The Light In The Darkness

Weeks had passed since I had given up on seeing her and her little blue light and made the Hollow my home and I noticed that things had changed?

Not actual things more that I had learned and changed to suit them?

This place I had claimed for my home, had few visitors, it was perfect for me, I could hide away with almost total impunity in the thick canopy of the trees, most of the branches wove together like a network but all of them were brittle and thin, anyone larger than me couldn't easily get anywhere near me in the canopy.

On all but the brightest days my home got little sunlight, it always seemed to be a murky green environment, most people who did venture into this place soon found their mind picking away at their scabs. Most would become nervous and panicked soon after hearing the slightest noise, I had started to use this to my advantage.

I would stalk people through the forest using the canopy for cover, if they had food of any kind, I would find ways to scare them into dropping their goodies as they fled. I waited until they had become agitated and then would make my move making noises in the trees, stalking them until finally their nerves got the better of them.

I often found myself thinking how the things that had made me weak in my world had become so important out here. My small size meant that I could make that hollowed tree a home and move with near total freedom high above the forest floor. Red had taught me well too, her little lessons she had provided to help me avoid danger at the camp had become decisive out here, silence was very useful. I could hide among the trees and the ivy that cloaked many of them, though I had learned to avoid certain types of ivy. In my early days out here in the forests I had given myself huge rashes that itched like crazy all over my body by touching certain types of ivy.

It was at night I came into my own though, I had spent much time exploring my new home, learning how to navigate and negotiate the seamless wall of trees and ferns. I had found watering holes that appeared after the rain and places that went so close to tribes and their camps yet I never seemed to be noticed. This little scared girl had learned to master the art of walking this forest in total darkness, using my lantern on occasion to ward off visitors to my home. Imagine the goliaths of the world being frightened by a mighty 4ft 8, tiny girl with curly ginger hair and a lamp!

At night the forest somehow became magical? It seemed less gloomy somehow, like the moons rays somehow made it feel warmer and welcoming? Many evenings I spent sat on the branches of my Hollow watching the forests, like I was waiting for something? Or someone perhaps? Though most evenings my only company was my lamp or the odd deer, hog or owls that came through my trees. Though many nights I fell asleep in those branches having watched the moon and stars.

The strangest thing was that I had started to see myself differently to how I had before. I didn't see a weak little girl anymore, I felt stronger, I had confidence in myself and largely thanks to the Queen, I didn't feel ashamed of myself anymore, I felt good about myself? She had spent so much time hammering into me about my confidence that I guess it had worked maybe? Such an odd feeling to have, I spent so much time disliking myself, that to be free from that was a strange thing?

I knew one thing though, out here now, nobody could navigate this place like me and I was going to use that to my advantage.