Woodland

Midsommar

It was the beginning of summer, for many reasons I hated summer but little did I know this summer would be my worst by far. My name is Hazel, when I was 6 years old my parents filed for divorce and by 10 they were living in different states and absolutely hated each other... so typical divorce story, right? Now I'm 17 soon to be 18 ready to graduate high school and head off to college. During my parents split I chose to live with my father visiting my mother every summer. Today was the last day of school my alarm waking me from my deep sleep, I'd groan as I turned off my alarm throwing the blanket off my legs before groggily getting out of bed stretching. "Hazel, come on!" My father would yell up the stairs as this was an every morning thing, I woke up late which meant dad was late for work.
The drive to school only took about 5 minutes as we didn't live far, "alright I'll be here around 3:30 to pick you up, don't forget after school we're hitting the road, your mother is expecting us by later on tonight" my dad would look at me as I got my bag and opened the car door, "and one more thing, it's the last day lets behave ourselves" my father unlocking the doors allowing me to leave out the car. I'd wave him off before heading inside, my mother lived a few hours away in a small town with maybe 1,000 people in total residing there today, she decided to move closer when i decided to enroll in a nearby university. "Hazel! God girl even on the last day you still come in over an hour late" Devin my best friend would chuckle as he'd walk up to my locker, "what can I say, its my thing" I'd giggle as I'd put in my locker combination putting my things away. Once my bag was away I'd close my locker before locking arms with Devin as we walked down the hall to first period.

I'd go through the day without incident meeting Devin at my locker at the end of the day as he always got a ride home with us. "Good afternoon Mr.Bishop" Devin would greet my father with a sweet smile as always, "hey kid, how have you been?" my dad cracking a smile looking back to meet Devin's gaze. "You guys literally saw each other yesterday" I'd laugh getting in the back with Devin this time, my father would let out a small laugh before putting the car in drive and driving off heading to drop off Devin first before getting on the highway. Once Devin was home me and my dad would hit the highway the silence in the car becoming deafening.

"Heya Hazel, can we talk for a minute?" my dad looking over at me quickly before returning his focus to the road, "uhm yeah sure dad..." my voice a little hesitant as normally this meant he had something pretty serious on his mind. "Listen... I know things haven't always been the easiest with me" his words gentle and premeditated, "and I know your getting older which means you won't need your dear old dad always getting in your way" a little chuckle escaping his mouth. "Dad..." I'd begin to talk but he'd quickly stop me, "Just let me finish okay?" his words a little stern but still gentle making me nod my head as I listened for what he was going to say next. "These last few weeks something has been feeling off..." his voice going from gentle to a more serious tone "the worst part is I have no idea why" he'd look at me quickly before returning to the road. For some reason his words sent a chill up my spine a shiver through my bones as i listened.

"Hazel..." his tone serious his gaze on the road unbroken, "yes?" my voice just above a whisper as his lips pursed to speak again. "This world we live in can be a dark and evil place... I need you to promise me to keep your nose out of trouble" he'd turn his head to look at me as we came to a stop coming off the highway, "yeah sure dad, I promise" the car starting to move again as he'd get on another highway where most the journey traveling would be spent. After about 3 hours we'd need to stop for gas and a bite to eat. We'd pull into a rest stop as it was a one stop shop, "Sit tight, I'm gonna head inside and pay for the gas" my dad grabbing his wallet before getting out the car and heading inside the store.

Midsommar: is a celebration of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, which takes place in the Northern Hemisphere