I skipped to the glass window, staring outside at the numerous amount of planes-stationary or otherwise-and gave a huge grin. I was fascinated with anything aerodynamic and my passion for it grew with every passing year.
My family-my father, Mark, my mother, Emily, my younger sister, Alex, and I-were headed to Brazil for a fun-filled family holiday so we had to stop at the Caribbean. The airport over looked the Nagahama forest with sheer grandeur. The sky was crystal blue and the day sunny. I, being 13 years of age, took the responsibility of my two year old sibling. I lifted my sister, saying “Look Alex, these are really big birds, aren’t they?” Alex squealed in delight, excited about the idea of being on a bird. “That’s weird…” I thought “What was that whirring sound?” My thoughts were interrupted by my sister’s demanding shrieks to view the birds again. As quickly as it had come, the sound left without another disturbance. Half an hour passed by, and Alex and I were eating a yummilicious, margarita pizza! Our teeth bit into the bread like lions and were thinking of all the activities and games we would do.
Then, out of nowhere, a siren blared deafeningly from behind the sapphire wall. A dull green plane burst through the thick wall, splattering chunks of concrete when finally breaking through the viewing glass. Silence. The plane was out of earshot and sight. Suddenly, men with brown and green uniforms started shooting everywhere. BANG! BANG! BANG! went the rifles and one bullet literally raced through my baggy trousers. Grabbing my sister on to my back, I sped through the lounge, trying to escape each passing bullet. I was terrified that my sister might get hit, and my heart suddenly beat even faster, at the same time my legs pushed me quicker, as if wanting to protect my sister.
Beads of sweat poured down my forehead, and my hands became wet. “Okay, Alice, what do you know at this moment?” I asked myself, breathing deeply for each word in my head. I knew my parents were dead, I knew their bodies lay lifeless on the ground, but I also knew this was no time to mourn and grieve for mine and Alex’s losses. The violent scene drifted behind me as I crossed the forest’s boundary line and only slowed down when I was absolutely sure that we were far enough. Unexpectedly, my eyes saw black and I saw nothing else……… The lush grass sparkled in the moonlight, the glistening moon perched in the beautiful night sky. Nocturnal birds chirped to glory while I lay on earth, looking at the magnificent work of Mother Nature………
Reality tugged on me like a vice, pulling strongly. I didn’t see the aggressive airport lounge full of departed bodies. The souls could never fulfil their dreams, they would never see their children or grand-children, and they would never be able to be successful in their careers. My sister lay beside me, sleeping peacefully. I lifted her gently, so as not to wake up. The poor thing, this was too much to bear with at such a young age.
The only three things I was sure of were these: 1) I’m, stuck with a two-year-old girl in an unknown forest, full of deadly animals and insects. 2) We were safe (from the men anyway). 3) This was the very forest where the famous professor, Professor Collin, got lost. Some say he disappeared; others say never made it back to civilization alive.
All types of trees surrounded me like a huge army. I had to defend myself, come what may. The damp floor was camouflaged by red, brown and yellow leaves. The path took a twisting route through the woods, something which no one could make out. Alex finally came round and we were sitting beneath a huge banyan tree.
She was perched on my lap and I sang her asleep. The Banyan tree was huge and the leaves could have been dancing in the splattering rain for all I knew. I thanked God for giving Alex this shelter and moved a bit back. For some reason my back never touched the bark of the banyan tree. My eyes just zoomed past the wet forest and all I saw now was air. My legs hit something bouncy but wasn’t I supposed to be screaming at the top of my lungs??? Wasn’t Alex supposed to be crying?
I got answers for my questions when I felt a soft hand on me. I look down and saw an earthen looking trampoline. I hesitantly looked behind me and to my surprise my eyes met a brown pair “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you!” His smile was warm. My body refuelled a bit at the idea that I was not alone. “Here…” offering a hand” come on in.” He led us to a small underground cottage. Opening the door, he said “The name’s Jasper. You must be wondering why I live here, in this deserted forest, where no one can live alone? I’m about 15 now, I think… ”thinking off into space “Boy, am I!”
“I got lost in this forest in 2005. No one noticed I was missing, since my parents dies when I was 10. He strolled into the kitchen for five minutes and came out with two steaming hot cups of tea and a glass of milk, along with a plate of home-made biscuits. “I lived with my uncle for 5 years. He died 4 years ago and I had no friends.” He said.
“Some terrorists attacked the airport. Both my parents are dead. I have a two-year-old sibling and have no home” I whispered, glaring at the boiling tea. “Maybe you can stay with me! It gets lonely around here sometimes, so……”
Alice thought about it. Should she trust Jasper with her and Alex’s’ life? Or maybe she should say no, they barely knew each other?!?! Maybe they both should go together, on a quest to find their own homes? Question was: Where is home?
