Secrets of the Jade Forest (a short story) | LET'S MAKE A COLLAGE: Summer Break FreeStyle #3

Reminder, Let's Make a Collage ("LMAC") is on summer break until September 15. In the meantime, members are free to let their imagination soar and freestyle their collages. Rules must still be adhered to. In my collage this week, I wanted to have a bit of fun and go dark by delving into evil deeds. Just a short story I'd like to share to accompany my collage.

The Jade forest. I stood mesmerized by its lush, green beauty. On first glance, the interlocking vines and branches are breathtaking. It had been so for two centuries. Undisturbed. There natural and unnatural forces dwelt. It had been rumored so for as long as I can remember. And my memory is not that old due to the fact that I wasn't allowed to cross the stream and see for myself.

My name is Rosalyia. And what I do know about the Jade Forest is that there exists in that place the wonders to behold. That's according to my grandmother. And I believe everything my grandmother ever told me. So when she silently nodded her approval the week leading up to my sixteenth birthday, I set out on a mission.

Others told me it was foolish. However, the Jade Forest summoned me. The voice soothed me in its appeal for my presence.

Was I afraid? Nope. You see, she prayed over me. Then, she secured about my neck a strange artifact sculptured from her own hands out of rocks and sand retrieved from an abandoned site near the stream.

That night with one hand that refused not to shake, I pulled back the hood of my robe. The other hand bore the box that would collect the wood's treasures and knowledge that the voice promised.

The moon was helpless as I attempted to adjust my eyes to follow the tiny dancing lights from the fireflies.

Crossing the stream, what seemed like a floodlight searching for escaped wrongdoers settled upon my face. My guide. I followed the path it cleared.

I gasped. There before me stood a small skeletal figure with features resembling a woman. Attempting to back away, two of its four hands reached out and grabbed my cloak. Before I could scream, another hand covered my mouth.

My heart raced. I dropped my box. Her hand caressed my face as she whispered unfamiliar words in ear. They spread throughout my consciousness. My body slumped. I felt my feet lifted from the forest bed, then float deeper into the woods. The vines untangled. The trees parted to allow us passage.

Immobilized, I could sense beings standing in the distance. I could see tiny eyes peering from large insects scrambling about. Above, a ghostly figure hovered between the trees. A branch shook as a raven took flight, dripping crimson-color from its beak.

I could hear no sound in her movements as she followed alongside me.

The moon changed from a ghostly blue to dark as we inched closer toward the eerie light. I couldn't tell the direction nor see the inhabitants promised. The stagnant odor, together with rot and decay that filled my nostrils, validated their presence.

Desperate to figure out how to escape the horror, I closed my eyes and willed my grandmother's face appear. The incantations she spoke over me filled my body. I remained still.

Finally, we reached the other side beyond the edge of the woods.

Brilliant lights, dancing trolls, fairies singing, and a wonderland of a forgotten era burst forth.

An angel settled next to me. With a wave of her hand, the skeleton and all who'd accompanied me to this place disappeared.

Could I have escaped? I didn't want to.

She bid all in attendance fill my knowledge box with wonders I'd never imagined. The fairies left gifts, herbs, seed, and potions to heal the sick.

Did I want to escape the horrors of the forest? No. I understood what I was required to conquer to enjoy the fruits of my resolve.

I was now one with the Jade Forest. The weight of its secrets bounds me as I upheld the pact made centuries ago that were only rumored.

To create the collage, I uploaded all images into Canva. I utilized my Annual Pro Membership Subscription to blend the elements. Images from the LIL helped to create the haunting forest scene.

• Girl fantasy in forest at PxFuel

• Fantasy forest at PxFuel

• Ghost by PNGStock at PurePNG

• Blue eye Contributed to the #LIL by @eve66.

• Creature tree branches Contributed to the #LIL by @eve66

• Alien insect Contributed to the #LIL by @eve66

• Alien woman figure Contributed to the #LIL by @mballesteros

• Alien sitting Contributed to the #LIL by @eve66

• Raven in flight Contributed to the #LIL by @redheadpei

I appreciate your visit and hope you like my collage theme.