Descriptive Writing Excersise

1

"Annie!2

No answer.3

"Annie?!"4

Silence.5

I broke into a sprint, tearing through the woods as fast as my legs could carry me. The dead leaves crackled like gunshots underneath my feet, and my sharp breath came in short, ragged gasps. I felt a little scared, especially because of the racket I was making. My hands were cold and clammy, but my face was hot and pouring sweat. My feet pounded the ground as stitch in my side increased tremendously. I had a good reason to be so scared-- my best friend was missing.6

I finally allowed myself a break. I halted and doubled over, hands on knees and gasping for breath like a fish out of water. I clutched the ache in my side and squeezed hard as if it might make the pain go away. My heart hammered away against my rib cage so loudly that I felt the dull thunder echo in my skull. After a few moments, when I finally managed to breathe properly again, I straightened up and tried to calm down a bit. 7

An owl hooted nearby and I nearly fell over.8

As I hastily scrambled up, I felt myself being inwardly thankful that no one had seen my moment of stupidity. But the relief was soon drenched again by isolation and despair. What could have happened to Annie? How long had I been gone? What would the others think?9

No, I told myself firmly. I can't lose hope. Not now. Not when Annie needs me so badly. And the image of frightened Annie lost somewhere in this dark forest all alone made me screw my courage and call out again.10

"Annie!!" I shouted out. "Ann-"11

The crack of a twig behind me almost made me fall over again. I swerved around, heart jumping up into my throat, and out of the bushes stumbled... Annie. 12

Relief washed over me like a cracked egg. I looked her over quickley. She was safe, but looking distinctly disheveled. Her short blonde hair was sticking out at odd angles, and her shirt looked like it had snagged on a branch more than once. I sighed in exasperation.13

"Annie, where the heck have you been? Everyone's been worried sick over you. We got back to the cabin ages ago, but when Ms. Angie saw that you were missing, she freaked out. She was screaming and yelling and calling people from other cabins asking if they'd seen you. The whole camp was in an uproar. You should have seen it."14

I rolled my eyes, even though Annie probably couldn't see me in the dark. 15

" But through all the commotion, I managed to grad a sweater and a flashlight and come looking for you." I glared at her sternly. Finally, she said, pouting, "I got lost."16

I groaned. "You really need to learn to keep up with the group."But when I saw how scared and sorry she looked, I felt my annoyance with her vanish.17

"Forget it. Let's get back to the camp before Ms. Angie calls the FBI or something."18

We didn't talk much on our way back to the cabin, but still, the journey back seemed a lot shorter than before because my friend was there, walking beside me. I felt oddly comforted by Annie's presence, though I could never admit that to her. I definately had a tough shell on the outside, but I managed to get scared too, sometimes. This is why I love Annie. She is quiet, but silly. She listens to my problems, but doesn't ever scold me. She gave me energy to be the strong, defiant girl that I am. She was precious to me, and I could not lose her. Not Annie.19