It was supposed to be a relaxed camping experience in the woods. It was supposed to be a family-bonding moment. It was supposed to be fun.

I drew a harried breath, swiping the sweat off my forehead. The trees were silent and still, and there wasn't so much as a whisper of a breeze. The air felt heavy, and the humidity didn't help. Neither did the fact that I was wearing skinny jeans that clung to me.

'I am Shalini Singh. I am going to marry Iron Man. I can not be scared of the dark.' I chided myself in my mind, trying to gather courage, trying to concentrate on the thought of my favorite movie character.

It didn't work.

Straining my ears for any sound, I kept silent, trying not to move. I didn't know who was out there. I didn't know what would happen if I got found. All I knew was that I was all by myself in a creepy game of hide-and-seek.

Something rustled in the bushes a few metres away, and I stilled. Was it a wild animal, a squirrel, or perhaps one of my siblings? I didn't know. I could even be just a draft, unlikely as it sounded.

I held my breath, almost feeling the presence. I crouched lower, trying to hide within myself, holding back a whimper. I grabbed a few pebbles on impulse and stuck a few in my pocket for defense.

"There is a story in the air, a magic in your blood.
You don't have to care, just hide the pain in the mud.
You aren't the first to walk this way to your destiny,
You aren't the last soul to long for some harmony.
Just stop your feet, rest your eyes, lower yourself,
Just for tonight, feel the magic of a fairy or an elf."

I froze. Where were these words coming from? Did I hear them? Think them? Remember them? I didn't know. I couldn't pinpoint it, couldn't understand what the tune meant, where it came from. My ears strained to find the song and the music in the stifling silence.

Crack.

A twig. Someone was coming closer. I hugged the tree, dug my nails into it. Was it my siblings returning for me, or a serial killer stalking me, planning my death? My eyes roved over the darkness, making shapes out of shadows, seeing monsters in every bush.

"You may not see me, or anybody around you.
You could be stuck in danger, lost without a clue.
It is okay to stumble through the dark sometimes, you know,
It is okay not to be in control, it is okay to simply let go.
Even if the world mocks you, even if you are in despair,
There is always me, there is always someone to care.
Relax, breathe in the silence, lean against a rock,
Because sometimes you don't need to speak to talk."

I shook my head. It wasn't loud, but I could make out the words. Was it being sung out aloud, or was it in my head? It didn't matter. All I wanted was to find both my brothers, find our sleeping bags, and head home. Before that, I wanted to live. Listening to strange music wasn't high on my priorities.

"Who... Who is there?" The words slipped out before I could make up my mind.

Crack.

No response, but that crack sounded closer. I trembled, cursing myself for the horror movie marathon I had sat through last night. Suddenly, the dark night resembled the long, black, stringy hair that covered the faces of most evil spirits. The pinpricks of moonlight turned into patchy white skin escaping the blanket of tresses.

I had never been so thoroughly terrified. I threw one pebble in the direction, cringing as it flew woefully off-course.

"Praneet, is that you? This is not funny, damn it! I am sorry I feel asleep during your story, but this prank is going too far!" I would have liked it if I sounded intimidating and angry. Instead, my voice quailed, and almost cracked at the end.

Crack.

No response.

This wasn't either of my brothers, I realised. They might be evil, but even they knew where to stop being mean and give me a hug. My wimpy voice and sniffling would have got both Praneet and Rajesh running to my side with apologies and hugs.

"Calm your mind, loosen your muscles now,
I don't bring danger, just unconditional love.
I can feel your turmoil, your growing fears,
But calm your mind, let me dry your tears.
I was made by the force that made your race,
So here I am as family, to meet you face to face.
Hug me tight, and let go of those nightmares,
Close your eyes and imagine your teddy bears.
Pass the night here, return home at dawn-
Trust in me, for I knew you since your were born.
You are my family, so let me heal you tonight,
Let me soothe the frowns, the tears, the fright."

I shrieked as I felt a hand on my shoulder, and spun, only for the voice to die.

Soulful eyes of bark reached for mine, as a wooden hand stroked my cheek softly. My eyes, wider than saucers, gaped at a humanoid tree, with branches for hair and roots for feet.

Crack.

"There is a magic at work, a portal between lands,
An accidental journey that brought you to my hands.
My mother made your forefathers and theirs,
Your father turned my forefathers into chairs.
But tonight, we are family, and you are scared and alone,
Lost, confused, unable to survive on your own.
So sit down, I am here to help, stop panicking so,
Try to rest, catch your breath. I am not a foe."

It was this tree/person singing in my ears all this while, yet the mouth didn't move, the eyes didn't blink. The hands simply brushed my tears.

"Oh. You frightened me." I whispered to the form, magically lulled into calm.

"Oh, I will frighten you alright. Wake up, Shalini! We need to turn in!" Praneet's voice broke through the woods, shattering the silence.

I jumped, eyes wide in dismay, as the trees began to fade into light. I reached for the tree/person, but met with soft, spongy flesh.

"Ouch, stop slapping me!" Rajesh's voice yelled, and my vision slowly cleared.

"Where are- what?" I blinked at the two unhappy faces at my side, and the bonfire in front of me. I took in my sweat-soaked state, and blinked.

You fell asleep. I was just getting to the interesting part of the legend, where the spirits of the forest abduct young girls! You would have had nightmares for weeks," he beamed, before scowling at me, adding, "but you just had to fall asleep too soon!"

"Spirits of the forest, you say? Whoa. I am trembling!" I teased him sleepily, my mind replaying that vivid dream.

"Oh, please. Just get into your sleeping bag. We will head home early tomorrow." Praneet scowled at me.

I waved him off and stood up, stretching. My eyes half-shut, I yawned expansively.

Suddenly, Rajesh piped up. "Hey, Shalini, why are your pockets bulging? Did you bring chocolates?"

I looked into them, hands shaking, and pulled out a handful of pebbles. Even as the eager faces of my brothers fell, I stared at the trees, wide awake.

A/n:
Okay, if you ever spoke to trees, what would they tell you? Would they try to kill you, or act like over-protective brothers and soothe you even though you hurt them?
Would the trees wipe your tears when they get killed to make your tissues?
Oh well, ciao. Think about it. Plant some saplings, maybe.
Toodles.