Dwellers of the New World Chapter Nine ( Pt 5 ) What Next?

The forest reverberated to the sounds of the wind and rain, it was haunting and would have sent shivers through even the bravest of men. The deluge of mud seemed to have risen, as the rain poured from the night sky, sending a stream of water, running down the forest banks.

Between the huge trees, limped a girl, bedraggled. Every step she took, was torture. Wretchedness and despair were upon every part of her body. Cinnamon had managed to escape the incursion of brambles, going through every emotion possible, finally becoming incensed, no longer fearing pain, she was determined to break free. Taking deep breaths she stood up, the thorns ripping through her skin, blood trickled from her wounds, being washed away by the rain.

Grasping each bramble carefully, she finally managed to reach the bank, slithering down into the cold slippery mud, which was now up to her calves.Trudging through the wet squelchy mire was hard work, but the mud did seem to ease the pain on her lower legs, with each step she took. Pretty soon Cinnamon was on firmer ground, though by now her feet and legs felt like they were no longer her own, every step was agony.

The wind and rain blew the trees, even in the darkness Cinnamon was aware their branches seemed like arms waving about above her head. She gazed around not knowing which way to go next. The poor girl never realised how big the forest actually was until now, it made her feel small, she thought she would be swallowed up, never to be seen again.

Not having any idea of where to shelter in the darkness, she collapsed with exhaustion where she was, not caring any more about the wind and rain, tears ran down her cheeks, as she wondered what her mother and father would say when they discovered she hadn't come home.

Cinnamon closed her eyes, shivering and huddled in to her wet wrap. Soon she drifted off, she hadn't meant to fall asleep, it just overcame her. She awoke to the sound of breathing close to her ear and could feel a warm, hard tongue licking at her cheeks. Trembling she opened her eyes, a creature stared back at her. Cinnamon at first couldn't make out what it was, but then she heard a whistle somewhere off in the distant gloom.

As the girl moved, the creature backed away, she then realised that it was only a dog. Trying to move was difficult, Cinnamon was stiff, her whole body numb. The dog barked turning one way, then the other, until a voice came from out of the forest and a man approached.

“There you are boy...what have you found?”

Again the dog barked, as the man came to inspect what the animal had discovered. At first he thought it was a dead creature, only seeing the fur of Cinnamon's cape, but as he got closer, he realised it was a child. “Oh dear...what the heck have we got here?”

Cinnamon sobbed nervously. “Please help me, I have to get out of the forest, I need to get home.”

Scarcely had she spoken, when the stranger picked her up and began carrying her, declaring in a soothing manner. “There...there, don't fret, soon you will be in the warmth. Looks like your legs have been pretty cut up girl.”

Cinnamon had no strength to struggle, so letting go she relaxed, her whole body weak.

Pretty soon, with the dog barking at the man's feet, Cinnamon could see firelight through the distant trees, the savage wind continued, though the rain had now stopped.

“We'll soon be there, you'll be safe at our camp,” declared the stranger.

As they got closer to the firelight, Cinnamon could see some people around a huge camp fire that was nestled in a clearing, then she saw some wagons and horses.

Realising these were travellers she relaxed, knowing she would be safe. Cinnamon liked the travellers, especially when they came to barter their wares, she had often wondered what it would be like to travel, never staying in one place too long.

They reached one of the wagons, the man pulled back the skin that acted as a door. Cinnamon was surprised at how roomy it was inside, expecting it to be poky, never having been in a wagon before.

“Now you lay still,” said the stranger, placing the girl down on a bed. “I'll get some water and clean those cuts of yours.”

Cinnamon watched as the man took some skin which he placed in a wooden bucket of water, then squeezing out the excess, he returned to the girl and gently cleaned the mud from her leg.” These cuts are pretty deep, you've been in the brambles haven't you?”

Cinnamon's face reddened as she thought of what her mother and father would say. “Yes...I...I got trapped and couldn't get out, I was so scared.”

“Only a fool would be out on a night like this, what were you thinking girl?” He didn't mean to sound harsh, but she seemed so young, to be out in the forest alone.

Cinnamon bit her lip, for the first time she felt very insecure. “I was meeting a friend, but when I tried to search for him, I got lost amongst the trees.” She began to sob again. “Suddenly I saw a huge bear and became frightened, I turned to run, the path had all but disappeared, I ended up caught amongst the brambles trying to get out of the mud, they tore at my legs and I couldn't get away.”

The stranger tut...tutted, nodding his head, wondering about her parents, who must be worried for her. “What's your name? I can't keep calling you girl.”

“My name's Cinnamon...what's yours?”

“I'm Brad...I'm pleased to meet you, now let's get some balm on those cuts.”

Dwellers of the New World Chapter Nine ( Pt 6 ) Friendships | ABCtales