Into the Dying Forest

This is the short story that has been published.

The sun was shining brightly, bathing the ground and trees in its warm rays. The smell of dry dirt and bark was strong out here. The grass was faded and tall, and broken trees made a straight path impossible. Pillars of gnats separated into their own hectic communities. Too often one would fly into my face as a burning man would rush into water. The buzzing of the ever elusive cicada rang in my ears. With sweat pouring down my face and my body viciously trembling, I struggled through this dying forest. Parched, I wished for water, but there was none here. The ground beneath me cracked and crunched at every step. The trees would nearly crumble if I braced against them. It felt as if the air was absorbing what little water still remained in me.

I knew I was going to die, but I refuse to die like this. Back in civilization the doctors told me I had a few weeks. My body had been corrupted, my innards turning on themselves. I felt as if there was a blade churning and blending my insides. I attempted to cure myself, but failed at every end. I was determined to find a way. I wandered into the woods and it led me here. Trying anything is better than trying nothing.

I have forced myself further than should be possibleI I have walked through where seemingly no man has been. Still I am struggling through this dying land, stumbling and falling, my body violently shaking and trembling. It is difficult to take a step when your leg refuses to listen.

As the last of my hope was fleeting, I came to a clearing -- a small opening with no trees. I stumbled to the middle of this clearing to a broken tree laying on its side. I sat and rested but gained no energy. My health did not stop for a break on its way to death. I decided this is where I am to die.

In the distance I noticed movement. With all the strength I had left I forced myself to find what it was. I stumbled back into the trees, frantically looking around and searching. My legs gave out, I fell to the ground and I could not move. I began to cry, but had no tears to shed. The darkness began to encroach around my vision. It was all becoming blurry and dark. There was a tingling in the back of my brain, as if falling asleep for one last time. A man stirred me before I lost consciousness. He looked very familiar. The man spoke, "You've been busy." I stared at him but could not place him. He continued, "There is always a way." I looked around and realized I have been here before. This place is somehow familiar. As if on queue the ground slowly began to swallow my immobile body; the feeling was so familiar. As the dry dirt began to cover my face I looked up to the man standing above me. In the last second of light, I recognized him... he was me.

By Antonio G.