His Mermaid Luna novel Chapter 3

I turn around, about to set foot back to the beach, when I notice the trail splits into two a few feet in the direction from where I came from. They lead in completely opposite directions, and the beach is nowhere in sight, and the smell of salt water isn't in the air. I decide to keep moving forward, not wanting to get lost.

A few hours pass and my feet begin to hurt. Its almost dark, and there are still only woods surrounding me, and I've come into no contact with people. I throw my bag onto the ground and plop myself down beside it and rest my head up against a log.

How much longer until I reach people? I've been walking forever! Ive only been to humans towns a few times, so I'm not very familiar with where they choose to locate their homes. Maybe they dont live here? Maybe I'm alone for miles and miles...No! There's no time for doubting! I saw footprints which looked fresh so there has to be people around!

I look down at my feet and see all the dirt and leaves sticking to them and up between my toes since I don't have any shoes. I comb my hair with my fingers to attempt to make it more presentable because the last thing I want is for when I finally find people and they run away from me thinking im some sort of scary psycho woman. My skin is a little dry, but nothing that will hurt me. I've never pushed my limits when it came to my hydration, so I dont know how long I can go without being fully submerged.

I stand up and throw my bag back over my shoulder and give myself a nod of reassurance. I take a step forward when I hear a twig snap from behind me. I turn around and look, but dont see signs of people.

"Hello...?"

No answer.

I shrug and continue walking, as I see the sunset over the mountain tops in the distance.

Blackness surrounded me as the sun set later that day. I've been walking nonstop, not taking any more breaks, and every time I would see footprints in the ground excitement would fill up inside me and id be faced with disappointment again. I've seen so many footprints, yet for some reason, not any people.

I hear an owl hooting in the distance and at this point, I'm tripping over roots and rocks it's so dark. I should rest, I can barely see my own feet for Neptune's sake! I slide my bag off my shoulder onto the ground and look around for a spot to sleep for the night. I've never slept in a tree before, could I?

I sit up and look around as I let go of my elbow and clasp my hand around my throat from the intense dryness. I couldn't even talk if I tried too. I stand up quickly and search for water and I can feel my throat getting drier by the second. I grab my bag and run off randomly into the woods, searching for water.

I trip over a root and fall through some bushes into a small opening. I pick myself up from the ground and I look ahead to see a small lake. I quickly get up and run towards it, tripping along the way. I throw my bag on the ground and collapse onto my knees and cup water into my hands and quickly drink it. I drink more and more for a few minutes and I breathe a sigh of relief. After I've had enough, I sit down and look out onto the lake and admire the scenery.

I look into my reflection and frown at my appearance. I try to fix my hair, but end up messing it up more. Sighing, I let my arms fall to my side in defeat. I suddenly feel my exhaustion resume and I don't think I have enough energy left to climb back up the tree. I lay on my side and stare out onto the lake as I let darkness consume me for the second time tonight.

I wake up to the sound of birds chirping and open my eyes to see the canopy of trees above. I sit up and stretch my arms before standing up and dusting myself off. I look at the lake and decide to drink some more water. This is the only lake I've found so far, and I don't know when I'll get to drink again. I cup my hands and repeat what I did the night before.