Chapter Text
The sun kissed leaves dangled gently off the tree branches, breezing down Todd’s blazer. The forest was covered by an auburn tint, as silent as a nymph. The leaves crunched softly beneath his shoes. Solar beams streamed across the trees, and a sigh let out of him. The first day was done — the seconds had turned to minutes, and then to hours. His eyebrows fell as his head did, a faint drumming on his pocket.
Autumn, it was close. The days only breezed by, bringing steaming tea, studying, and crimson leaves closer.
He gazed up, blinded by the sun. Still, he stood, all while squinting. An overgrown path took his focus, small flowers dancing in the wind, building up a path. Todd followed mindlessly, grasping onto his book bag. Petal after petal, as tight as poison ivy, leading to scattered planks and screws. Todd hesitated, his eyes darting around before continuing.
Minutes passed, and forth he came to a small bushy gate, almost entirely covered with vines. The sunlight pierced through, seducing him to come forward. Within the secluded meadow, guarded by tall crisp trees, a theatre scene stood. Water-damaged planks, ivy growing down the head of it, and torn curtains. It was like a fever-dream, eerie and unfamiliar.
Todd breathed, backing off by a step, his legs stood planted close to each other like a shield. Strange. It was strange. A shaky breath exhaled before he reluctantly walked closer, noticing the harshly conditioned furniture. Velvet armchairs, small round french-inspired tables, fancy lamps… they looked like they had been smashes to pieces. Crimson pools had absorbed into the wooden planks, covered by shattered glass from the light bulbs and wine glasses.
Todd took a step back, staring with heavy breaths before running back to the ivy entrance. The vines had locked together, creating a wall. The silence was deafening, except for the faint sound of crows. Todd turned around to a light emitting out of the mellow daisies building the path. His ocean eyes followed it, before reaching for the book he grabbed from the library, hidden in his bag, and tore at the locked gate. It opened with reluctance, and fast he ran back to Welton Academy, unable to catch his breath as his mind spun like he was on psychedelics.
Crazy, he was definitely crazy.