LOST

She had wandered out to the woods. Although she had been in this area many times before, she felt turned around and lost as dusk was settling in around her. It was too dark for her to be able to make out known landmarks from other similar objects around them and she wasn't sure how she would make it back home. She was longing for home at the moment, needing the warmth within, the dry comfort of a roof over her head, and needing to feel the softness of her pajamas and warm blankets on her bed. Panic was beginning to set in as it continued to grow darker. When she had journeyed out into the woods she had never meant for this to happen. She had only meant to get some fresh air, put some space between her and the material things and give herself some time to think. She never wanted to worry anyone, just get away from everything for a few moments. Now where was she for all her thinking, alone in the cold with no way to get back to the comfort and warmth. She felt at a crossroad in her life. That crossroad was currently keeping her awake at night and cutting into her school work and social life. There was too much at stake to just take the decision lightly. One path could lead to a new exciting life, and love beyond human possibility. The other path was safe and more traveled, but meant staying close to where she was and settlling on contentment. Was it worth it to take the leap? What if she fell? The pain that would come with the fall would be too much to bare, but the exhiliaration of landing gracefully and having it all was too enticing. At the same time, neither choice came without a consequence, the fact that someone would be hurt. The risky path meant leaving her parents behind and hurting them. Taking the risky path also meant leaving behind the sweet boy whom she was mildly attracted too but was a safe bet. He would stand by her, and would never hurt her. Staying on the safe path meant pain for herself, because she would never get the chance to stretch her wings and fly. Playing it safe would mean never following her dreams, keeping it close to home, of never knowing her true potential. As well, staying on the safe path meant denying her heart of the risk of truly loving someone. Yes she cared for the other boy, and he made her feel safe, but sometimes safe wasn't enough and contentment of being cared for and caring for someone else didn't seem to hold the same meaning as a love full of passion. However, if she never made it back to the path and found her way back home, she may not have a choice either way. The temperature outside was beginning to drop and she wasn't dressed for the lower temperature. She had hoped her parents hadn't been out of town this week while she had been fighting with this decision, now there was no one at home to know how long she had been missing and send someone out to find her if she didn't show back up at the house again. Again, she tried to sit and calm herself, knowing the panic would only make it worse, but being on the verge of losing her cool from the deep set in panic rising in her chest.