The Secrets of the West Side Forest

When All Else Fails... and the Hallucination Sets In

Isabella's POV:

I crawled into bed around three in the morning, but I knew that sleep would not come.

What was it that this boy wanted from me... Why would someone that just took off one minute, open up to a complete stranger?

Did he trust me with his biggest secret? Or did he want me to tell people?

I wanted to help him so badly... but he seemed like the guy who wanted nothing to do with anyone else.

I collected any water, and food and decided that in the morning I would go back and give it to him.

Xander's POV:

I woke up to her gone, expected... To think that someone like her would spend more time then she needed with a guy like me?

I decided to go out and get food before it got too hot out.

I walked back through the tent to see food and water... actual food, when I turned around she was sitting on a log by a fire.

"What are you doing here? And why did you bring that?" I said pointing to it, I knew that I had made a mistake when I said that but it was too late.

"Oh it's nice to see you too, oh your welcome by the way," She retorted and got up. "You know some people would actually appreciate this."

"Well I'm not some people, I'm also not your charity case... so you can just stop alright."

"Okay seriously what is your problem," She walked away before I could say anything.

This was not going the way I thought, I did't even know why I had acted that way, it's not like she did anything wrong.

Ugh. Maybe I just don't want to let someone in, could it be that maybe I'm actually liking someone for once.

Isabella's POV:

What was wrong with him, I mean I know I am not one to judge, but I didn't get it. Why did it bother him so much that I wanted to help him out?

Was he afraid to let someone in... wait why does this bother me so much, I barely even knew him... but something made me wonder...

Now I'm being stupid. "Ahhh" I screamed at the sky and took off into the woods. 

Xander's POV:

The night was getting cold and I was beginning to wonder if she would ever come back... Where did she run off to, should I go after her?

Isabella's POV:

Something about the cold air in the dark woods was so inviting. What was I saying... I was lost I was scared... No I loved it for once not knowing what would come next... That is until it consumed me.

The West Side Forest... Home to many creatures of sort, kind of like you. 

Ha, that's funny... i'm not a creature... I'm a human right?

Impatient creature you are, for if you would just shut up and listen to me!

This voice has an anger issue. I laughed at the two voices in my head. Something wasn't right, but why did it matter? Why not embrace the different for once.

You don't really know why your hear do you? Your daddy didn't come because he wanted to... he came because he had to, because of you.

Leave my father out of this you stupid voice that mocks my lack of intelligence. 

Hey, I was very intelligent and they had no right to talk about my father... Now I was getting mad, but I had no control over this. It was like I was watching and there was nothing else I could do about it. 

It's time you listen and let me take it from here for once.

"Girl that tried to help me! Are you out here?"

Ugh not that stupid boy, why did you have to go and get yourself caught up with this town's pathetic drama.

Hey, I want to have a life you know... it's not all about what you want.

I laid there on the forest floor for what seemed like days, listening in on the conversation of these voices before I heard him call out to me.

He picked me up and brought me back to the tent... and that was the last thing I remembered before everything blacked out. 

Xander's POV:

I wandered the forest till I tripped over something that led me to her. She looked half concious, still breathing but murmering words back and forth.

I didn't know what was wrong... it was almost like she was having an argument with herself.

I set her down and went outside to make a fire, to give her some privacy. There was something different about this girl. No one I had ever known had stuck around long enough to get to know someone like me.

I closed my eyes and let the night tuck me in to bed.