13 The Forest at Night

CHAPTER 13 The Forest at Night With the daylight disappearing, we headed back. As we walked, Weena and I gathered firewood. We were both tired, and carrying the wood slowed us down, so we didn't get as far as I'd hoped. By the time we reached the forest, it was already night. Weena didn't want to go through the woods in

the dark. If I had been thinking straight, we would have stopped and built a fire. But I was very tired because I had not slept the night before, so I decided to carry on. I thought the forest was less than a mile wide and I was anxious to make it through to the other side as soon as possible. I was sure the matches and camphor would get us through the forest safely. And I felt it would be better to make camp on the hill on the other side. I had also seen three dark figures hiding in the nearby shadows, and I wanted to get away from them. But now I was faced with a problem. I knew I would need to light matches to keep the Morlocks away in the darkness of the forest. But that would be difficult if I was carrying the firewood and my metal lever. So I decided to leave behind the sticks and branches I had collected. I dropped my firewood and turned to go. That was when I had an idea. I

thought if I lit a fire, it would keep the Morlocks from following us. To be honest, I think I also wanted to frighten them because I had grown to hate the creatures. I lit the pile of wood, and soon a large blaze lit up the trees and bushes around us. Weena was thrilled by the flames. She put her firewood on the ground and danced around with wide-eyed delight. She moved so close to the flames that she would have burned herself if I hadn't grabbed her. I gestured to her to pick up her firewood again. Then I took her hand, and together we walked into the forest. For a little while the light from the blaze lit our way. I looked back and saw that the fire was spreading. Some bushes were now burning, and flames were creeping up the hill. I laughed at the thought of the Morlocks running away in fear. Weena and I turned and headed deeper into the gloom of the forest. The glow from the fire

became dimmer until the only light came from dim patches of sky overhead. There was barely enough light to see the trail. I would have struck a match to light our way, but Weena had become too tired. She dropped the wood she was holding, and I had to carry her. I held her in one arm and the metal lever in the other.

For a while, the only sounds were the cracking of twigs under our feet and the whisper of our breathing. But then I heard rustling noises behind

us. Slowly, the sounds drew closer and closer. I began to hear the animal noises of the Morlocks. I felt a tug at my jacket. Then something pulled at my arm. Weena gave out a small cry. I could feel her shaking with fear. I needed to light a match, so I put Weena down and reached into my pocket. As I was fumbling for a match, I heard the sound of a struggle beside me in the darkness. The Morlocks were trying to drag Weena away. Small hands clutched at my jacket, and at my back and neck. I finally struck a match. It burst into flame, and in the light I saw the white, hairy backs of the Morlocks as they scrambled away. I quickly took the camphor from my pocket. I picked off a small piece, lit it, and threw it on the ground. It sparked and burned, driving the creatures even farther into the shadows. The rustle of the bushes and the glimmer of eyes in the darkness told me that the Morlocks were all around us.