Urge

Chapter 1•

He was a naturally curious young boy, and as he grew, his fascination for the forest grew with him. He finally decided it was time to explore, and so he went through and examined every inch of the forest day and night. But that was his biggest mistake. He was only out there three days; but one night, he was chased. Out there alone, he ran, until he saw it. His safety came in the form of a small rusted shed, dust coating every surface. It's unknown what he endured that night in the shed but whatever it was, it changed him. When he finally got out of the forest, he was never the same. The young curious boy that everyone in the town knew him to be, was now someone who wouldn't say a single word. He sat alone staring at a wall with a blank expression, but blatant fear displayed in his eyes. He stayed like that for weeks, until one night when his mother came into his bedroom and found him hanging from one of the shelves in his closet; he had killed himself. No one has been into the forest since.

But that was 20 years ago, and Amber didn't believe the stupid legend that every kid was told about and made to fear.

"Stay out of the forest!" Amber mocked her mother's words from only moments previous.

But this was Amber, she was slim and average height with small features that complemented her straight brunette hair. She loved her mum a lot and always listened to her advice, but not if it was keeping her from something she wanted to do.

Ever since Amber was little and was first told to stay out of the forest she had an urge to explore it.

She was going to meet up with her boyfriend Derek; he was the opposite of her with blond hair and a tall muscular build, all his features strongly defined.

Amber left her house peeking into her little brother's room and whispering goodnight to the young boy who was already fast asleep. Amber quickly made her way downstairs,  passing her mother who was sipping a cup of tea in the kitchen. She didn't want to wait around knowing her mum would hold her back, so she sped past, grabbed her jacket and ran out, slamming the door shut. Amber didn't even have to hear what her mum had said to know, it was the same thing every time she went out. Amber never understood the real danger behind the forest, it was just some old trees, and tonight she was determined to go and wander around.

She only had to walk five minutes more in the brisk autumn wind that Northern Ontario had to offer, before she would be at Derek's house.

She let her thoughts consume her as she made her way down the last few streets of the town at an amble pace.

She was quickly snapped back into reality at the sound of her own knocks on the front door of Derek's house, which was quickly drawn open and she was greeted by his mum who gave her a short warm hug. Amber loved being around Derek's family because it was a pleasant atmosphere. Although stereotypes would suggest Derek and his family to be arrogant and wealthy, they were quite the opposite. Especially Derek who could be thought of as a self-absorbed jock. But he liked everyone and was fiercely protective over those he cared for; he was also quite smart and inquisitive.

The moment Derek had his jacket pulled on he engulfed Amber in a long bear hug. He said quick goodbyes to his parents and then laced his fingers with Amber's as he firmly shut the door behind them.

"So I was thinking tonight we could-"

"Go and explore the forest!" Amber interjected before Derek could even complete the rest of his sentence.

It was silent for a few moments while Derek processed, leaving Amber to wait for his reply.

"No Amber we can't, we both know what went on in there, so it isn't safe and you know our parents would lose it if they found out," Derek stated like it was something she should already have known.

He is always so rational she thinks to herself. Huffing out a sigh she replied, "How would they find out? And besides we have each other out there, so we will be safe."

"Amber-"

"Please? Derek you know that if you don't come with me I'll just go by myself. You also know it's safer if I don't go alone, but it's your choice," Amber pointed out. Even though she didn't want to guilt him into coming with her, she needed to finally do this and it was easier with someone like him there.

"I... fine. We can go and wander around but only a few hours okay?" Derek hesitantly replied.

"That's perfect! Come on let's go, it'll be fun!" a now giddy Amber replied. They made the short walk to the forest, Amber chatting excitedly the whole way. Once at the forest's edge, all fell silent before they sealed their fate and took their first steps in.

As soon as they entered it was clear that this wasn't like the usual forest you would hear about. It appeared to be tinged grey, and even though it was crowded with trees, they were all dead and decaying. The forest floor was comprised of leaves, all had clearly fallen from the trees and made the forest reek of rot. It was approaching midnight and that didn't help the fact that it was already a naturally dark location. As Amber took one last scan around she realized that there was dense fog streaming around their ankles.

"See, it isn't even bad, quite amazing really," Amber declared, trying to shake the uneasy feeling that was taking over her entire being.

She looked up at Derek for reassurance, but instead was faced with a look of pure horror as he glanced around the area surrounding them.

"Amber I think we should uh, I think we should get out of here. We can go do something else," Derek mumbled stuttering slightly as he did so. 

"No we can't we're already here, let's keep going," Amber replied shortly knowing she would never get to come back if she gave in.

Amber grabbed Derek's hand and dragged him farther into the forest. He reluctantly obliged and continued walking with her while she observed everything in fascination.

They hadn't gotten very far before Derek brought both of them to an abrupt halt due to a snap of a twig.

"Come on Derek, it was nothing. You're just being paranoid now!" Amber whined in annoyance of being stopped yet again.

"No. I know what I heard Amber, so stay put just a second," Derek almost growled back at her. It wasn't even ten seconds later that another branch was undoubtedly snapped. The two teens froze in pure terror. Was there really something out there that could hurt them? Make them go crazy like that kid did? All of these thoughts were short lived, as a small scrawny boy with sandy hair emerged from behind a large tree that had easily concealed him.

First chapter >•<