The Forest

The Forest(Benjamin Martinez) The Forest


Once there was a small, undiscovered island deep inside the Pacific Ocean. A small community lived upon the beach coastline of the island. Family villages divided the community. No one in the community would dare enter the deep forest that covered the center of the island. It was rumored that the forest was home to vicious savages who ate anyone who was uninvited.

Isaac was the younger brother of Martin. Their parents passed a few years after Isaac was born. Isaac, being six years younger than his brother, was Martin’s responsibility until he was old enough to take care of himself.

One day, Isaac decided that he was tired of depending on his brother for everything. He wanted independence.

'I’m sick of Martin always telling me what and what not to do! I need to leave this community; start a new life, my life,' he thought.

At night, he snuck out of his tent, lighted a torch, and headed off into the dark forest. He had heard the rumors but never believed in them. The thick forest was pitch black. His torch was the only light in the forest, and even then the giant trees still blocked off most of his sight. He started to get frightened. He could feel his hands shaking intensely. He could feel his forehead dripping with sweat.

Suddenly, he heard something move in back of him. “Who’s there?” he asked. He quickly turned and found that nothing was there. The humidity was very high. His torch was about ready to go out when suddenly he saw a small cabin house.

The house looked abandoned. He looked through a window and saw an empty room with a small mattress on the floor. He went inside the house and laid down on the mattress. He was terribly exhausted and needed to sleep.

The rays of light beamed through the window and shined on Isaac’s face. He woke up and got ready to continue exploring, when suddenly he heard a loud screech. He cautiously walked out the door, looking both sides, and slowly went back into the thick forest. Suddenly, a large net fell on him from the trees and captured him. “Help me! Someone please help me!” he yelled. A tall built man came with a spear. He had a bone pierced through his nostrils, a dark tattoo on his face, and long black hair. His eyes were focused straight at Isaac. Isaac was horrified. He always thought the stories about cannibalistic people living among the forest were a myth.

'What are they going to do to me? Are they going to eat me raw, or will they cook me over a fire? Oh my God, someone please help!' he thought to himself. The tall man lowered the net from the tree, unhooked it, and then dragged Isaac behind his back. Isaac was too scared to speak. He wanted to cry but he was in shock. He couldn’t believe he was going to die like this.

After thirty agonizing minutes, they arrived in a small village with teepees everywhere. Isaac’s eyes widened as he observed this community with people that looked relatively like the tall man.

The people of this village spoke in another language that Isaac didn’t understand. Isaac watched them discussing something. 'They are probably trying to figure out how they are going to eat me,' he thought to himself. Suddenly, two large men lifted Isaac and the net and took him to a large cage-like container made out of bamboo. They quickly untied the net and pushed Isaac into it.

He saw a large crowd coming to him and started forming a circle around the container. They stood emotionless in a neat, large circle that surrounded Isaac.

“So there you are,” said a weary voice from behind Isaac. Isaac turned and saw Martin, bloody and bruised. He rushed over to him and started weeping heavily.

“I’m so sorry Martin, I don’t know what I was thinking,” he said panting with tears in his eyes.

“I went into the forest to look for you. Suddenly, I was hit in the back of my head. Next thing I know, I ended up here.”

Isaac starts weeping more rapidly, and he repeats, “I’m so sorry Martin, I’m so sorry…”

Suddenly, Isaac wakes up, back in his cozy tent, next to his sleeping brother. He was panting and sweating. He woke up his brother and said, “I’m so sorry.”