Twisted Reality Alyssa Griesman
Nature’s enchanting sheathe pulled me deeper into the mystifying forest. With each gracing step, I became increasingly immersed in its effortless beauty. Sunlight pierced through the forest, illuminating everything in sight. Trees were varnished with deep emerald vines, which chased down to earth’s surface and danced effortlessly in the whispering wind. Flowers of red, blue, and pink hues blossomed in every corner with bright butterflies roaming at their delicate tips. Birds were singing their morning songs, and frogs were croaking their cheerful melodies. The surrounding air was so crisp that every inhale infused a sense of clarity, and every exhale eased any persistent perplexities. I could always count on this daily stroll to tranquilize my mind and enable me to escape from reality—even if it lasted just for a little while. As I continued my walk, I crossed over a stone arch bridge that shimmered in the sunlight and re- flected the scenery surrounding itself. When I glanced over the bridge, I spotted a water lily pond resting soundly, rippling from the swift motion of the fish that inhabited the area. The pond’s multitude of light and dark green lily pads along with its span of blue and pink flower buds held me in pure astonishment. I’ve always pondered on how nature could be so angelic… Before continuing on, I noticed my reflection staring back at me. Up until now, I’ve never realized how akin I am to my own mother: my strawberry blonde hair, my opal eyes, and my fair skin were entirely analogous to her own features. The memories we once shared began to stream like the ocean’s current in my mind, alluring me into a deep, mystic trance. Then, a sudden splintering sensation surpassed me, arresting my thaumaturgic trance. With curiosity, I peered over my left shoulder, tracing where the sharp sound emerged. I could’ve sworn I observed a strange figure residing near the far side of the pond: this was quite unusual, as this part of the forest was usually regularly empty. I assumed it was just pure imagination—until the figure appeared once more. This time I was absolutely certain that it wasn’t just my so-called pure imagination but, in fact, some strange creature, roaming swiftly now through the seemingly infinite span of trees on the other side of the bridge. Although hesitant, I cautiously creeped towards where I last saw it with each step of mine be- coming more deafening than the preceding one. Once I reached the trees, I felt the neighboring air begin to drop into a brisk, frigid intensity that generated goose bumps along the lengths of my limbs; it evoked my teeth into an uncontrollable chatter and my hands into a frantic tremble. The wind blew at a sudden accelerating pace, triggering the trees to tilt towards tall, boulder-like pillars located a few feet away from where I was currently wandering.
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