The Tiny Forest

There was no shadow casted as he faced the sun. His smile did not tempt the world to prove he was innocent. He wasn’t nervous. Brave. That was an overstatement.

Although they ripped him of his soul he begged them not to take his pride. He was guilty of many things. However, he did not forget how to stay strong.

Looking down at his reflection, he noticed the lake began to ripple. It started off as breeze but the wind soon became forceful.

Behind him was a handful of trees. There was a mist among the tiny forest. He was curious and wanted to go wonder. Perhaps a bit of pondering while he’s at it. Although his mind was clear he feared what he may imagine.

The trees dropped their leaves one by one as soon as he stepped in. It was like he was walking with the power of death in his hands. Not a single wild animal could be seen. No birds chirping. No sticks were being trembled upon.

He reached his destination. The end of the forest. It was still quiet. The sun decided to disappear behind the clouds. It did not want to come out and play.

Out on the horizon a dark, slender , silhouette appeared. It was brought to his attention. Suddenly, he felt his heart beating. He could hear it popping out of his chest

Gradually, the silhouette walked closer and closer towards him. He contemplated whether he should step forward or not. He stayed where he was. The slender figure and the man were face to face. Whereas there was no face to be seen. Standing opposite ‘it’ he visioned no features. Instead, there was no colour nor highlight. It was all black.

What is it ? It didn’t have a scent. It didn’t talk. It didn’t do anything really.

He tried to communicate but nothing was returned. A few moments of silence was breathed in and out. Until...

A wave a realisation was brought to his attention. Was this dark slender silhouette his own shadow? How was this even possible he questioned. He circled the ‘shadow’ and from the side it was completely thin. It also looked exactly the same from behind.

He began to chuckle harder once each second passes. His laughter grew louder and the echoes soon followed.

He stopped and asked “where did you go?”

The shadow shrugged and walked off.

The sun dispersed from the clouds. He was standing there with no shadow