was sticking to my hair; as if the humidity didn't ruin my now wet curls already. The ground was soft, and I could feel the earth bend under my weight. The wind was picking up again, blowing the musty, pungent, and yet still beautiful scent of the forest my way. The wind caught a stray curl and whipped it in front of my face again. I raised my cold fingers once more to my face and tucked my hair back behind my red ears.
     The wind had been playing peek-a-boo with my cheeks; causing them to become an awkward rosy color. It seems that my skin had been so white and pasty the last few months that I forgot what a blushed face looked like. I decided I should put my hood on now; for whatever it was worth, as I was already wet. I didn't want to get too cold before I reached my destination, wherever that may be. I lifted my head up and took in the expanse of trees around me. It had been awhile since I had looked at anything but my own to feet; struggling to put one in front of the other.
     It's a good thing I looked up when I did, because the winding trail that I had been following for hours was about to split in two. To the left I could hear the cars driving along an asphalt road. I shook my head. There was no way that I was going back to civilization just yet. But, the path itself looked more inviting than the one to my right. On my left, the high afternoon sun danced through the breaks in the tree canopy. On the other hand, the path to my right was dark and bleak, and vaguely lifeless. Still, the possibility of having contact with any life besides the friendly animal creatures that I had become  so familiar with shot down any thought of taking that left trail. I quickened my pace and dashed to the right, without looking back.
     I was startled by a low growling sound. Sheepishly, I realized that it was my stomach. I hadn't eaten since yesterday evening. It seemed so long ago now... I kept walking, trying to ignore the intense hunger pains.
     I started to become aware of my injuries; surely a broken arm. I tried to remember how I got it. Bad idea; the only thing I could remember was his face, a face that I now found so repulsive and ugly that I felt nauseous. I quickly pushed the image out of my mind. I felt dizzy. I found a fallen tree, perfect for a make-shift bench.
     Then it happened, there was too much pain. The thoughts of him didn't help either. The familiar burning in my throat, the almost seizure-like lunge forward. Vomit was spread across the forest floor; across Mother Nature’s beautiful forest floor. It came within inches of my backpack, filled with enough supplies, money, and fresh clothes to last at least a week or two. I pulled my bag closer, and contemplated eating an energy bar. I didn't. I didn't want to throw that up, too.
     Suddenly realizing the stench of bile sneaking its way into my nostrils, I slung my pack onto my back; just where a backpack should be. That was what it was named for anyway.
     I resumed my self-evaluation. I had a broken arm without a doubt, but what else? I placed my free hand onto my chest. Surely the pain I felt was partly due to something else besides an empty stomach. I pressed harder on my chest. Ouch! Yes, defiantly some broken ribs.

Part Two Posted!
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