Bethink | J. Voorhees

000; father forgive me, for i have sinned

"They say children are the future, but we're dying way too young."

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It is believed that children are the epitome of innocence and the beauty that they are able to possess within it. Humans believe themselves to be on top of their game and nothing in their world would ever be able to achieve the same greatness as they had. Still, true innocence will always lie within the children. The future of a society that despite its claims would never be as open-minded as it claimed itself to be. As the morning dew clung to fern leaves and clouds hid the rising sun from view it could be shown through a blur of yellow the happiness of a child lost in the world of imagination.

It was far too early for even the creatures of the forest had yet to fully awaken, but as bell-like laughter bounced between the trees they too began to stir in their dens. The cool morning air of New Jersey burned within her lungs as the young girl ran. Her blonde locks twisted into wild curls as they found themselves caught in the breeze. She laughed again bare feet digging into the softened dirt of the forest bed and quickly she came to a halt. Her small chest heaving, an attempt to intake more air than her small frame could handle. She pursued her lips as she turned around only to once again break out in a smile revealing the gap in her teeth from where she had lost one just three days prior.

"Hurry up Jase! I really want you to see this!" The young girl beamed as she called out to the younger boy who was struggling to keep up with the energetic blonde. Even though she was only older by eight months she would always use it as a ploy to be the leader, though older or not her friend was not one to have any desire to take charge in any situation. Despite her legs begging her to break out and run again, she opted to bounce in her spot as she waited for her friend to catch up.

"I love you Jason, but remind me we need to work on your running." The young girl released another laugh as she grabbed her friend by the hand once he had finally caught up to her. She, of course, meant nothing by her statement, the latter part not the beginning. Then she was running again, this time just a bit slower as Jason attempted not to trip over his own feet or any protruding tree roots.

He hadn't the slightest clue where she was taking him, only that his mother hadn't even awoken yet when Hazel managed to sneak into his room and rush him to get up. She had only spoken a few words of how she had been exploring in the woods and that she found something she wanted him to see. Jason knew it was better not to question how long Hazel had been up and just how early she had ventured out into the wild.

Finally, there was a break in the densely packed trees, and with a few more seconds of sprinting towards it, the young duo found themselves in a secret meadow far into the forest. The sight of bright red cardinal flowers flooding the ground and their scent filling the air was beautiful. Both children were gasping for air as they took in the sights around them.