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ecotone99 · 5 years ago

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[SP] The Girl of Amber Forest

Taylor had a mixtape for this type of scenario, although they didn’t think they’d end up using it. Walking over fallen branches, rocks and scarlet leaves, Taylor put on their “aesthetic” playlist and slipped in their light-blue ear buds after attempting to untangle them. It was a luminescent Sunday morning, making the amber forest look a bit more orange than usual, fitting the autumn season. They looked up to see the towering birch trees swaying in the wind. Taylor was practically swimming in leaves, forcing them to take large strides and drop their foot straight down to avoid stepping on any unseen objects. A gust of wind blew the hood off of Taylor’s face, and they wondered why they only brought a sweater. The “aesthetic” playlist was used for heartbreaks and sad occasions- in this case it was the former. Their relationship with Rachel lasted over a year, and yet ended so abruptly. Taylor still had lingering questions, but knew none of them would ever be answered. She was long gone at this point, and they knew that. It was unfair, and frustratingly so, yet so painful as well. Taylor felt themselves holding back tears. A sudden song change brought Taylor out of their trance. They caught something moving in the corner of their eye, and looked left to see a Fennec fox gazing back at them. They stopped, and stared at each other for a moment, but Taylor blinked first and the fox scurried off. Finally looking around, they noticed that their setting was unfamiliar. Yeah, maybe Taylor hadn’t been in this forest since childhood, but they were still able to recognize landmarks near the entrance of the forest. Everything around them now was incredibly foreign. “It’s official,” Taylor said to no one in particular. “I’m hella lost.”

Taylor eyed a clearing in the forest and found themselves walking over a rocky terrain. There was no use going back the way they came, since they had forgotten how many turns they took while lost in thought. The best solution at the moment seemed to be finding a hill and getting their bearings, or at the very least some cell reception. Taylor sighed and started walking forward. They stopped short after almost stepping on a small, purple and yellow lizard that had sped under their feet. They stopped short again when a girl popped out of the bushes seconds later.

The two froze and eyed each other silently. This girl, while wearing otherwise everyday attire, had a large pointed hat on that took up a little under half her body length. Without the hat, she might be up to Taylor’s shoulder. She had strawberry hair and hazel eyes, and her face was small, kind of cute. In her hand she held a small, clear Mason jar. The girl, coming out of her daze, gave a contagious smile. “I guess the lizard got away from me, huh?” Taylor turned their head to catch a glimpse of the critter dive into a small crack in the rocks. “Yeah, I guess it did,” They responded, still studying the girl. “Actually, since I found you, can you give me directions back to town? I’ve never been to this part of the woods before and I don’t think I know where I am.” The girl straightened and turned in a circle, eying the surroundings. She focused on a nearby pine tree, and then started moving her finger as if counting something. Taylor looked in the direction she was pointing, but couldn’t tell what she was looking at. “Well,” the girl finally responded. She focused back on Taylor and bounced from one foot to the other. “I have good news and bad news.” She pointed behind them and Taylor spun around to see a boulder in an oddly curved shape, like a C. “The good news is I know where we are- at Crescent Hill. The bad news is I’m not sure which way the city is, either.” She motioned in the general direction behind her. “But my house isn’t far off from here, I could see if I’ve got a map in there or something.” Taylor breathed out slowly. It really was a mess of a situation, not much help for their cause, but this girl probably was their best way of getting home. “Yeah, that’d be great. Thanks.” The girl spun around and shuffled back through the bushes, grabbing her hat as to not catch it on anything. Taylor stood there, and waited. She didn’t say how long she would be, but they assumed it would only be a few minutes. Taylor was preparing to sit down before the girl appeared again, popping her head through the bushes. “You coming, or what?” “Huh?” Taylor responded instinctively. “Well, I can’t just leave someone stranded, especially someone who asked for my help,” The girl sang. “Come on! I can make you something to eat.”

The two of them walked slowly together. Taylor noticed that the forest seemed to be getting more saturated as time passed- the leaves on the ground were like walking on a painting. The girl walked beside them, balancing on logs and floating from one rock to the next. It was a bit childish, they thought, but she seemed to be having fun. Taylor looked down at their feet as they walked, and Rachel started invading their thoughts. “So,” The young girl broke the silence. “I never got your name.” “Oh, uh,” they muttered, startled. “It’s Taylor. And I don’t think I got yours, either.” “Ah, of course.” Still hopping on moss-covered rocks, the girl turned to them and grinned. “My name is Aria.” “Aria,” Taylor repeated. Like water. It was an interesting name, one they’d only heard from fairytales. “Nice to meet you.” “Likewise.” Aria ducked under a low-hanging branch. “So, what brings you to the Amber forest, anyway?” This question. Taylor didn’t feel like giving a direct answer. “Just feeling down is all.” They spotted a wooden ladder from behind a tree up ahead. “Is that it?” “Yep!” Aria sped up and went in front of them, taking large strides as if weightlessly moving through the air. She stopped at the clearing and turned around, waiting for them to approach. It was a treehouse, Taylor realized, and an interesting one at that. The door was oval-shaped, and two windows that kind of looked like eyes sat on either side of it. The porch was full of pinned-up papers, pots with small plants and an overflowing collection of sweaters. The ladder barely qualified as a ladder, seeming more like long sticks with planks of wood haphazardly attached. The 10 or so wind chimes serenaded the outside of the house. Aria looked up at Taylor. “It’s probably best I tell you this now, before we actually enter the house: I am a witch, and I do know magic.” Taylor blinked. “That explains the hat, at least.” Aria seemed confused. “You’re very nonchalant about this. Usually when people find out they go ballistic.” “I got a vibe from you,” Taylor answered. “If you wanted it to be a big deal you could have made it one. But, how do I know for sure?” Taylor gave her a half-smile. Aria grinned right back and, as if preparing for that question, rose off the ground and floated to the porch of the treehouse. The leaves by her feet danced in the radiating air. Taylor stared for a moment, taken aback. It definitely answered their question. They climbed up the ladder, almost tripping once or twice, and entered the house with Aria.

She wasn’t kidding about the inside. Taylor first eyed a desk full of flasks of different liquids. There were stacks of old paper above and beside the desk, and to the left of it was a shelf full of mason jars with a horse skull sitting on top of it. There was a small kitchen, with a set of china teacups she seemed to be very proud of. Beside a window were aquariums, a recliner, a branch-lamp, and, a PlayStation. Okay. Aria put on a pair of slippers and trotted over to the counter. She pulled out a loaf of rye bread and a silver knife. “Is egg salad okay?” She asked. “Yeah, that’s fine. Quite the place you got here.” Taylor took a seat on a side of the couch and swiveled their body to watch Aria work. “Hey, being a witch and all, couldn’t you have just magic’d up a map?” Aria looked up at them and raised her eyebrows. “I can’t create man-made objects, only things found in nature. But I feel like you knew the answer to that.” Perhaps they did, but that was okay. They couldn’t deny they were curious about the inner workings of magic, and interested in this girl. Maybe Aria was worth sticking around with.

The two of them ate together in front of the TV- Aria finished up the chapter of a book while Taylor borrowed her PlayStation. Arriving at a section break, Aria hovered in the tea set and poured her and Taylor each a cup. They exchanged small talk- by the end of lunch Taylor had learned her favorite type of music- lo-fi- as well as her age, which was about 273 (although she didn’t look a day over 20). Once Taylor finished a level they paused the game and turned to Aria. “If you remember, I was promised a map, or directions back to the city.” Aria’s smile reached her ears. “I’ve got another solution,” She teased. Indiscriminately setting down her plate, she leapt from the couch, shuffled through drawers in her desk and returned holding a small, pocket-sized compass. “Hold this, and come with me.” Aria grabbed Taylor’s hands and hoisted them off of the couch and into the middle of the room, then placed the compass in their palm. Taylor watched as Aria ran back to the desk, grabbed a bottle, screwed a spray cap on and returned to their side with an infectious grin. She reached for her hat and slid it on, then looked up at Taylor. “This makes it feel official.” Aria readied the spray bottle in front of her, seemingly at nothing. “I’ve never tried this before, so let me know if you see anything,” She said, not taking her eyes off the invisible target. She sprayed the liquid twice, and the room shifted. There was a blinding light, though Taylor could still see themselves and Aria clearly. When the white faded Taylor found the two of them floating on nothing, seemingly suspended in air. Looking down they could see Amber forest, and Aria’s treehouse. Taylor started to panic, looking around frantically as if taking in too much information, started to sweat- and felt Aria wrap around their arm. “It’s okay,” she soothed them. “We’re still in the room. This is just a projection.” Taylor looked at Aria, who smiled back at them. They stood for a moment, taking in the scenery. The afternoon sun wrapped the Amber forest in a sunny blanket, making the treetops sparkle and dance. Taylor could feel the breeze ride along their skin, and yet was not cold at all. It truly was breathtaking. Aria pointed off to the left, drawing Taylor’s attention. “Is that your city over there?” Taylor could make out buildings and houses, and then the iconic city hall they lived a few minutes away from. “Yeah, it is,” They responded. “Great! What direction is that?” Taylor finally understood. They looked down at the compass, still in their right hand, and faced it towards the city. “Northwest,” they read out. And just like that, the room reappeared. Taylor gently floated down to their body. “Alright! All you need to do is follow that direction and you’ll be home in no time.” Aria sailed over to her desk and set the bottle down, but stopped short and looked at Taylor when she noticed they were still motionless. “Hey, are you okay? That wasn’t too much, right?” Aria looked at them, concerned. Taylor turned to Aria, a smile slowly forming. “Too much? That was incredible.”

* * *

Taylor found themselves wandering through the forest again the following evening. They weren’t used to coming home to a now vacant house, having only their music and thoughts as company. It was lonely- Rachel used to bring so much life to the apartment that it felt like a foreign place now that she was gone. Taylor continued southeast, losing their footing every now and then thanks to the shadows the trees cast during sunset. They wanted to see Aria again, and couldn’t quite put their finger on why. Sure, magic was incredible and Aria herself was remarkable, but maybe Taylor just wanted someone to be with tonight.

Aria was on her porch when Taylor arrived. She was looking at the scenery, lost in thought, but when she noticed them she smiled and motioned for them to come inside. Taylor put their hand in front of their mouth, hiding a goofy smile. After struggling even more with the “ladder”, they found the door left open for them. “Welcome, Taylor!” Aria sang. “What brings you here?” Taylor shuffled side to side. “I’m not sure, honestly. I went through a break up a few days ago, and kind of just wanted someone to chill with.” “Ah,” Aria stepped closer. “So that’s what you weren’t telling me yesterday?” “Wh- you knew?” “Sure I knew, you weren’t very good at hiding it,” She responded. “But I don’t pry- If I needed to know you would have told me.” Taylor didn’t realize they were that transparent. Or maybe it was this girl in particular that saw through them. They wouldn’t be surprised. Aria glided over to the counter and brought Taylor a small glass filled with a red liquid. “I want you to have this.” Taylor took the glass from Aria and spun it softly, making the liquid twirl inside it. “It’s a potion for levitation, or it should be, at least. I usually design different potions depending on boys or girls, but you aren’t either so I had to improvise.” Aria smiled up at them and Taylor had to hide their face. “Th-Thank you.” They took a small sip and studied it, opening and closing their mouth quickly. “Tastes like fruit punch.” “What do you feel?” Taylor thought for a moment. “I feel lighter,” They answered, before hopping in place experimentally. They didn’t land, however- instead, their feet hovered right above the floor. They bobbed up and down, sometimes bobbing a little too close to the ground, but it was working. Taylor stared down in awe, and then looked up at Aria, beaming. “This is amazing.” Taylor sailed above the floor, as if ice skating. A smile burst across Aria’s face as she started hovering herself. “I’m just glad it works. I’ll teach you how to make them sometime, they make chores so much more convenient.”

“Are you staying here overnight?” Aria asked, preoccupied with dish duty. Evening had come and gone, and the two moved weightlessly while cleaning up from dinner. “I was thinking about it, if it’s alright with you.” Taylor picked up plates from the couch and brought them to the sink, noticing on the way that they ate a large fraction more than Aria did. “Of course it’s alright with me! Lemme finish up what I’m doing and I can set up beds.” The soap slipped out of Aria’s hand and flew practically halfway across the room before it stopped moving midair. Aria managed to catch it, and after slowly hovering it towards her took hold and finished up the last of the dishes. It was half past 11 by the time things started to settle down. Taylor grew tired, and deciding to call in early, dimmed the lights of the surrounding lamps. Aria, finishing another chapter, turned off the lights completely. “Go to sleep,” She soothed, a soft smile blooming. “My eyes are able to see in the dark.” “Suit yourself.” Taylor fell asleep to the soft murmur of crickets outside.

* * *

Taylor sat up a couple hours later. The room was dark, placing the moon as the only source of light. The clock read 3 AM, but Taylor was wide awake. Their mild insomnia forced them to be a light sleeper, but it had been about 3 hours since they closed their eyes- the longest they’d been asleep in a while. Taylor looked over at Aria, who had taken a spare cot. She was motionless, lying on the side facing the couch. Taylor could hear her breathing- her voice sounded unusually raspy. Her hat, they noticed, had taken residence on top of the branch-lamp. Taylor got up, tiptoed around the room and made their way to the front door. They heard Aria cough before shutting the door behind them. The air was crisp, and cool. Taylor could make out the faint glimmer of city lights from beyond the treetops, and the dim glow of fireflies hovering above Crescent Hill. Taylor didn’t realize how much they’d missed this- nature, the forest, everything. Visiting Aria and the Amber forest held a sense of serenity, and Taylor felt at home out here. They spied a wooden chair in the corner of the porch and, planning to stay out there a bit longer, grabbed a stack of interesting looking papers and sat down. The moon provided enough light to make out the contents, but only in a certain position. A lot of them were barely legible scribbles taking the form of notes, the others some kind of recipe or study. Taylor continued to shuffle through them, briefly reading passages from each page, before they came to a page unlike the others. It looked like a doctor’s note. Taylor wasn’t an expert in science and biology, but there were words they recognized. Aria’s name and the date were positioned top left- the note was from almost 3 months ago. They kept reading. Malignant. Illness. Fatal. Written time and time again. At the bottom of the page it gave a time: Expected Mortality: Three Months. Taylor’s head shot up when they heard the door creak. Aria stood there, crying silently. She gave Taylor a weak, insincere smile. “I should have told you earlier, I’m sorry.” Taylor couldn’t get a sentence out before they started sobbing.

Neither of them got any sleep for the rest of the night. Aria explained her situation- how it was some sort of genetic infection, she had just gotten it earlier than expected. How she tried to stall it, but all her magic did was prevent her from getting weaker. Taylor, while listening to Aria, kept catching their mind wander. They seemed to be in more pain than Aria herself, all things considered. It was agony, losing two people in such a short amount of time. “I think I want you to have this.” Aria spoke softly that following morning, as if not to wake something that wasn’t there. “Have what?” “This. All of this.” She spread her arms, gesturing to the entire room. “Without an owner, everything in here would just be collecting dust.” Aria chuckled to herself. “Not to mention all my potions and ingredients would go to waste.” “Oh,” Taylor stared blankly ahead. “I’d be happy to. Does that mean I’d get to wear your hat?” Aria smiled at them. “Of course! That’ll make it official.” Taylor unconsciously chuckled back, but they were already lost in thought.

* * *

Taylor’s mixtape came in handy over the next two days, as well. Them and Aria spent the remaining days together, cooking breakfast, going swimming and collecting rare ingredients. Though she was trying to hide it, Taylor could tell Aria was getting weaker as time went on. She was eating less, and started going to sleep earlier than they were.

On the first day of the new month Taylor awoke to Aria coughing up blood. She staggered for a moment, almost hitting the ground before Taylor managed to catch her. Aria could barely speak. “I think it’s time for me to go,” She whispered. Taylor felt tears well up, and pulled her into an embrace. “Don’t go.” They buried their face in her shoulder. “Please don’t go…” “I don’t think it’s something I can help,” Aria smiled softly before weakly coughing again. “But for what it’s worth, I’m really glad I met you. I’m glad you were my last friend.” “No!” Taylor was pleading at this point. “I don’t have to be! I… I’m not ready for you to leave.” They stifled another sob. “Hey,” Aria whispered, brushing a hand against their face. “I won’t be gone, not fully. You’ll still be able to find me.” Aria placed her palm against their cheek. Taylor felt pins and needles where her hand rested, before the feeling spread throughout their body, then vanished instantly. “I’ll see you in your dreams, okay?” Aria closed her eyes, and her hand went limp.

* * *

Taylor played the “aesthetic” playlist on a speaker set. Learning how to hover objects early on, they were able to bring over some of their favorite belongings from the old apartment. Deciding to leave the rest for another day, however, Taylor turned off the speakers and rubbed their eyes. Shifting from dusk to night, the moon was bright, like a makeshift lightbulb. Taylor was exhausted. They felt numb, and their eyes were red from tears. They decided to call it a night and threw the hat over the branch-lamp after turning it off. Murmurs of whindchimes and crickets flowed through the open window, and a cluster of fireflies surrounded Aria’s bed in the ground beneath the treehouse. Taylor sighed, closed their eyes, and prepared to visit her for the first time.

(Inspired by In Love With A Ghost)

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