The path was overrun, and the worsening rain had made the forest treacherous. Abigail trudged onwards, walking laterally across the hillside, each footstep sliding in the wet mud. Her smock was nearly soaked through, barely protecting her from the water pouring in through the canopy. Ferns and trees swallowed the last of the beaten path, leaving a dead end in Abigail’s way.
She looked backward. Her tour guide told her to go this way to get help, but the dead end made her heart race. She’d been walking for what felt like hours, but what had really been around twenty minutes.
Tears welled up in her eyes, the confusion and frustration mounting into an insurmountable anxiety. She beat her hand against a tree beside her, the rough wet bark sliding under her fist.
Head down and sniffling, Abigail pondered what exactly she should do. She wasn’t even sure that turning back now would get her back to her group, and they’d be disappointed if she returned without help.
A flash of green flickered in her peripherals. A small leaf stood itself erect on her hand. A head gingerly poked itself around the leaf, its face full of worry.
“A-a-a forest sprite?” Abigail struggled through quivering breaths.
“Miss is upset? How can we help?” The forest sprite placed its hand on hers.
Bursts of green emerged all around, as more and more sprites popped into the material realm.
“I’m l-l-lost. I have no way to get home and I-I-I need t-t-to get help for my friend.” Abigail rubbed her eyes, her cheeks and face red and puffy.
“We can help, miss. Follow us!” The sprite pointed north, and the others assembled into a swarm, marching together through the boggy mud. The ball of green brought a smile to Abigail’s face, and she felt a wave of relief wash over her as her new friends chaperoned her through the woods.
Today's prompt: no way to get home
If you'd like to participate too, the contest can be found here: @mariannewest/day-1571-5-minute-freewrite-tuesday-prompt-no-way-to-get-home