"Wha – what?" I gasped, staring in awe at the scarlet tunnel. It couldn't be, and yet it was.
Taking a step forward, I breathed in the fresh air. The place seemed to not have aged a day. The two-headed spirit statue still stood, short yet proud, covered in moss and leaves. The trees around me barely twitched with the wind, and their leaves were bright green, covered in veins of white. The tunnel was dark and mysterious, and still held a strange aura, unidentifiable to anybody but myself…
Gaping in fascination and a bit of fear, I stepped forward, peering into the soot-black ambiance of the passageway. I could see nothing.
Well, I thought, scrunching up my forehead in thought, if you can see nothing, then nothing can see you.
As I took another step toward the tunnel, I felt the instincts and will of a little girl bubble up beneath me, pushing out all other reason. I remembered the last time I had been here as if it was yesterday. I saw it in my dreams, growing brighter, and brighter, urging me to continue into the blackness. The spirit world was calling for me, and I had to obey.
I shook my head. I would obey no one. I would only go back… for all my friends.
And Haku.
I made up my mind, and took a deep breath.
Closing my eyes, I sprinted into the gloom, expecting something – or someone - to jump out and grab me at first chance. I ran and ran, barely opening my eyes, peering between my eyelids in suppressed excitement and anxiety. My shoes pounded against the concrete floor, making an echoing thud every time they touched the ground. My breathing, first so long and deep, began to get short and shallow. Despite the sweat dripping down my forehead, I continued. I needed to go on. I felt like I was pursuing someone; I was the policeman, and the light of outside was the thief.
Finally, through my eyelids, I saw the light of outside. I opened my eyes all the way and smiled as I looked across the grassy field, my mind sorting through old memories and replaying them inside my head.
I remembered everything. I remembered the sensation of standing outside – in this same place – and allowing the wind to topple my hair. I remembered my mother staring in earnest at the sunny field, claiming that we should have brought a picnic lunch. I remembered my father's broad back as we climbed across the slippery rocks to the abandoned amusement park. An amusement park that wasn't really what it appeared to be…
I lifted up my hands and breathed deeply, savoring the smell of fresh air. With the courage I had obtained four years ago, I walked on, heading in the direction of the bathhouse, the place where my life had changed forever.
Hopefully for the good.
Ahhh! Too short… Sorry…
Omg… I have too many things to do. I am currently trying to write four stories (four!) and go to school. Oh yeah – and sleep and eat. That's basically what I'm doing for you guys, the fans. Yes, I am going to finish ALL of my stories, no matter how long it takes. I luv writing, and it's really fun for me to come home from school, check my email, and find the reviews that you send me… it's great, and it really keeps me writing. I appreciate all of you! ^_^
Before you give me grief about this short chap, I'd like to say that I am working on the next one as ur reading this. *grins* yep.
*skips off to write more* lalalala… my mom's going to kill me… lalala…
You're gr8! Thanks!
Tic-Tac ~ ^_~