One Picture, One Story

Hello Steemit friends!
It’s time for another entry in the “One Picture, One Story” series. Today’s picture inspired a tale of reflection and mystery. Here’s my story:

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The Forgotten Path

Lena stood at the edge of woods and gazed out on to the path that stretched away into unknown. It was an old trail, barely noticeable amongst the thick carpets of leaves and wild shrubs. It wasn’t a path most people followed — few knew it even existed.

But Lena did. She had walked this walk so many times before as a child, when everything in the forest seemed like magic and unicorns could be hiding just behind the trees. Now that I was grown up, standing here, the path felt different. The trees were so tall there, looming above her and casting long shadows, and the wind seemed to whisper through their branches in a language that she’d forgotten.

She hesitated. What used to be a thrill was now ancient history. The way seemed to call to her, but the thought of what was beyond it made the fluttering in her heart grow harsh. She remembered all the days she had played in the forest with her friends, laughing, pretending to have adventures, sharing dreams.

Now, just as the room appeared to do so, it seemed to have swallowed them up. The forest was empty now, and there was only the echo of memories that Lena wasn’t sure she could bring back. Buh there was a thing in her chest, and it flickered with hope that told her to move forward, to seek what had been lost.

With a deep breath, she took the first step, ready to face the forgotten path once again.

Author: @anthony002
Category: One Picture, One Story
Mentions: @suboohi & @dove11