Twilight Forest

The deception of security while walking through the Twilight Forest.

Walking through a twilight forest, trying to find my way home. The darkness has descended quicker than I expected, my compass gone and my map tattered. I am lost. The cold air rushes by me, the shadows of this forest play games with my mind. I search for the brightest star in the sky … there are no stars in this sky tonight.

No moon, no hope of celestial aide anywhere.

Branches crack behind me.

Leaves rustle beside me.

Wolves howl in the distance.

How did I let myself get to this point, so far deep in this wood that I know not a way out of it, that I am now trapped with no hope?

I feel my way, knowing that it will take me away.

Any place is better than this place.

A light in the distance glimmers and disappears. My hope is rekindled. I look again and see it flicker once more �" like a candle that is about to go out. Making my way as quickly as possible, I go towards the dancing flame, the only shred of hope in this desolate place. Full speed ahead, I run, not caring where I go, what I leave behind. This light must be the answer to my prayers. I reach it, the beautiful illumination that makes me feel safe.

Howling in the distance starts to grow closer. I do not care at this point, as long as I can hold onto the light I am fine.

The conspiracy is underway.

The wind yells at me, blowing out the candle flame; the air betrays me, frigidly biting my face, waking me up. I hear the branches snap behind me. I stand still. I would rather go with dignity than run with fear in my heart. I turn to face my predator, ready to seal the deal. There stands a man, a perfect specimen of God’s creation, and instantly I hear his heart beat in time with mine. He hands me a rose, vibrant and red.

“Do you love me?” he asks.

I look at him, smell the rose, and think, I have found another person. I am safe, I will be okay.

“Yes,” I reply to him.

“Do you fear me?” he whispers as he pulls me closer to his chest, making me feel secure and safe.

“No, I do not fear you,” I replied.

He looks me in the eyes and smiles. It is the last thing I see before the knife plunges forth to stop synchronize beating between us. Coldness descends upon me quickly, the wind whips around me faster, and I can feel the life fleeing from me. I look deep into his eyes, stare into the eyes of my murderer, and feel ok for he is so beautiful. I can feel my essence weakening; breath getting shorter now, my grip on this world is fleeing. In those final seconds, I fell in love with him, hated him, and couldn’t imagine my life without him. But it is ok, because I died by beauty and perfection in a wild forest, in a Twilight Forest.

[This is an original work by Lewis Tedesco. All materials are copyright protected. Materials, in part or in whole, shall not be replicated without first the consent of the original author.]