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A Midforest Night's Dream

by Ann Li

Someone, help me! I heard the distinct cry from a distance. I ran in the general direction of the

voice, when my instinct was urging me to run the other way. What kind of a person would be outhere at this ungodly hour? Except for me, obviously. But Im weird in that way, anyway. Please!As I neared the voice, I noticed that it sounded very young. Too young. Almost as if it were

A small boy came into view, hugging his knees; his chin on top of his hands, his face distorted inagony. Please he whispered as he rocked himself back and forth. I hesitated. He hasnt seen meyet. I can still leave.

One look at his face. Thats all it took. I came out of the shadows clearing my throat. Cant scarehim away now, can we?

What is it? Maybe I can help, I tried to soften my voice. It wasnt much, but it was animprovement. For me.

My sister. Help Please

Where is she? Did something happen?

Quiet followed my question. Fine. Be it that way.

Show me He would tell me what had happened one way or another. I couldnt leave him allalone here, crying his eyes out, until he met with something worse. With a sigh I motioned for himto move.

I was following the little boy as silently as I could, cursing every time I stepped on branches or dryleaves. There was something strange about him that I couldnt put my finger into, but it didntmatter. For now. It would probably keep me up at night until I figured it out.

The boy abruptly stopped and crawled inside a fairly small hole under a picketed fence. And guesswhat? The hole I was telling you about? Too small. I wont fit. Brat. Well, I can always go over it, Isuppose, but Damn! I liked that shirt.

Sometimes Im really surprised with myself. Following someone I dont know, climbi ng stupidfences Lets just say its not my idea of fun. So, why am I doing this again? Cause youre a sucker

for guilt trips. Shut up! Pause. You do realize youre having a discussion with yourself right?

Right You know, its not a good sign when you a rgue with yourself. Well, I inwardly smirked, itsnot so bad. Its when you argue with yourself and lose thats bad. And Im in no danger of that. Imentally patted myself on the back for the nice come-back. Isnt it too early for the honeymoon,

princess? Hey, is that sarcasm?! Now I have to deal with a sarcastic, stuck- up No, wait Thatsme. I rolled my eyes at the seer stupidity of the moment and smoothed my clothes in the otherside of the fence.

I started walking in the general direction of Hold it. Wheres the brat? Thats what you get for trying to deal with your inner voices Where can he be now? I parted my lips to call him when Irealized that I didnt even know his name. Brilliant. Im officially a genius. Just call me Sherlock.

I exhaled slowl y trying to control my temper and turned around to search for him. Maybe hes stillin that hole. It is fairly small. A thought crossed my mind and I froze. What if he cant get out and was stuck in the hole and suffocated? Or worse. What if his sister is in there and he is trying to tell

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me that? Nah. He would have said something if that were the case. There has to be somethingelse.

Follow me. The voice came from behind me, startling me. I whirled around angrily, intent ongiving him a piece of my mind, but stopped. Had you seen the misery that marred his face andthose haunted eyes -eyes that did not suit such a small child- you would have stopped, too.

I motioned for him to go on and tailed him. He made sure I was following and proceeded veryslowly. We neared some bushes and he motioned for me to stop. I went to stand beside him, tosee what he was seeing and I froze for a second time. The bushes were the only thing separating usfrom what appeared as a chaotic abyss. Do the wrong move and your life ends. My eyes widenedas I processed that thought. So, his sister was Wow.

What happened?

She fell.

How?

She jumped

Why?

Shrug. Help me, please? he asked in a little voice.

Ugh. Thats why I hate children. They stare at you with their big pl eading eyes and you have nochoice. You know, it's a sad thing that the only time I actually agree with you, I'm staring death inthe eye. ... Sure.

Thank you. A sad little smile appeared on his face. He extended his hand and I enclosed it in mymuch b igger one. Lets go find her.

And we were falling.

I opened my eyes terrified, my heart beating so fast, as if trying to escape my ribcage. I calmedsoon, realizing it was a dream. I breathed out a sigh of relief and got up awkwardly from myposition on the forest floor. Thank God it was all a dream.

And then I heard it. A small voice calling

Someone, help me! Please!