Lost

The air around me seemed to be toxic, because every time I tried to breathe my lungs would sting. It was very dark outside – the only sound I could perceive was the chirping of crickets. I looked up to observe a dark shy beholding millions of shining dots. The wind blew softly like someone blowing on your neck. I put on my hood and kept walking. My body quivered every step I took. I let out a sigh and sat on a stump. I rested my face in my icy hands; I was wishing that I could just escape from here. To be able to return home safely, which of course was less likely to happen with the condition I was in. I could imagine gathering around a warm fire and whispering softly to each other. I focused on the first star and made a wish.1

“Starlight, star bright. The first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might. Make the wish, I wish tonight.” I whispered morosely. My fingers intertwined, I wished that tonight I will return home safely. I stared out at the trees, studying their bark and the leaves on them. I just sat there, motionless, praying that I'll make it through the night. I pried for a sleeping spot but only found a bunch of grass flattened out. I situated myself so I was comfortable and cried myself to sleep.2

I woke up suddenly. It still seemed that it was night-time since the moon was out and its reflection shone on the ground. It's beautiful silhouette shined so brightly that I caught myself not staring at it, but mesmerizing it. At first I thought I heard a growl which spooked me, but sooner came to realize that it was my stomach speaking to me saying, “Feed me!” I lied my hand on my stomach and moaned. I needed food – and fast! I got up and spotted a blueberry bush. I raced over there and popped each independent on satisfying my craving. I laughed silently with relief and continued picking farther down. I made sure I savored every little bit. Farthest from the bush was a bundle of berries – I had to get them! Carefully, I set my bag down next to me and leaned forward. With excellent balance, I got them off of the bush.3

“Yes!” I shouted. I turned around so fast that I lost my balance and skidding down a hill into a deep hole. Meanwhile, my skin burned from the scrape from twigs and rocks that etched into my skin. Once I had hit the bottom of the ground I felt like giving up right then and there.4

“I can't do this! How am I going to survive? No one even knows where I am!” I shouted, flustered with myself and sighed. I looked back up at the stars then squeezed my eyes shut. Why did this have to happen to me? What did I do to deserve this? I shook away all the negative thoughts in my head and tried staying optimistic. I applied all of my strength in my body to try and stand up and walk around a bit; testing my legs to see if I was stable enough to stand straight upwards. In the distance I could hear nothing but the hissing of the wind. The dirt wall that surrounded me made me feel claustrophobic. The walls were very high up that I couldn't see a solution to try to get out, and the walls were so narrow that it seemed as small as my closet was back at home.5

I approached the wall and thought logically to myself. What if I try to use these holes in the wall to try and climb out? I touched the holes and they felt solid. So my plan might work out after all! I gulped with nervousness in the pit of my stomach and grabbed the holes. I pulled myself up along the way until my arms weakened and I fell back down.6

THUD! I rubbed my head and went back to the wall to try again. I advanced forward with such stamina that my foot missed the hole and I slipped. I repeated this course over and over again until I made it past a certain point. I reached the top of the hole when unexpectedly... WOOSH! The wind slapped me so hard that I fell once again.7

“No!!!” I screamed at the top of my lungs as I fell. I reached out for a twig in the dirt and held onto that. I hung there for long periods of time and decided to sooner or later give up. As soon as I was about to make up my mind I felt a bright light flash in my face. I stayed silent and listened. I heard a deep voice calling out my name.8

“Bella!? Are you out there?” I soon realized that they were searching for me and climbed up all the way until I reached the soft, wet grass. I shivered as I rolled onto my stomach. I looked from the side of my eye and saw two guys in uniforms rushing to both of my sides.9

“Are you okay?” One officer asked with a distracting mustache. “Are you injured?” Another officer asked. His head was as shiny as a bowling ball that I had to shut my eyes. I shook my head but cringed. The officer on my left, mustache man, took me in his arms and held me there. That tobacco odor and velvety soft skin reminded me of my dad. I read his badge which read: Officer Stanly. My dad.10

“Dad...” I said so softly that only he could of heard me. He stroked my head and shushed me. I hugged him tightly and fell fast asleep in his arms. I was finally home.