The Forest

Halloween night. You are walking back from a Halloween party. Children in costumes meander around the street with their parents, and some occasional annoyed older siblings behind them. You ask someone for the time. They tell you that it is 12:24. Your parents told you to be home by 12:30! You thank them and run off. The only way you can get home in time is if you walk through the forest. “Well I guess I have no other choice,” you mutter under your breath as you walk into the woods. The woods, usually calming, appears very creepy tonight. Continuing your walk, whispering can be heard throughout the trees.

Suddenly, see a girl. Her back is to you and it looks like she's crying. Are you okay?” you ask her. You walk up to her as she turns around. For some reason, she seems to be soaking wet so fancy pink dress looks a little faded. Her curly blonde hair with pink bows on either side of her freckled face.

She looks to be about 7 or 8 years old, “Do you know where I am? I'm lost.” she says, noticeably upset. You are about to reply but you freeze. The young girl's skin is gray and you can sort of see through it.

"A-are you a ghost?” you ask shakily.

The young girl looks at you sadly. “Do you know where I am?” she asks again. “I'm lost.” Before you can reply, the young girl, still dripping with water, disappears.

You shake your head. “I must be seeing things,” you mutter. You shiver, not sure if it is from the cold or the site of the ghost you continue walking. Another figure is ahead. This time it is a man. He looks to be in his late teens or early twenties. He is wearing a Civil War uniform but there is a bloody hole in the chest. You hesitantly walk up to him. “Where are the soldiers?" he asks.”Did we win?” Before you can say anything, he slowly fades away.

You continue your trip through the woods. You are so shivering from the cold. Another Spirit appears. This one is an old man. His red and white striped shirt reminds you of one of those workers in the booths at the fair. At first you didn't notice anything to show how he died, other than the fact he is a ghost. “Why are we out here?” he asks. “What do you want?” you gasp seeing the gap between the old man's head and his shoulders. It was as if his head was floating above his already floating body. You know this time not to reply and then he slowly fades away.

It must be very late now, you think. I'll definitely be late now. You notice a girl walking in the woods. She's wearing a winter coat and holding a cup which probably contains hot chocolate. An odd look for Halloween, you think. She probably just doesn't dress up. You walk up to her and she freezes. A look of confusion mixed with fear appears on his face. “Do you happen to have the time, I think I may be late?” you ask. Her hazel eyes widen in fear and she runs away. Confused, you watch her run. Did my question scare her? You think and look down. Your body has a translucent glow. Your skin is a light shade of blue and you gasp. The forest has added yet another soul to its collection of unsuspecting travelers.