[Eyudo]: 725.Flames in The Full Moon: the entire book.Chapter 24: Exploration

I went around the forest the next day, just going through unexplored territory. It always made me feel better to go hiking at times like these. But only cheered me up slightly.
I still thought about Derek. I wondered how he was doing and how was he going to make it home. I worried a bit, and then gathered the courage to call him. I walked back to the cabin through sticks, thorns, and muck with Midnight happily tagging along behind me. I had to make a pit stop to the river to wash off the mud that all was over my ankles. It felt disgusting and was really weird to walk with it on my skin.
After that quick bath, I made my way back to the cabin. I grabbed the phone and my fingers quickly dialed the ten-digit number and put it to my ear to listen. I listen to the rings as no one answered. I was annoyed when his voice mail came up. I hung up and didn’t bother to leave a message. I figured I’d call back later. I set my phone back on the table and left again.
I came back a few minutes later and grabbed a few things I needed. Like: my leg strap knife, my canteen, both the wolves, a few little medical supplies incase, a rope, a few assorted items that wouldn’t matter to you. I put them all into my smaller backpack and was gone again. Unfortunately I came back a few more minutes later to grab my PDO and the small backpack I had accidentally left there. Then I raced out the door for the last time.
I was going to explore unknown territories further than ever before for me. It was a warm and sunny day too. Only a few clouds that were generously covering most the sun to make pure blue skies and still shade. I headed out, starting in my familiar areas. Then I passed out of that into the unknown.
It was kind of freaky. The forest was so much denser there, not just with trees, but vines, sorts of bushes, tall grasses, and thorns. I especially hated thorns, considering I was in shorts and a sleeveless shirt. They all seemed to reach for my unguarded skin. It was pretty dark too; all the treetops were over lapping with huge green leaves that blocked out the sunlight. It was the side of the forest I had never seen before.
I slipped through a massive pile of twigs and sticks and stuff and emerged on the other side. I only saw more obstacles, some of them I wasn’t sure I could make it through. I spied a clearing over in the distant and really wanted to make it there and check it out. I thought about it and knew it would be too risky on foot.
I sat down in the forest for a moment since I was stuck. I sat down and relaxed on the soft, mossy, dry forest floor. It was very comfortable and made me relax and forget about everything. It was weird, when I was in the cabin on the couch or whatever I was stressed. But then I go into the mysterious forest and am at peace with my mind just by laying on the floor. It was really good.
I just looked up and happened to get an idea. I could’ve just climbed up the trees and walked on the branches. The trunks were so close together that the branches were even intertwined. That would make it easy to walk in the treetops and make it to the clearing! I was excited about that one.
“I’ll just lay here a few more minutes.” I said as I yawned. “Only a few.” I said again. But that few minutes turned into hours when I accidentally closed my eyes and the stayed that way. It was only a little nap in the forest. But it was already like three PM when I dosed off. It didn’t matter though. It’s not like I had anything to do anyway.