Fiction: Group 4
the whispers sang to their hearts content and was about to doze off when I heard a thump and the canoe
came to a stop.
I could hear the constant crunching of leaves as I climbed off the canoe and traipsed into the forest. I
observed the lush vegetation and towering trees looming over me. Under normal circumstances I would be
frightened by this hazy unknown piece of land, but I was soothed and emboldened by the melodious
whistles ringing ever so loudly in my ears. Was I on the island that was only mentioned in stories? Villagers
back at home used to tell tales of how monsters and carnivorous plants lurked in the shadows of the forests
on this mysterious island, which perhaps, happened to be just a lie after all as I goggled at the stunning area
surrounding me. I stared up at the azure sky, the belligerent sun shining into my eyes, the mist all of a
sudden cleared up. There was an alteration in the atmosphere, the whispers had ceased and I could clearly
hear the winds whip past. My skin tingled with excitement as I sensed a belonging on this peaceful island. I
ventured even further, glimpsing the mosses and ferns smattered across the ground, all sorts of strange
flowers growing out of the crevices between rocks and watched as the unruffled birds perched on the
branches above. I breathed in a gulp of fresh air and nestled myself comfortably next to a rock. However I
was troubled by something deep down, I contemplated really hard and finally realized, there was a cure of all
sickness located somewhere around the lost island according to folklore ; what if I was really standing on top
of this sacred land ? Not only could I save my sister but also the other infected people in the village if I were
to obtain it. I felt a pang of self-righteousness and therefore began my search and exploration.
I hunted through myriad shrubs and ferns and yet all I found were dull grey pebbles and a few specks of
petal. This whole mission was really getting tedious and banal. Just when I was about to give up and head
home, there were huge movements up above the trees. I craned and stared up, thinking that even the birds
took an interest in mocking me, but then a soft music perhaps, played by some sort of flute, began working
their way towards my area.
The trees swayed along, making the whole forest dance with vibrancy.
Overwhelmed by this peculiar phenomenon, I began to tremble with nervousness. Turning around, I ran
towards the way I came from, escaping all this madness. Running as fast as my heart could manage, I
stampeded through the forest like a mad bull, ignoring the forest’s little stunts. After a short while the
shadow of the canoe parked along the lake materialized, my heartbeat increasing dramatically and I charged
towards, but then I felt a bump, At first the pain coursing through my head, then darkness.
I felt a slosh of water across my face and I woke with a cough and rubbed my aching skull. A mild yellow
light flickered beside me, revealing the jagged walls made of clay. There was water leaking from the ceiling
above, dripping on top of my injured head and the ground, making hypnotic tips and taps. The only thing
that was missing was a person, who could've put me in here. The candle next to me soothed my pounding
heart a bit as I tried to recollect what had happened earlier. I recalled bumping into something invisible and
passing out, but that occurred in the forest. Now I was sitting in what seemed like an ancient prison cell.
Nonplussed, I shakily stood up and scanned for an exit, only to find myself confined with nowhere to run.
Chills ran across my spine. "I'm not dying in here!" I mumbled to myself. I fanatically clawed the walls,
hoping to find a contraption of some sort which could lead to my escape. Unfortunately, after several futile
attempts, I was desperate.
I dozed off for a while, thinking what to make of this situation. My family must be agitated to learn of my
sudden disappearance. I lingered over thoughts of my dying sister and the cure, feeling ashamed to just run
off without a message. Startled, I heard voices coming from the other side of the wall. I instantly pressed my
ears against it and listened intently. The murmurs were like warbled messages, piquing my curiosity. I
looked around once again for an exit, there must be a hole or a door. Finally I eyed a middle sized hole in
the corner of the ceiling, where a couple of straggly vines dangled down from it. Without hesitation, I
began climbing. I climbed out cautiously and swerved my head from left to right in case there was danger
lurking nearby. I cautiously hopped down from the wall, once again back in the dense forest. The crickets
sang their own tune and the frogs croaked, welcoming the arrival of nightfall. Most of the place was
engulfed by darkness except for a few specks of light in the distance. Those lights seemed a bit like torches
and the eerie murmurs became more distant. I decided to trail the glows and see where I’d end up. Filled
with unease, I recalled how the villagers told me about strange people inhabiting the lost island.
They were definitely from some cult, if not monks. Draped in red or black robes, they planted their
torches into the ground and formed a circle. One of those people stepped out and began delivering a speech.
I listened carefully as I concealed myself in the thickets nearby.
