All four of us looked up at the same time, our reactions the same.

“What the-“ I couldn’t hide my excitement. This was only supposed to be a socially distanced catch up, considering we hadn’t seen each other in a while, but that rapidly changed when we got lost in the forest.

This had now turned into some kind of adventure. To be honest, we should have been worried that we couldn’t find our way back, but something about the serenity and the peacefulness of this place made me feel at ease.

Recently i’d been feeling lost within myself, distracted within the complications of life and trying to make it through everyday whilst navigating lonely lockdowns and constant confusion. As I stepped outside this morning to join my friends, I felt apprehensive and anxious, afraid that I had lost every single social skill it took me my entire life to acquire.

But here we are, strolling through the forest as if we hadn’t missed a moment. I feel safe in the thicket of trees. It feels like they’re hugging me, telling me that I’ve got this, that I’ll make it out alive.

Now, we had stumbled across an entrance. An entrance to what? It looked out of place but as though the lavishness fit right into the surrounding greenery. It looked royal and prestigious.

I was the first to move closer. I had to know what was inside!

The others moved behind me, no one making a noise.

Suddenly, I flinched. From the corner of my eye I saw some thing move.

“Hello,” I called. “Anybody there?”

No one responded, so I walked further through the tunnel. The passage way began to widen and light flooded in.

“Fuck!” I swore allowed as I tripped over something at my feet. I stood back, wanting to prepare the others for the stone step that lay in the middle of the path.

It wasn’t a stone step.

“Oh my God.”

I felt every element of serenity leave my body. It was as if ice had been injected into my veins.

The others asked me what I had seen. I couldn’t speak.

My English teacher lay dead at my feet.