Forest – Positive

I heard the leaves beneath my feet as I strolled down a well-worn path under the shelter of the trees; each step made a satisfying crunch to mix with the softer sounds all around me. I closed my eyes to feel the rays of sun on my face, peeking through the patterns of leaves above, and took a breath, letting crisp air enter my lungs. A chill hung in the air, but it only helped, snapping my senses into better focus.

With each step, my body relaxed, and the noises of home wafted out of my mind, letting my thoughts move clearer.

At a fork in the road, I turned into a familiar path, walking so the wheels in my head would keep turning. If I was to figure anything out, it would be here.

 

Forest – Negative

Leaves crunched beneath my feet as I walked quickly across the path. I cursed them in my head as I walked between the towering trees, listening as hard as I could to the sounds all around me. At any loud enough I stopped and shone my torch, but wherever I pointed the circle of light, there was always more darkness. The stars or moon gave even less light, as only slivers got through the tangles of leaves above.

Two eyes glowed back at me, and a scream caught in my throat as the creature darted away. With another rustle to the other side, I whirled around; my torch revealed nothing. I tensed every muscle to stop shaking and pushed myself along the path step by step.

Something rustled behind me, I walked quicker.

Another rustle, closer.

I walked faster.

Something thumped to the floor.

I ran.