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.