And what's worse is being called upon to present something for evaluation.

Which is probably why I have written so little on the prompt I chose because it resonated so strongly with me.

I think if I could get rid of that tendency (maybe it's self-doubt or perfectionism or something?), my life would be infinitely more productive.

I do believe with hard work and dedication my dream can become a reality. If I continue to push myself and keep my love of reading, then I do see it in my future. Maybe even one day I might be able to publish something myself.

As they ventured deeper into the woods, Larry seemed to know every inch of the forest like the back of his hand. He showed her all sorts of cool things - hidden caves, secret streams, and even an abandoned cabin deep in the heart of the forest. But as much as Ellisa enjoyed their adventure, she couldn't help but feel that Larry was being intentionally rude to her. He would answer her questions with curt remarks or simply ignore them altogether. It was as if he was trying to prove something to her, but what that something was, she couldn't quite figure out.

As the afternoon wore on, they stumbled upon a secluded clearing surrounded by towering trees. In the center of the clearing stood a massive oak tree, its gnarled branches reaching skyward like clawed hands. It was here that Larry finally revealed his true intentions. "Ellisa," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, "I brought you here because I wanted to tell you the truth about myself." He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "You see, Ellisa, I'm not who I say I am. I'm not just an ordinary boy from this town. I'm a changeling, and this forest is my home."

Ellisa's eyes widened in surprise and confusion. "A changeling?" she repeated. "But that's impossible. You're just a boy. You can't be a changeling." She looked at him skeptically, her heart racing as she tried to make sense of the situation.

Larry nodded, his expression solemn. "I know it's hard to believe," he said, "but it's the truth. This is who I really am. I was left here as a baby, exchanged for a human child. I've lived my entire life in this forest, hiding my true nature from everyone around me." He gestured to the trees surrounding them. "They're my family. They're all I've ever known."

Ellisa took a step back, her mind racing. Part of her wanted to believe him, but another part couldn't help but feel skeptical. She studied Larry's face, searching for any hint of deceit, but found none. "So what does this mean?" she finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "What do you want from me?"

Larry sighed heavily, his eyes darting around the clearing before settling back on her. "I don't know," he admitted. "I just thought you should know the truth. I've never had anyone to talk to about this, and now that I have, I don't know what to do." He reached out a hand, hesitantly, as if afraid she would push him away.

Ellisa stared at his hand for a moment, feeling a strange mixture of fear and curiosity. She had never met anyone like Larry before, and the idea that he wasn't who he said he was was both terrifying and thrilling. Slowly, she reached out her own hand, tentatively touching his. His skin was warm and rough against her fingertips, and she could feel the beat of his heart racing beneath his shirt.

"What do you want from me?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. "What do I have to do to help you?"

Larry withdrew his hand, taking a step back. "I don't know," he said again. "I just... I need someone to talk to. Someone who knows the truth about me. Someone who understands." He looked around the clearing, his eyes searching the trees for answers.

Ellisa watched him, feeling the weight of his words pressing down on her. She had always been drawn to the mysterious and the unknown, but she had never expected to be confronted with something so strange and so real. She knew that she couldn't turn her back on Larry now, not after everything they had been through together. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever was to come next.

"I'm here for you, Larry," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "Whatever happens, I'm here with you." She stepped forward, placing her hand on his shoulder. "We'll figure this out together."

Larry looked at her, his eyes wide with disbelief. Slowly, he reached out a shaking hand, touching hers where it lay on his shoulder. His skin was warm and alive beneath her fingertips, and she could feel the tremor running through his body.

"Thank you," he whispered, his voice breaking. "Thank you for believing me." He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "I don't know what's going to happen next, but I know that I don't have to face it alone."

They stood there in the clearing, surrounded by the whispering trees, their hands clasped together. Ellisa could feel the weight of the world pressing down on them, but she also felt a sense of hope and determination. She knew that they were going to face this together, no matter what it was.

Larry seemed to come back to himself, pulling his hand away from Ellisa's grip. He looked around the clearing, his eyes darting from tree to tree. "I don't know what's happening," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just know that I can't keep hiding who I am. I need to find out more about what it means to be a changeling, and I need to figure out how to fit in with my true family."

Ellisa nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "We'll figure it out," she said, trying to sound more confident than she felt. "We'll start by talking to the trees. Maybe they can give us some answers."

Larry laughed, a bitter sound that echoed through the clearing. "You're serious, aren't you?" he asked. "You actually believe that talking to trees will help us?"

Ellisa shrugged. "Why not?" she replied. "We've come this far. We might as well try everything we can."

They stood there for a moment, neither of them moving. Finally, Larry took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright," he said. "Let's do it. Let's talk to the trees."

Together, they walked over to the massive oak tree at the center of the clearing. Ellisa could feel the energy pulsing through it, a living force that was both terrifying and exhilarating. She looked at Larry, who was staring up at the tree, his eyes filled with wonder and fear. She reached out a hand, placing it on his back, offering him whatever strength she could.

"Hello," she said, her voice shaking. "We're here to talk. Can you help us?"

The wind rustled through the trees, causing them to sway gently. Ellisa closed her eyes, listening for any sign of an answer. She felt Larry's body tense beside her, his breath coming in short, sharp gasps. And then, suddenly, she heard it. A soft, gentle voice, whispering through the leaves.

"Hello," it said. "We've been waiting for you."

Ellisa and Larry exchanged glances, their hearts racing. The tree's voice was soft and gentle, but it carried an air of wisdom and authority that made them feel small and insignificant. They listened as the tree told them about the history of the forest, about the changelings who had come before them, and about the role they were destined to play in the grand scheme of things. It explained that Larry was not alone, that he was part of a larger community of beings who lived alongside humans, blending into their world while also maintaining their own unique culture and traditions.

As the tree spoke, Ellisa felt a newfound sense of purpose welling up inside her. She knew that she couldn't abandon Larry now, not when he needed her most. She squeezed his shoulder gently, offering him what comfort and strength she could. Larry looked at her, his eyes filled with gratitude and relief.

"Thank you," he said, his voice barely audible over the rustling of the leaves. "Thank you for believing me."

"Of course," Ellisa replied. "We're in this together, remember?"

The tree nodded, its branches swaying gently in the breeze. "You are now part of our family," it said. "You must learn to navigate between the two worlds, to find your place among us and among the humans." It paused for a moment, considering its words carefully. "It will not be easy, but you are not alone. We will guide you, and we will be with you every step of the way."

Ellisa and Larry exchanged another glance, their eyes shining with determination. They knew that the road ahead would be filled with challenges, but they also knew that they had each other, and they had the support of the forest and its mysterious denizens. Together, they turned back towards the path that would lead them home, their steps lighter and their hearts filled with hope.

I pick up my phone and see that I have fourteen missed calls from Matthew. “Crap.” 

“What?” Andrew asks, walking towards me.

“My brother has been calling me for about an hour now.” 

“Are you going to pick it up?”

I nod. “I guess I kind of have too.” 

“Okay well I’ll give you your privacy. I’ll be upstairs in my room when you get done.”

I watch as he leaves the kitchen. I stare at my phone for a minute knowing I was in big trouble. I swipe ‘Answer’ and listen for Matthew to start yelling and demanding to know where I am. But instead I can only hear someone breathing really hard. 

“Hello?” I ask, nervously.

“April, hey it’s Jason, your brother wants to know where you are.” Jason? I didn’t even know my brother knew someone named Jason. But then again I don’t know half the people he hangs out with. But there was something about his voice. It was really familiar. Something that seemed like I had known this person for a really long time.

“Oh. I am at Andrew's house. Is he okay? Where is he?” 

There was a pause.

“He’s fine, he is just busy. But he told me to tell you he is coming to get you.” 

“Bu-” The line goes dead. I stare at my phone confused. I set my phone down on the counter and start walking to Andrew's room. I can't get over the way his voice sounded. I am sure I've heard it before.

I stop outside his door and just stand there taking in what just happened. Why was Jason calling me? And what could Matthew possibly be busy with? I started to turn around to go get my phone so I could call Matthew and demand to know what he was busy with but then Andrew opens his door. 

I stared at him for a minute, a little shocked that he caught me off guard. “It was Jason, he said Matthew is coming to get me.” 

“I would have taken you home April.” His voice is gruff.

“I know. But he wouldn’t even give me long enough to say that before he hung up.” I look down towards the ground. 

“Are you okay?” He asks, reaching for me.

I sigh. “Yeah I am. Just a little confused as to why Jason would be calling me. I mean

Jason spoke to me as if he knew me, but I didn’t even know my brother knew a Jason. It may seem silly but it just confuses me.” I walk towards him, letting him collect me in his arms. 

“Maybe your brother just got busy and asked Jason to make a quick phone call for him and concerning not knowing Jason, maybe he just met him tonight at prom.” Andrew said, tightening his arms around me. “Don’t stress over it. I am sure there is an explanation for all of it. If you still feel uneasy about it by the time your brother gets here then maybe you should talk to him about it.” 

I laugh nervously. “You’re probably right.” I wrapped my arms around him, giving him a hug. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” He kisses my forehead. 

I pull back and walk past him. I grab my dress off his bed then started heading towards the front door, trying to convince myself Jason is not a bad person. Like Andrew said he probably met him tonight. My thoughts drift to the girl I saw Matthew dancing with. Maybe that's why he is busy? But still, it just seems odd.

I go ahead and step outside to wait for Matthew. I can't help but feel a little upset that Andrew didn’t want to wait outside with me. I mean tonight was perfect. I didn’t want to end it on a bad note. I stare at the front door wishing Andrew would come out of it. I want to be in his arms when Matthew pulls up. I wanted him to kiss me goodnight before I got into Matt’s car. I just want him. I stare down the street looking for headlights but don’t see any.

I prop my arms on my knees, letting my face fall into my hands. 

A few minutes later headlights appear in the distance. My nerves start going haywire. I get up and start walking to the end of the driveway so that Matthew won't have to pull all the way in, mentally preparing myself for Matthew's wrath. When the car comes to a stop a man gets out. I try to see his face but the headlights are blinding me.

But as the man comes closer I realize it isn't Matthew. This man’s shoulders were wider and he was a lot taller. I start to back up when the man starts running towards me. He is wearing a black jumpsuit with a black ski mask that covers everything but his eyes.

“Somebody help!” I scream, as I start running back towards Andrews house. But as soon as I start running the man grabs me by my hair and jerks me down.

I stumbled to the ground, yelping in pain. The man places a rag over my face.

The smell of whatever is on the rag is strong and is making me tired. I try to fight him, I try to scream but nothing works. The man starts dragging me towards his car. He opens his truck and lays me down inside it. I desperately claw at the mans arms. This wasn't happening. It can't be.

He ties my hands up with zip ties, then shoves the rag back in my face. My head starts spinning and I feel myself trying to pass out. No! I have to stay awake.

I blink rapidly trying to stay awake but suddenly my eyelids get heavy and I can't open them anymore. The next thing I know everything goes black.