Rest

October 20, 2024

The moss on the forest floor is cool and damp under Elaines feet. Her shoes have been long discarded and there were bruises and blisters outlining where they had once been. Sweet relief washes over her as the coolness seeps into the aching soles of her feet. The journey has been long and strenuous and now that she is in her section of the forest, she finally felt safe. She still has a few more miles until reaching home, but this part of the forest she knew; this part of the forest was hers. The blissful smell of pines fills her lungs and brings her a peace she hasn’t experienced in years. Prior to this trip, she had never been away from home this long. Before she knew it, she found herself laying in the moss, allowing the cool dampness to soak into her back through the knit of her sweater. Goose bumps covered her whole body and she breathes in the scent of the pines again, falling asleep, finally able to rest.