The forest is strange. Stories flood the small town about the forest. Magic swam on every word and danced along the tree line. These woods were like the ocean, foreboding, you could only go so far before being lost from the world.

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            I was forbidden to enter. Ever since I was a baby my parents forbid me from going anywhere near the forest. I had set boundaries and everyone in our small town knew it. I was forced inside during recess while the other children were able to play outside. I was under constant watch, never allowed outside by myself, even when I reached ten.

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            The only time I was allowed outside was in our backyard, fenced in by a white fence. The gate was locked with a big, hefty lock. It was replaced twice a year when it began to rust, because they feared I would break it. They locked the keys away in a safe. I couldn’t climb over it either without being spotted. So I obeyed and watched by the fence.

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            Mother and father never noticed them though. They just thought I was crazy. Every time I was allowed out all I did was sit at the back fence. I remember seeing them in the tree line. They would talk to me, and call me towards them. They were beautiful creatures. Almost hypnotizing to look at. They were usually tall and lengthily. Their skin colors would varies from a pearl color to the blue as the deepest ocean, but they were all wonderful in the moonlight. Their eyes were not human, they were usually black orbs with long lashes. I loved their wings. All different shapes and sizes. Beautifully iridescent as they fluttered along.

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            I would sit for hours and just watch them. They never stepped out though. Never came my way but they would call to me. I could hear them. Even when I went to bed in the evening. I could hear them calling my name. Sometimes they even screamed and cried. I don’t know why it hurt so much that I couldn’t. I wanted to answer their calls.

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            I questioned it for years, why was I the only one forbidden to enter the forest. My mother told me once because it was not our forest. It would be disrespectful to enter their grounds. This of course made no sense. A lot of people entered the forest. Though it was true not everyone returned. I don’t think I ever thought about that possibility. Not coming back. I think I thought I was invincible.

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            When I was twelve I tried to escape. I was home alone, a mistake, I escaped. I climbed the fence and ran, but I was spotted. My neighbor dragged me away from the tree line before I could enter. Scolding me before calling my parents home. I didn’t care at the moment. I was too disappointed by my failure. I remember the sad looks on their faces. They were so happy when I was running towards them but looked heartbroken as I was dragged away.

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            It wasn’t long after this incident that I was sent away. Mother thought it best I had a change of scenery, so she shipped me off. To a boarding school in America.