Chapter 2
The next morning my eyes opened with a crusty crack, and they were hot from lack of sleep. I rubbed them, trying to rid of the crust, but some still remained. I got up to take a shower. Even though I bathe in the river, it's only soaking my body. I don't have soap with me, so I still smell. It's mostly for rituals and ceremonies…usually.
I stepped out of the shower and tied the robe back on. But as I was closing it, I saw pink marks all around my belly button. Where did…oh right. I still have to thank him, even though he did all those things to me. Maybe I can use that. Say he had his fun and I'll let that slide as a thank you so I don't have to risk doing anything else with him. But…I still wanted to see him.
But, that was wrong. I shouldn't have wanted to see him. He's a perverted man who sexually harassed me last night and I could get him arrested… even though he did say he had control over the cops. But, I guess I should go and see him, to talk about it.
I looked in the mirror and gasped. I looked horrible! I even had hickeys on my neck and jaw! Gross! I marched into my room, found my skinny jeans that I wore for going into the woods, and slipped on a blue shirt. I had to always wear an article of clothing that was visible and blue. I didn't really mind. I loved blue.
I looked in the mirror again, and slathered in two different cover-ups. One a liquid that went into your pores, next a mouse that made it look like real skin again. Then I took another cover up, frustrated at how it wasn't working out, and poured the powder on too. It was slightly better…but… I still saw them. I sighed in frustration, slipped on a hat and sun glasses and headed out, tying on boots that laced up the front of my leg, two inches below my knee cap.
The guy still had to be in town. He wouldn't dare leave this place at night or dusk. It gets dangerous in the woods. And that's why I was going into them. The people wouldn't go into the woods around our town. That's one reason why we still live here. We are all to afraid to leave. But for some reason, only Ian and I were ok with the forest. We didn't feel scared, moreover, we felt welcomed.
When I stepped outside, people passing by nodded and smiled, and I returned them. I crossed the dirt road and stepped around the raspberry pricker-bushes that guarded the woods. After a few steps around a few trees, I was completely covered up by the thick forests. I couldn't see the house I live in, the people who pass by, or even any of my neighbors. I felt the same way I felt in my river. Alone, secure, like I could be myself. I took a deep breath of fresh air and trudged through.
I passed an arm of the river, a small stream that deer and other animals would drink from. The river was to fast and to deep in the land for them to risk drinking from. I stepped up and cupped my hands into the water and sipped. I watched the water ripple and then saw my reflection. Ew, I looked horrible. Good thing I decided to stay in the woods today. I took off my sunglasses and poked at my skin. I had so much cover-up on that you couldn't see the blood in my cheeks when I blushed. And I was blushing because of that. And I still didn't see it.
I stood up, and turned around, ready to explore for the whole day. Then I heard it. I heard a bubbling noise, then a splash. I turned around again and saw the water take a shape.
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