The Man in Blackberry Forest by Josiah
Max glared.
"He is a chicken isn't he?" Jack remained calm and said in an even voice:
"No, it's stupid. I'm not going to risk my life for your satisfaction."
"Come on, he probably doesn't even live there anymore," said Max.
"I don't care. I don't mind going in there during the day but there is no
way I'm heading in there after nightfall."
"You private school kids are all the same. Bunch of wimps."
Jack's eyebrows slanted downward.
"If you're not going to do it why should I?"
"Shut up Jack. You're more afraid than I am."
Jack gave a sigh. He had had enough of this.
"Fine, I'll do it. But if this is some kind of prank, I'll make sure every kid
in your school finds out what you did last summer. Understood?"
"Whatever..." mumbled Max under his breath, trying to appear
nonchalant. Then he added: "See you at ten, if you're
man enough to show up."
"So be it," said Jack with a grim face.
Jack walked home underneath the cherry trees of Old Yale Road, his
nervousness and determination clashing in his mind like two enraged stags in
the leaves of autumn. There was no backing down. If he chickened out now
he would undoubtedly be the laughing stock of his school when Max told
everyone at the next football game.
Hours later he slowly got out of bed, his stomach rumbling with anxiety
and his mind racing through all the possibilities. His parents didn't hear the
front door open as their son rushed off into the night on a wild quest to
preserve his sanity and underlying that, though he didn't want to admit it
himself, his honour. Jack moved from shadow to shadow, trying as hard as
possible to make sure nobody would see him. The streetlights overhead were
not on his side.
After a few minutes of this the boy finally managed to ditch
the road and veer off into a space between the James Hill School and the
backyard fences of the people living on Mulberry Street.
Just when we thought he was safe a bright light dug through the
blackness to reveal a gaunt, angry old man (the janitor but Jack could not
have known this for he did seem rather un-janitor-like in his apparel) standing
against the school gym, and tapping his foot.
"Come here boy."
Jack went with his gut and ran, ran, ran, ran, ran, ran until his lungs were
about to collapse and his feet felt like they were about to fall off. This was
why he never ventured into the night, past his safe front door, into the bleak
shadow world beyond. One was quick to find strange things in the dark when
one was searching. He felt like quitting. But there was one thing we couldn't
help but enjoy about this adventure he was taking, despite the close call. And
that was simply that it was, indeed, an adventure. It seemed like he hadn't had
one in ages and he had just about forgotten what it felt like.
And so, the cautious wanderer began to walk the path that lead to what
was known locally as "Blackberry Forest," a land of legend and danger, of
witches and werewolves, and things that go bump in the night and at the
center of it all, a mysterious homeless man whowas thought to be a sorcerer
who lured kids into the woods and ate them.
"Boo!" whispered a voice from behind Jack`s right shoulder. He felt a
feeling of dread and remorse for coming seep into his bones. He turned
around to face his near-certain demise only to see a slightly amused Max
smiling smugly at him from a nearby stump. The grass stalk in his mouth
wobbled as he scrambled over to where Jack was standing. "Well it's about
time," he said. "You know what to do. Follow the Main Trail until you come
to Dead Crow Junction, then head west on the Fort Trail until you come to
Poison Ivy. The Beggar's Pit is just beyond. Now recite the actual dare to
me."
Jack's lip trembled just a little, giving him a hint of a stutter as he spoke.
The darkness wrapped around them both and they had to squint to see each
others outlines.
"I have to stay at Beggars Pit for twenty minutes without saying a
word and light a small fire."
"No."
"What? But that's what we agreed to!"
"You also have to mark all the nearest trees with this knife."
"Fine."
Jack grabbed the knife and walked deeper into the evil heart of the
forest. Every shadow seemed to be a ghoul reaching for him. Every rise in
ground, seemed to be hiding some foul beast behind it, preparing to pounce
on him silently. Even the trees themselves seemed rather hostile. Branches full
of needles racked across his body as he navigated the rough path. Blackberry
thorns added to the misery, scraping at his legs and arms with ferocity.
Jack was glad when he finally came across Dead Crow Junction. It was
named this because three or fear years back a dead bird was found at the
exact spot, said to have died of a disease that no creature who entered this
coniferous fortress was immune to. The stagnant water on the far side was
said to be the main cause although some still doubted that.
After making the turn, Jack came face to face with the large fallen tree
commonly known as "the fort." The only way past was over or under. The
various pop and beer cans underneath rang loudly as Jack's foot accidentally
plowed through them. He stood very still for what felt like at least a half hour
until he was sure no one had heard him.
A little ways further and he hit Poison Ivy trail. The woods had a
different character over here. It was hard to describe the differences between
various parts of the woods but this part felt more grim and foreign.
And just ahead of him, lying there in wait, was Beggars Pit. Most people,
like Max, had only ever heard of the place. He had found out the location
only from rumours and reports.
The adventurous fellow carefully made his way through the trees
separating the pit from the trail. The lighter he had with him burst into flames
at his touch and he lit the small bundle of sticks and grass he had
gathered. After that he took out the knife and marked every tree with a single
notch. And then he sat down.
Jack thought he saw a flicker of movement and looked up. There was
Max.
"Hello Jack."
"Max, what are you doing here?"
"I forgot to mention one small thing about the man in Blackberry
Forest."
"What is it?"
"I am that man."
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