The Way Home

My current blog background is temporary for the month of November. I'm so excited to change it to a wintry/Frozen background when December comes along - and it's literally right around the corner!

For your enjoyment, a short story!

Hazel was lost again. Despite her father's warnings, she had wandered from the path once more. She had been so sure that she could shorten the long path home by cutting through the trees. It had seemed so direct...

"Oh father," she whispered shakily. "What have I done?" Her fear made her want to cry. The autumn woods were darkening quickly and every little rustle in the leaves made Hazel's skin prickle.

A branch snapped overhead and Hazel gasped. She ran for the nearest tree and cowered behind its wide trunk. She pulled her knees up to her chin and began to sob.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," she whispered over and over. "...so sorry..."

A gentle touch on her shoulder brought Hazel out of her tears. She looked up, wide-eyed, and blinked.

Someone like a man knelt beside her. Clothed in rainbows and glowing with golden light, he smiled kindly down at her.

"Follow me," he said. He took Hazel's hand and pulled her to her feet. Then the man disappeared and in his place were little flames of golden light, floating in the air all around Hazel. She reached out and touched one hesitantly. The flame flared at her touch and Hazel jumped back, surprised. Then she smiled and touched another. And suddenly, the little flames grew into people - young men and young woman who appeared to be her age. They were dressed in white and glowed, though not as brilliantly as the man had. Hazel gasped and stared at them in wonder.

A young woman stepped forward and took Hazel's hand. The others began to walk ahead and the young woman led Hazel behind them.

They had only taken a few steps before Hazel recognized where they were. The path was just ahead!

"I know my way from here," she told the young people when they had all stepped onto the path. She turned toward them and smiled through tears. "Thank you," she said.

One by one, the young people extinguished as if they were candles and a giant breath had blown them out. The young woman was last to leave. She smiled at Hazel.

"Trust your father," she said. "He knows what's best for you. Though the path may seem long, it is the only Way home."

Hazel looked away from the young woman's gaze, feeling deeply ashamed for disobeying.

The young woman touched Hazel's arm and said, "Your father has forgiven you. Now go in peace." Then she disappeared like the others, but Hazel was not left in darkness. For when she looked up, the silver moon was full and shining down on her, lighting her way home.