This place is amazing! Turning as she walked next to Jessica, Shayera took in the vibrant colors of the jungle, the sounds and scents so different than she’d ever encountered. Parrots flew overhead among other flashy birds of all sizes. Flowers and plants seemed to draw her they were so beautiful and strange. She had read about places like this but those words paled in comparison to the actual wonders.

After walking awhile, the jungle canopy began shifting into more of a forest. The air wasn’t quite as moist but enough bright green moss covered the trees and rocks. The colors weren’t as many but still as vibrant as in the canopy, bright greens and browns surrounded her. Shayera couldn’t help but gaze straight up the towering trees that seemed to go on and on into the heavens, their trunks so wide that she couldn’t hope to reach around them. She could hear the animals but none had shown themselves. Probably afraid, she thought, understanding their fear.

With a high pitched squeak/cry, Shayera fell flat on her hands, almost kissing dirt. Except for bruised knees and frayed nerves, she was okay. Having been so engrossed in her surroundings, she forgot to pay attention to where she was walking and missed the enormous tree root. She sat up and looked sheepishly next to her, expecting to hear Jessica’s laugh at her girly squeak. Then she noticed the lack of bright daylight. “Jessica, it’s getting dark. Don’t you think....” Shayera’s voice trailed off as she twirled around, searching frantically for her friend. Jessica was no where in sight. “Jessica!!” Her lonely shout echoed endlessly off the forest walls. Trying to calm her racing heart and rising panic, she sat on the root behind her. She had to think, but nothing would come. “Jessica!!!!!!”