The Path Home

You rezz into the pleasant surrounding sounds of birds chirping in the late afternoon sun. You look down your bare toughened feet standing on a pale red gravely path. The path is wide, wide enough to fit a vehicle, thought it seems as though it’s a road less travelled.

You hear the rustle of the knee high grass on the forest floor that borders the path. Your dress flutters with each gust of wind. You look up the path that doesn’t seem to end. You worries slip away, the frown gives away to a smile as you wander up the path, you listen to the birds that continue to move about the forest to your sides, they seem to settling in, the last gasp of playful banter as they find a branch for the nite.

As you wander up the path your red hair sways as you continue your journey. The path seems to look as if it is coming to an end in the closing distance. You notice as you walk the path is ending in a circle, a turning circle it seems, but there doesn’t seem to be a tyre tracks as glance down occasionally, always looking ahead.

You approach the turning circle, you decide not turn around, you notice a small track darting off in the twilight at the edge of the circle, and your inquisitive nature leads you to walk the track, wondering what a new track may lead too.

The tree's are quite close to you the track is narrow, you can feel the dirt in between your toes as you walk the track. The track is straight the light is getting dimmer; the birds have rested for the nite which is closing fast.

You hear the faint sound of water gushing through a fast flowing stream in the distance. You touch the trees as you walk the track the roughened bark you feel in on your finger tips.

The path seems now to taking a bend, the water is louder now you’re getting closer to something your interest is growing, what lies ahead, "no turning back now" you say aloud, thinking your alone as you walk.

Suddenly the path drops, you’re walking down an embankment the stream is right in front of you. You slowly and careful use the tree's to guide your way down to the stream. You breathe a sigh of relief as you stand on the bank near the flowing almost black water; you can see the last light of a setting sun through the trees.

You look to your left, the path continues, you hesitate, and it’s almost dark you’re feeling alone now. However you notice what seems to be a light of camp fire a glow. You keep walking to the left along the bank of the stream.

It seems your journey has been long, you’re growing tired, stress seems to be growing on your face, but determined spirit keeps you going.

The crackle of burning wood can be heard now, excitement is starting to grow a little, and the light is getting brighter. All too suddenly the path on the bank gives away to large open camp area next to the stream.

You walk into it thinking know one is here, you feel a little disheartened. In the centre is a camp fire. It sits in a circle with large flat rocks placed around the fire as if to provide a place for someone to sit.

You decide to sit down, you feel tired your head rest in your lap you can the warmth of the fire, you close your eyes.

Suddenly you feel the warm gentle touch of a hand on your back; you sit up open your eyes. You realise your not alone, all the wonderful people you’ve met sit in the circle with you. The hand moves to your shoulder.

You smile, your not alone any more, people smiling happy to see you, you laugh, joke, happy to see everyone again, still not turning around. You don’t feel threatened. You feel safe, your worldly worries slip away, and you feel like your gaining positive energy from the fire, strength from your friends.

Suddenly you stop and say," Where am I”?

The hand brushes your red hair, people stop talking, a voice says "your in your heart sweetie, you can find us here anytime" you turn look up, the camp fire glows on the face behind you. You say "thanks Ozzie".