I wandered the path I had always walked every day, on my way home. I held my lantern high enough to shine over my face and my surroundings. I watched the ground bellow me, as to know where I am and where I’m going. When my eyes shifted up for a split second, I saw something strange. There was a cloud like figure looming over an entrance to the forest, lighting a way in. I’ve never been into the forest because my mum tells me that it was the reason for the worlds loss of light. She depicts it as the gate to hell. But I don’t know, this cloud thing feels… enticing. It’s like I’m drawn to it’s mysteriousness. Without thinking, my body moved to follow the new path enlightened to me by this cloud. I tailed this cloud for over 10 minutes before it stopped abruptly. I looked at it, bewildered. All of a sudden the light from the cloud dimmed and a new light came to view. My eyes were drawn to a lake, about 10 feet ahead. There was a large bolder formation at the hind end of the lake that was covered in moss and vines. And there was a small waterfall that seemed to cover up some kind of cavity in the boulders body. There was a beautiful willow tree at the top of this bolder, amidst all the greenery. There also seemed to be a surrounding rind of polished looking rocks, that encompassed half of the lake. To add to the ethereality of this place, there was one detail that made it even more astonishing. The lake illuminated a beautiful cerulean blue light that rivaled the stars themselves. With no other light around, as my lantern flame died out, I drifted to the body of water. I stepped up to the row of stones and leaned over to look into the waters eye. One could see all the inner workings of this habitat. That’s just how crystal clear the water was. I stared, for what felt like hours, at all the creatures and embellishments that decorated the lakes floor. I reached out slowly, and grazed the tips of my fingers across the waters surface and it felt like I had coasted the skin of an angel. There was something so soft and yet so cold about the water. I had finally looked up and at my surroundings, as only the immediate space around the lake could be seen with solely it’s blue light. I saw trees that I haven’t been able to see for years, and grass that has never gleamed so green. In that moment, I thought back on my mothers words about this forest. “Mija… never, and I mean NEVER should you enter that forest. It will only end in pain. Even if not for you, someone will suffer. Nothing good ever comes from that god forsaken place. For the good of your family.. Please don’t ever even think of exploring in there. It’s only for the best, Mija.” I pondered on the severity in which she spoke. But then my mind shifted to the overwhelming beauty in front of me. And in that moment, I knew… I would not speak of my findings in this forest to anyone, especially not my mother. I will keep this secret and cherish it. I cannot let hate be what ruins this natural gorgeousness. If my mother thinks that the forest only holds misfortune, then who am I to try and convince her otherwise. This would be my get away when the world became too much. I swore to myself I would not let this heaven on earth be compromised.