Flee

My mouth ran dry, my knees trembled. My breaths came in gasps.

Not again. No, no, no!

I sprang up and ran-- a force within me kept me running. How can I be such a fool?

I knew it was too good to be true. I gave in to the distractions and now I must face the consequences.

The sky grew dark in the short span of time I darted from the oak to the patches of leaves and vines of whence I came. I did not look behind. It was no use after all to scare me even more when I can barely keep from tumbling headlong into the dirt. I barely noticed the way the grass limped and the wildflowers lose their sweet aroma as I crushed them. But I did realize how dark it became and felt rain pattering down hard on my back.

I reached the vines and plunged in. They didn't part as easily this time. I panicked and trashed at them and soon I was tangled. Lightning flashed and for a second I saw the vines with slimy, scaly skins writhing and hissing at me with red, sadistic eyes. I screamed with sheer fright. Thunder clapped and I clawed my way through he vines. I landed with a splatter of puddles onto the forest floor.

From behind me came a rustle and the soft, slow and malicious, "Tsk, tsk, tsk.." My eyes grew wide and I hastened to stand up once more. I ran as best I could in that dark slippery underworld.

Then, I tripped.

The mud dragged me down and the rain pushed me harder unto the ground. I opened my mouth to scream. No sound came out. I tasted mud and coughed. Some entered my nostrils as I tried to breath. The pain shot through me. I was out of energy. What more could I do but stay still.

My eyelids grew heavy. My whole body caked in mud felt numb. I fainted then just as the lightning flashed and just as my stalker gave his triumphant grin.

Temptation=Failure=Trouble

My journey started out a success. It is such a sunny day. After a few minutes, I realized how dense the vegetation seemed on that particular part of the road. Thick greenl eaves.

"A forest. How lovely," I said to myself and gave a wide smile. I've always been fond of nature. The further I went, it grew darker. The leaves were blocking the sunlight. A chill ran down my spine. But I shook it off thinking that I shouldn't fear. The path I was taking is safe and it will lead me to the place where I ought to be.

From the thick under bush on my right, I heard a faint gurgling sound. My pace slowed. "It must be a brook," I thought. Without giving a second thought, my feet carried me toward the sound, leaving the safe path I was on.

I pushed the bushes aside, strode over sticks and stones, followed the tinkling rivulet and found, at the end of my trail, a lovely curtain of vines. I see light seeping through them. I took a few more steps closer. I wedged my hands between them as if I was opening the curtains of my bedroom window.

The light was blinding. As my eyes adjusted, I picked out a meadow. It was covered by a lovely carpet of wild flowers. In the middle of this clearing was a tree. A strong sturdy oak. On closer inspection, I saw it on a little island with the passing brook's water forming the little lake. The oak's roots stretched the short distance from the island making a bridge.

I skipped merrily toward the bridge. The path I was on seemed like a distant memory. I sat atop the massive roots and glanced at my reflection. I giggled seeing my hair entangled with leaves and twigs. I began removing them from my long black threads.A cold wind blew. Another tingling feeling. Weird.

As I glanced at my reflection once more, I found another figure next to me. I looked up. There standing beside me was a man with close-set eyes, they were a dazzling blue. He was tall and thin, in a formal shirt, somewhat like a tux without all the tight uncomfortable features. He also had slick black hair and quite a set of gleaming teeth. His handsome, elegant figure made him stand out from the rural scenery.

"Hello," he said in a friendly sort of manner.
"oh, hi'" I replied with a tiny speck of suspicion in my voice. I wondered who he was and how he got close without my noticing.
"I see you're loving the view."
"Oh..uhm, Yes."
"This is my favorite place to relax. And what lovely weather we have today."
I simply nodded. It was awkward and a bit well, frightening, being alone with a stranger who's trying to make small talk.
"Dear, I'm such a fool. I haven't introduced myself yet. Little girl, my name is TEMPTATION."
"uhmm, nice to meet you sir, and I-I'm ...."
"Oh don't bother my dear. I already know who you are. My friend always talked about you."
"And who may I ask is your friend, sir?..."

Just then came a figure from behind the oak. I stood there in shock. FAILURE gave me his widest grin.

The Path that Lies Ahead

Minutes passed.Silence. Why hasn't he come yet?

I approach the door, knees still quivering. I laid my ears upon the wood. It's musty smell tingled my nose. I listened. There are no others sounds from the other side but birds and the breeze rustling the tree leaves.


Could it possibly be true? The signs say 'yes'. In a flash I opened the door. Bright sunlight flooded the room. I've closed all the windows due to my fear of him coming. The light made showed hope.


I stepped out and glanced about. A cool wind greeted my pale face painting the colors back to my cheeks.


AUTUMN has come. Leaves of bright colors of orange, yellow and red nestled on the trees . The season told me one thing- change. A wonderful kind of change. FAILURE didn't come.

With new-found energy, I rushed back into the house. The time has come for my journey to start and I need to pack.



I take with me:

STRENGTH --- to keep me going towards my goals and help me stand back up after a fall;

CONFIDENCE and COURAGE --- to help me face the challenges ahead;

FRIENDSHIP --- a remembrance that I am never alone, that someone will always be in touch and is always ready to help;

WISDOM and GOOD VIRTUES --- the compass to help find the right direction; and

KNOWLEDGE --- my food, though little I have know, I know I shall be able to pick some up along the road. Though some may be a bit hard to swallow but they are still digestible.


I'm done with my baggage. I feel I am ready to face the path that lies ahead.

Meet My Nightmare

The sky is darkening, a storm is brewing.It's a sign.I know he shall come, knock on my door and ruin yet another part of my life like before.

Last year, he "honored" me with his presence. My life had changed due to him.

"Though hesitant, I open the door and there he stands. A peculiar man. Though his physical features were normal enough- an average-sized man with red hair and deep blue eyes- there was something about him that gave me goosebumps.

"Hi showed his menacingly toothy grin, taunting me, then he laughs. A wicked laugh. I try to slam the door shut but it's as if there's this invisible force keeping me from doing it.

"Seeing my distressed face made him cackle, rendering me weaker than before. Confidence and courage stripped away from my poor soul.

"He turns and leaves. Finally I was able to close the door. But his maniacal laughter still echoes the room. He left quite an impression in my mind. I fell like waking from a dream, or actually a nightmare."

Since that day, I knew I'd be seeing him again.

I hate visits from FAILURE. I feel so defenseless against him. He overpowers me using my pessimism and weaknesses as his minions.

He's coming. I know he is. Just around the corner. I begin to tremble. I seem to be glued to the ground. No escape.