Young Writers Society

Chapter 22: Nature’s Harmony


“It took precisely seven and a half minutes to get from Town Hall to the church.”1 King calculated while reading his golden pocket watch. We’d just set foot on the church’s fertile land and the others were ready to go back to the simple house we called our own. I, however, wasn’t really in the mood for spending time indoors. Going to the house clearly meant I’d have to spend my time with others’ unnecessary company. The others weren’t getting on my nerves or anything like that, it was just that I wanted some time to think, to breath, and to take it all in.2

“Are you okay 3 Jade? You look a little down.” Valentina’s silvery voice sang as she stared at me with dubious4 concern.

I was always at a disadvantage when it came to hiding my feelings; my face always somehow managed to give away my emotions. 5

“Oh6 I’m fine!” I insisted, forcing a pained smile onto my pallid face. “I just don’t feel like heading in yet is all. I think I’m going to explore a little bit. You know, see the sights.”

Valentina looked at me as if she knew better; she was not a fool. As she was about to question me further, King stepped in. He subtly grasped Valentina’s covered shoulder and nodded approvingly; I nodded back before reversing on my heel. The rest of the group stayed silent as I left them. I’m pretty sure they were contemplating King’s obscure actions because that was exactly what I was doing.

Why did King let me go off so easily? He’s usually, more protective and cautious. Is he losing it or something? Valentina was just about to stop me, but… The speculation shuffled my fancies 7 as I headed east towards the dense forest.

I was at the foot of the murky woods when I heard a faint cry; a familiar faint cry.

“Be back by supper, Jade!” The voice cried. I managed to understand the sentence the person spoke, but I wasn’t able to identify the speaker.

“I’ll be there. Don’t worry.” I whispered under my hushed breath8. My trembling feet were planted deep in the groggy soil of the lush forest known only as the Mystic Haze. My narrowed eyes pried the deserted area; I knew that I wouldn’t find anyone other than myself in the misty woods.

Mystic Haze… I wonder why they named something so creepy 9… I thought before entering the cryptic foliage. The distinct boundary between Angel’s Landing and Mystic haze was distinct and definite; the haze was a compact forest. The colorful variety of pastel trees kissed the sky, and a calm mist surrounded the cool forest. I was completely aware of all the danger I could possibly run into by entering the forest by myself, but I stepped into the alluring haze as if I were in a mystical trance.

Being in a trance isn’t fun at the very least. It’s something rather annoying to be exact. When you’re in a trance it’s like you’re alive and you’re aware of what you’re doing, but you have no control over your actions. It’s almost as if someone else is controlling you like a puppet. Almost like your body takes over and overpowers your mind.

So there I was sauntering through the misty vegetation, my ability to function temporarily suspended with my mind efficient and capably aware of my paranormal actions.10 I didn’t fight the trance; I knew I’d lose to the influential force hypnotizing my body. I also knew that if I escaped the trance I was in (which was hardly likely), I’d still be mesmerized by celestial forest. So I kept my quivering mouth shut and mused as I let the hypnotic trance take over.


I spent an immeasurable amount of time meandering my way through the endless undergrowth of the haze, yet I didn’t complain or whine. I was perfectly content with what was happening for some reason. The forest was so peaceful and still; it seemed almost as if time froze while in the presence of the forest. My suede brown school shoes became muddy and flooded with the soil’s moisture, so they eventually slipped of11 my frigid toes and I was walking barefoot. The soggy herbage mixed with the damp mud soothed my aching feet and felt nice between my squishing12 toes. I wandered on; exact location I was headed for unknown. I passed ancient trees with thick roots that traveled in fertile soil the endless forest. A few times I spotted a family of dark blue quails; their puffed chests covered in snow white feathers.13 I even managed to spot a lively herd of reindeer while passing. Their coats explored every shade of brown, black, and auburn.14 I watched intently —still walking— as they ran gracefully north, away from me. They trampled the whitening shrubbery below their feet as they ran; their heavy steps sent deep staccato vibrations in the soil that were quickly absorbed by my muddy feet and dissolved into my body.

Right then as the last deer disappeared into a clearing, my body crouched and darted in the direction of the husky reindeer. I knew then that my body really had taken over because I’d never ran that fast in my life.

What is going on? I conjectured as I ran swift as a gazelle through the woods. The dark wooded trees and plant life disappeared before my very eyes as I bolted north; all I could see was a blend of pastel colors. The racing wind danced along the sides of body as I ran. The whistling wind felt like ice against my ashen cheeks. Although the wind was opposing my direction, it never slowed me down by the least. Instead, I accelerated,15 winning the race against one of the dominating forces of nature.

After conquering the forceful wind, my pace slowed until it was only the speed of a traveling person.16

Okay, well this is a weird experience. A REALLY weird experience.17 Hypnotic trances and running like a gazelle. And now look! I’m in some sort of vast meadow surrounded by the mighty Elysia Mountains. HA! Wait a minute! My fancies were interrupted by the mesmerizing clearing. I had to pause my mind to take in the illustrious meadow. A large clearing of land, undisturbed by any mighty trees, was what my bare feet were stepping in. Minor shrubbery blew gracefully with the racing wind; almost as if the plants were dancing along to the wind’s harmony. Past the ever green foliage stood the magnificent Elysia Mountains covered in a massive layer of glittering snow. The whole place glittered; it sparkled. It was astounding how the land was so pristine and pure; unsoiled by the filthy hands of heartless humans.18

When I reached the direct center of the meadow, my trance stationed my wintry body into the land. And there I stood, in the center of sheer beauty belonging to the generous Mother Nature.19 As I stood tall and courteously in the center, the forces of nature calmed themselves and stroked my senses. The intense beams of the powerful sun warmed the surface of my colorless skin and entered my frozen being. The serene water of nearby stream brushed along my calves as it flooded past me. The compelling earth placed before me was overwhelming to my wide eyes and smelled of fresh flowers and peppermint in a perfectly mixed solution. Last for my senses was the graceful wind. The whispering wind brushed my face and danced along with the earth.20 As the wind blew through the tall grass, the flexible grass followed the wind’s lead and swayed along with the wind‘s pattern. And then I heard it. It was at that very moment I realized what was really going on. I silenced myself and stood very still as the wind stroked my sides and entered my ears. It was then I heard the melodious sound of nature. The wind whistled lightly in my ear as it swiftly ran passed me, the serene water drenched my feet and its sound bubbled along harmoniously with the wind. The sun’s intense beams presented the pristine beauty of the earth as if it were a giant spotlight and the earth was the stage.21 It was then I realized that nature was performing for the senses and I was selected as the audience.22 The sturdy earth was the stage, the blazing sun the spotlight, the whistling wind the orchestra, and the playful water the performer.23 They moved together in equal harmony with each other. Not one of them played stronger than the others or took the untouched role as the lead; they played together as one family, a single unit, an absolute whole.24

It was there I learned the meaning of true harmony. True harmony is the absolute agreement of the forces. It’s when the most talented and gifted work as equals with the smallest of performers. True harmony is symphonic consistency created by wholesome trust with your fellow players. To hear Nature’s harmony, all you have to do is slow down and listen. That’s all it takes. You cannot find it by looking with your eyes; you find it by looking with your heart and by letting nature take control. Just relax and have a little faith. That’s all you must do.25

When the spiraling wind waltzed out of the clearing, I knew the private performance was over. The bubbling brooks speed slowed down to a constant tempo, and the blazing sun was partially covered by an oversized puffy cumulus cloud. Only the earth stayed the same; its terrain magnificent as before. My trance led me onward past the meadow and deeper into the northern forest still apart of the haze. Once in the compact foliage, my body bolted north again. I let my body take control; my instincts were almost definite that we were almost there.

Indeed, my instincts were correct. My treading feet slowed its pace until they finally came to a halt at the foot of a sparkling waterfall. The depths of the haze was home to way more than I would’ve thought. The cascading waterfall looked magical; almost as if it came out of someone’s brilliant fantasy. The smooth gray rocks guiding the lively falls rocketed up to heights near the treetops. Bright green moss covered most of the rocks, and rested on the smaller stones in the river the falls poured into. Scattered light fell from the sky; the beams were distorted by the towering trees. One beam of light managed to form a rainbow that arched over the dazzling waterfall.

“This is, so, beautiful…” I muttered under my breath. The brilliant waterfall was so captivating that I hardly noticed I was panting like a dog from the long run.

“It’s, magical…” I26 whispered to myself as if I had just learned some sort of secret. The word magical abruptly dismissed my trance and I fell to the rugged ground.

“Ouch! Shoot! I knew my body couldn’t possibly manage to handle all that super-power running! It‘s not like I‘m superman!” I growled unintelligible things to myself. On the ground I found myself face to face with my reflection in the calm waters of the sparkling river. The reflection I saw in the river startled me. In the river I saw me, but a me of the future. I saw myself about five years older and gorgeous. My liquid jade eyes stared at me sweetly , batting dark lashes lightly.27 My perfect skin glowed like moonlight against a crescent bay, and my cherry pink lips curled into a lucid smile. I blinked twice while holding the stony ground to keep my balance; I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Before dissolving into a million ripples, the image of the older me winked at me cheerfully and mouthed the word destiny. The beautiful image faded into the river, looking almost as if it were never there.28

“Wait! Come back! Who are you? What do you mean destiny? I don’t understand!” I cried to the surface of the river. I knew it was too late to find her again, but I just had to try. Ever since I first set foot on Angel’s Landing I had the feeling that people were trying to tell me something. However they weren’t straightforward with their message. Instead, they gave me bits and pieces of a mysterious larger picture.

“Come back…” I whispered quietly to the river. My face was so close to the surface of the still water that my lips almost brushed against the top of it. I stared at my reflection in the crystal pool and saw the real me at the time. I saw a calm ashen face, serious jade eyes, and chapped cherry lips forming a hard line.

“What’s happened?” I sighed to myself, face still almost touching the water.

I gazed down at the reflection and saw two beings appear on either side of me. At first I couldn’t recognize the people beside me in my reflection, so I rubbed my eyes. My sight focused and saw my mama and papa. Mama was holding me close to her and lightly kissed the top of my head. Papa was holding my shoulder and nodded assuringly to me. The two images then mouthed we believe in you before dissolving into the water as the previous illusion did. 29

“No!” I cried, tears starting to fill my eyes. “Come back! I don’t understand! What am I supposed to do? Don’t leave me again! Please! I’m not strong enough to lose you again! Don’t leave me!”

Warm tears ran down my burning cheeks as I called for my parents. I called their names again and again, but they never came back; nothing ever appeared in the river again.

“Come back…” I whispered to the river; my lips kissing the waters edge. As I kissed the surface of the icy water I felt something shove my bottom and I fell into the frigid water. I tried to scream, but as I opened my mouth to let out a cry the brisk water entered my system. I tried to swim up to the surface, but I was in too deep already; there was no hope for me.30

It takes precisely seven and a half minutes to get from the town hall to the church.

It took us precisely seven and a half minutes to get from the town hall to the church.

I whispered under my breath

I whispered in a hushed breath

it's...magical.

Bashing dark lashes lightly.

“It took precisely seven and a half minutes to get from Town Hall to the church. [comma instead]” King calculated while reading his golden pocket watch.

Are you okay, <-- Comma! Jade? You look a little down. [comma instead]” Valentina’s silvery voice sang as she stared at me with dubious concern.

“Oh, <-- Comma! I’m fine!” I insisted, forcing a pained smile onto my pallid face. “I just don’t feel like heading in yet is all. I think I’m going to explore a little bit. You know, see the sights.”

Mystic Haze… I wonder why they named something so creepy… I thought before entering the cryptic foliage.

“Ouch! Shoot! I knew my body couldn’t possibly manage to handle all that super-power running! It‘s not like I‘m superman!”

“It’s, magical…”

“It took precisely seven and a half minutes to get from Town Hall to the church.” King calculated while reading his golden pocket watch.

[New Paragraph]

We’d just set foot on the church’s fertile land and the others were ready to go back to the simple house we called our own. I, however, wasn’t really in the mood for spending time indoors. Going to the house clearly meant I’d have to spend my time with others’ unnecessary company. The others weren’t getting on my nerves or anything like that, it was just that I wanted some time to think, to breath, and to take it all in.

“I’ll be there. Don’t worry.” I whispered under my hushed breath. My trembling feet were planted deep in the groggy soil of the lush forest known [s]only[/s] as the Mystic Haze. My narrowed eyes pried the deserted area; I knew that I wouldn’t find anyone other than myself in the misty woods.

Being in a trance isn’t fun at the very least. It’s something rather annoying to be exact. When you’re in a trance it’s like you’re alive and you’re aware of what you’re doing, but you have no control over your actions. It’s almost as if someone else is controlling you like a puppet. Almost like your body takes over and overpowers your mind.

I spent an immeasurable amount of time meandering my way through the endless undergrowth of the haze, yet I didn’t complain or whine. I was perfectly content with what was happening for some reason. The forest was so peaceful and still; it seemed almost as if time froze while in the presence of the forest. My suede brown school shoes became muddy and flooded with the soil’s moisture, so they eventually slipped of my frigid toes and I was walking barefoot. The soggy herbage mixed with the damp mud soothed my aching feet and felt nice between my squishing toes. I wandered on; exact location I was headed for unknown. I passed ancient trees with thick roots that traveled in fertile soil the endless forest. A few times I spotted a family of dark blue quails; their puffed chests covered in snow white feathers. I even managed to spot a lively herd of reindeer while passing. Their coats explored every shade of brown, black, and auburn. I watched intently —still walking— as they ran gracefully north, away from me. They trampled the whitening shrubbery below their feet as they ran; their heavy steps sent deep staccato vibrations in the soil that were quickly absorbed by my muddy feet and dissolved into my body.

Valentina’s silvery voice sang as she stared at me with dubious concern.

Mystic Haze… I wonder why they named something so creepy… I thought before entering the cryptic foliage

A REALLY weird experience.

“It took precisely seven and a half minutes to get from Town Hall to the church.” King calculated while reading his golden pocket watch.

“Are you okay Jade? You look a little down.” Valentina’s silvery voice sang as she stared at me with dubious concern.

Valentina looked at me as if she knew better; she was not a fool.

He’s usually, more protective and cautious.

“Be back by supper, Jade!” The voice cried.

“I’ll be there. Don’t worry.” I whispered under my hushed breath.

Being in a trance isn’t fun at the very least. It’s something rather annoying to be exact. When you’re in a trance it’s like you’re alive and you’re aware of what you’re doing, but you have no control over your actions. It’s almost as if someone else is controlling you like a puppet. Almost like your body takes over and overpowers your mind.

So there I was sauntering through the misty vegetation, my ability to function temporarily suspended with my mind efficient and capably aware of my paranormal actions. I didn’t fight the trance; I knew I’d lose to the influential force hypnotizing my body.

I also knew that if I escaped the trance I was in (which was hardly likely), I’d still be mesmerized by the celestial forest.

So I kept my quivering mouth shut and mused as I let the hypnotic trance take over.

The soggy herbage mixed with the damp mud soothed my aching feet and felt nice between my squishing toes.

I passed ancient trees with thick roots that traveled in fertile soil the endless forest.

Okay, well this is a weird experience. A REALLY weird experience. Hypnotic trances and running like a gazelle. And now look! I’m in some sort of vast meadow surrounded by the mighty Elysia Mountains. HA! Wait a minute!

My fancies were interrupted by the mesmerizing clearing. I had to pause my mind to take in the illustrious meadow.

When I reached the direct center of the meadow, my trance stationed my wintry body into the land. And there I stood, in the center of sheer beauty belonging to the generous Mother Nature. As I stood tall and courteously in the center, the forces of nature calmed themselves and stroked my senses. The intense beams of the powerful sun warmed the surface of my colorless skin and entered my frozen being. The serene water of nearby stream brushed along my calves as it flooded past me. The compelling earth placed before me was overwhelming to my wide eyes and smelled of fresh flowers and peppermint in a perfectly mixed solution. Last for my senses was the graceful wind. The whispering wind brushed my face and danced along with the earth. As the wind blew through the tall grass, the flexible grass followed the wind’s lead and swayed along with the wind‘s pattern.

To hear Nature’s harmony, all you have to do is slow down and listen. That’s all it takes. You cannot find it by looking with your eyes; you find it by looking with your heart and by letting nature take control. Just relax and have a little faith. That’s all you must do.