I took my sweet time getting there.
Slowing down when I got to the edge of the woods.
Looks like I'm walking from this point on.
My bike isn't an off-road one, it's not meant to be ridden anywhere but pavement.
I could try, but I might ruin the tires if I do.
I got off my bike and wheeled it behind a rather large tree, leaning it against it.
I started into the forest, but looked back at my bike.
I wasn't sure about leaving it here.
What if someone comes by and sees it? They might steal it!
I frowned.
Of course there wasn't much I could do about it.
Perhaps I'll wheel it along with me, that way at least it wouldn't be completely out in the open.
Someone would have to walk pretty far into the woods to find it.
I decide to walk back and grab my bike, my duffel bag beginning to weigh heavy on my shoulder.
I wheeled my bike alongside myself as I walked, humming nervously to myself.
No particular tune, as my mind wasn't paying attention to the tune.
I can't believe I'm doing this. I can't believe I'm doing this. I can't believe I'm...
Suddenly there was a loud crack, like a large branch being broken in half.
My breathing ragged, I glanced all around me.
There were birds flying from the area where the noise took place.
I was trembling. I didn't want to go over there, but I was also curious as to what could have made that sound.
I pulled out my phone and looked at the clock, I still had time if I wanted to check it out.
So I lowered my bike gently onto the ground and did the same with my duffel bag.
I unzipped it and pulled out my pepper spray and a coconut flavored lollipop.
I unwrapped the lollipop and stuck it into my mouth, hopefully that will keep my teeth from chattering.
I clutched the pepper spray to my chest and shakily made my way toward the sound, unsure of what was to come.
I came to a break in the forest.
And there it was, the thing that terrified me so, the thing that scared me half to death, the thing that frightened me to my wits end.
It was... Well, I was right about one thing.
It was only a branch, a big thick branch from way up high.
I looked up, I could see where it broke off.
I crouched down to examine the branch.
It makes no sense.
The branch is heavy, yes, but it was healthy and strong, it could support it's own weight.
It makes no sense that it would just randomly break off.
I checked where it had broken, it's not even rotted.
I wonder what caused it to break then...
That's when I noticed that it was getting darker, the sun was setting.
I stood up from my crouch and started back towards my bike, leaving the mystery of the broken branch for another day.
Besides, I have other things to worry about...
