The Trees – Part 1

By J. B. Sisam | © 2009 All Rights Reserved 

            A deep, thick and heavy fog slithered along the ground like a python seeking its next victim to devour. The wind whistled through the bare, bony branches of the trees who stood at attention like a vast army ready for battle. Each branch snapped against the other causing any mans blood to run cold. As he strolled through the woods his eyes widened searching for anything to calm the fear. It was dark and the fog wrapped its tentacles around his ankles blocking his vision from an unseen assailant hiding in its clutches. His mind reeled as demonic talons slashed their way into his soul as a vise-grip clamped onto his heart. The air in his lungs squeezed out like a deflating balloon. His eyes became wide as he tried gathering his breath.

            “Who’s there?” His lip quivered with each letter. He pressed on-ward. He didn’t know where he was going, all he knew is he had to leave these woods. There were peering eyes staring straight into his soul and he knew there would be no escaping. Death was eminent.

            They continued to gaze upon the tortured soul below. If they had mouths they’d mock him–audibly, here was a man, alone, wandering aimlessly through life with no hope or purpose in his steps. Their pointed fingers were all the mocking they needed. He was frightened, so they were doing their job, and doing it well.  Their goal, to cause a paralyzing fear to encapsulate him to the point of death.

            All he had to remind himself was to place one foot in-front of the other. Yet where’s he headed, what’s his goal? Did life have any meaning, or is the wandering the only meaning he had to look forward to in his pitiful existence? He had the perfect life. His wife loved him. His children loved him. Even his boss thought highly of him. But when they decided to leave the forest, all meaning to his existence left with them.  He was left all alone, pondering the one haunting question that remained. Is there more to life than this?

            If red eyes could exist on trees they would have them. Silently one tree slid his bony protrusion in a downward fashion towards the unsuspecting man. This would be the only warning he’d get.

            Someone was watching him as he stopped dead in his tracks. His hand flew up grabbing his neck as a hot, fiery pain shattered through the tendons connecting his head to his neck. He stared at the deep crimson red blood that slid down his fingers like a thick pudding. A tunnel formed in his vision as the light became faint and further away. Wasn’t one supposed to head towards the light upon death? As his knees slammed into the ground he realized his head fell forward.

            They watched in glee at the unfolding drama in-front of them. The joy of a single soul not escaping their grasp was all they needed to keep fueling the murder they were so capable of.

            The light was barely visible as he welcomed the warm feeling of death. It crept in like a ninja ready to strike at a moments notice. The blackness, that deep, dark flood washed over him encapsulating him. There was no last thought, no last plea for help. No cry for mercy. No begging for forgiveness.

            Just blackness.

            Just nothing.

To be continued…. 

 

1.)   What, to you, is the spiritual meaning behind this first part of ‘The Trees’?

2.)   What scripture best fits the condition of the man and the wrath of the trees?

3.)   Who is the man and who are the trees?