Walking through the lush forest, watching the rays of light play peek a boo through the leaves as they dance in the cool wind. The dirt beneath my feet, cool but, not cold with little patches of baby grass tickling my toes every few steps. Where was I going? Forwards, wherever, in this lonesome world, that took me. The dirt path ahead was more winding than a snake. But not as interesting as one. It was the path I had followed for way too long. Perhaps it was time to find a new direction to give in to the green forest calls. The forest invited all. Fed all. And sheltered all. So why not? Stopping in my tracks I turned to face the forest watching the branches sway. I saw something magnificent happen the trees made me a path inviting me to leave my set path. I took it. But not walking. I ran, bounding past the course brown trees as they blurred with the green leaves. My feet slapping the ground whilst propelling me forwards. A smile crept on my face. I felt at home as if this always my home.

Then I heard it. A sound so vile even the crows of death feared it. Rebounding through the forest bringing with it a aura of death. And there it was again this time clear enough to tell what it was. What made the birds scatter and the trees croak. The bears cower and the deer to flee. It was only one vile thing that could cause such terror with it's voice alone.

A gunshot.

I ran to it's direction. With no clue as to why, any sane person would be running the other way. No, I wouldn't, the forest... she needed me, she wanted my help and I was gonna give it to her. My feet carrying me faster than before but, this time my feet made no sounds even against the crinkled leaves and twigs below. The forest guided me to the source as if genuinely begging me for help. I tripped on an exposed root seemingly ripped straight from it's mother's veins in the earth. Confused as to why the the branch suddenly had appeared. I looked around only to find something most peculiar. A bow with some arrows as if grown by the forest itself made of the strongest of elderwood you would find. I picked it up and felt it's power root deep inside my core. The bow still alive in my hands as if it was still a part of the forest and followed her will. I turned to the tree which now lacked a branch and thanked it. A feeling of satisfaction ran through me as if telling me my thanks was heard and appreciated by the tree herself. I steadied myself before taking off again towards the offender, a new intent to not only find him, but, stop his chaotic harm to the forest. To my home. I may have just got here, But, I felt responsible for it.. no for her. The forest was indeed alive and she needed help. She didn't even need to ask. I pushed my self harder and faster each new gunshot strengthened my resolve to speed up my progress. For every sound of a bullet whistling through the oppressing air sounded the demise of another unfortunate inhabitant. I had stop the evil that had found it's way here.

I came up to a clearing by a bush the trees covering me from their sight. What I saw angered my soul and set back alight the dormant fire within. Their giant metal beast were spewing dark smog that roamed around soo many dead inhabitants from the baby trees to the biggest bears none had escaped their path. Others similar to me only in body, held fire sticks which they fired at anything that moved or even if it didn't. The trees here were crying, for their children were gone, knocked over before their voices could be matured and heard. Animals tears could be seen as they watched their brethren slaughtered and cooked over the red flower that had lost it's place with nature for its greedy red hot claws. They wasted the food they had, leaving half eaten corpses never to be finished nor respected. As if it was some joke. My anger flared up as I took out my bow, arrow in hand clasping the rough but comfortable wood in my now course hands. I wasn't afraid I didn't understand it but, I felt at peace with the nature around me. She protects me.

So I will protect her.

I stood and climbed the nearest tree. Gripping his bark with my nails whilst being careful not to harm him. I reached the middle branches and perched myself there, watching the machines shred through trees as though they where twigs. My arrows would do nothing against them but their mounts were a different story. I drew the spider silk threads of my bow back to my cheek, arrow already notched in place, and let my eyes rest upon my targets heart. I was looking as if I were the arrow itself, searching for a route to fly. Releasing I felt the bows power increase as the arrow sliced the air and embedded itself in his chest. He slumped over on the controls making the metal beast spin out of control before tipping over. The others gathered around trying to find the cause of the accident. Their hearts were filled with a fear but no worry for their fallen brethren. They were scum, scum I would purge from this forest. Feeling the wood of my next arrow as I notched it I picked my next target. A man wearing a suit spewing orders out at the rest. The leader I thought. Once again I pulled back the threads feeling the pride and hard work of its creator through them as they streaked. I released my next arrow as it flew, guided by the forest winds to find itself stuck in his vile cold heart. He fell to his eternal sleep and with that my cover was blown for the arrow sat in their sight unlike the victim before. The trees made me a bridge between them with their branches as I ran along to find my next vantage point.

The scum below had their firestocks up scanning with their hate filled eyes. These weren't people nor creatures of nature. They weren't demons nor monsters. They were something nightmares stemmed from. Something absolutely disgusting. Their fingers trembled on the trigger out of fear for their own death not truly caring for their fallen, so long as they lived to tell the tale. I would not give them such luxury. Unlike before, my arrows flew one after the other as I ran through the trees blurred from sight. Each one hitting their mark, helped by the spirits of the wind on their journey. I kept going for hours. The trees supplying me with their hard worked wood as my ammo. The creatures dropping like flies by the second till I had come to the final one. She stood their crying holding no firestick, no defence not even for her frail mind. I didn't hesitate because of her gender nor age. No, There was many women and girls who had died by my bow, it was her tears. None of her fellow people had cried like that, nor shown any emotion but hate and fear. She was not crying for herself, but, for the women whose head laid on her lap.

I was about to notch another arrow when the tension in my bows threads relaxed, as if telling me she was no harm. It was true I saw her do no evil or harm. She had even tried to stop them from shooting a few times. It was why I hadn't blew out her life candle yet. So I heeded the forests wish and put away my bow an stowed my arrows. I jumped down, once again feeling the cool grass tickle my feet, bringing a smile to my face.

Still wary of the person before me I remained behind the Bushes I had first entered, watching her caress the women in her lap. She wasn't dead seems the forest only wanted her incapacitated, she was lucky for every arrow I let loose was with intent to kill. I stood and walked out to the barren land. I kept low as to remain unseen for a while longer. I must have seemed almost bestial to any onlookers but, it did the job, she didn't notice me till I was close, close enough to pounce: not that I was going to. She stumbled back in obvious fear I understood why but still didn't make me feel any better. Her face was ridden with the fear of thousands. But, when compared to the fear the forest had felt, it was still miniscule. Having been discovered I stood up straight feeling the wind caress my skins. I tried to take on a less hostile stance, my muscles no longer tensed ready for sudden sharp movements of battle. See me relax she to started to recompose herself as the tension in her face began to reced. She looked straight at my face looking for signs of malicious intent not finding any she began to calm down but still unwilling to let her comrad out of her grasp. The forest wished to heal her but could not whilst out in the aftermath of the scums work. I approached slowly watching her tense up again clutching her friend tighter in a futile attempt to protect her. Looking closer I saw their uncanny resemblance to one another. Parent and child perhaps? Sisters? Cousins? I guessed it was the former due to the age difference they seemed to hold.

"Don't come any closer... please" she wimpered out. I could not oblige her wishes for her mother's deepened wounds needed treating before it became fatal. I walked on over feeling the sick and scarred ground beneath my feet. It was dented by a stampede of metal beast and denied it's gracious covering of lush green grass. Once I was face to face with the girl I decided to speak as a reassurance.

"I mean no harm. Her wounds need tending to else she will die" I guttered out my voice gravely from long periods of being unused. My intent, however, was carried across regardless. She seemed distrusting which was expected after what I had just committed but, she had decided I was the best, not to mention only option for her precious ones survival. Now that I was close enough, I could properly take in her paralyzing features. Her hair redder than the red flowers dance and she was a perfect balance of all the human races. lips, a natural pink, not a hint of that ghastly synthetic makeup in sight. I paled at the thought of the workers true intentions for someone as enticing as her. She had no muscle or tools for such a task nor any apparent combat skills, perhaps she was knowlagable but I had my doubts for she didn't seem to have any notes or bark any orders to the scum during my time watching. I picked up her mother and noticed her to be lighter than the very bow I had strapped across my back. She was clearly malnourished and I hoped these signs wasn't what I thought they meant. Erasing the worries from my troubled mind, I signalled the daughter to follow, now desperate to get back to the motherly protection of the trees before the graceful sun set and the protective moon light shone once more. Again the cool grass soothed my now sore feet and warded off my mental torments. The trees directed my soul through the evening forests glow to a new place I can call home.

Approaching my destination, I was bewildered by such intricate spirals of trees of what closely resembled the comforts of a human home, yet held much more than one. His roots forming my basement while his branches formed my balcony so I could see over the tallest of trees, watch the sun set in full comfort and content. But there was no time for that as much as I wished there was, there was a wounded that needed my attention. I had no clue how to heal anyone. Never had to, I was alone for the majority of my life knowing only a distant mother's whistle for comfort. I had my late father's books, stories he had left behind after his exploration of the world, they kept me company when nothing else would. I would sit in his mahogany oak chair lined with the softest cushions you'd ever feel, that sucked you in as if it was never gonna let go and read his endless amount of fascinating stories. Stories that told of nature against men, Of the stars and how they illuminated their skys with otherworldly patterns, of the ancient beast that preyed the primal lands as well as the new metal ones that know only to devour and destroy. I learned how to not just survive in this globe but how to live in it. I learned how to live in harmony with the surrounding world taking what was needed and giving back what they did. I never thought I'd used those skills till I met this forest and her natural wonders of creation, these skills taught from books made by man at the cost of trees, had the key to living with them. Snapping out of my dreams of old and new, I redirected my attention to the women ploughed over my shoulder, she needed help fast. The forest would help, I knew it would.

I placed her tough, rigid but alarmingly light framed body on the pile of leaves the had grown near the corner of the room, making a silky leaf bed for her to collapse and rejuvenate on. The forest was indeed helping, it grew out herbs of all kinds and colours for me to pluck. I had no clue of the recipe or method so simply tried them all, when I had done it right my bow would constrict my chest like a snake snuggling it's befriended prey. After many attempts I finally brewed the herbs the right way, the ointment produced was disapproving to the eyes and even more so to the nostrils, daring to burn straight through them. There was no doubt, though this ointment as visually apawling, was the real deal and would save her life that was now hung by tearing threads of fate.

I looked at the daughter who was filled with deep concern and worry as if the fate of the universe balanced on her mother's recovery, a feeling I knew all to well from the terrifying days of old when a soft mothers embrace turned cold. I applied the ointment I had made while a blood red and sky blue orb weaver crafted the softest bandaide ever to be made and felt. She winced at the application but showed signs of relief and silence her bodies weak tremors. At this her daughter eyes watered up with drops of joy. There was one thing that still tickled at my active mind. Why is she here? What was a person such as herself doing among scum like them? So I voiced my query hoping for a honest response.

"Why was you with those people?" I asked not daring to even look in her direction lest I scare her back to her vegetative state I found her in.

For a small period silence hung heavy filling the room with it's girth untill she finally spoke.

"I.. We had no choice. We needed money to survive the cruelties of the world, to eat.. even to sleep safely" she spoke, it was clear she had been through more than she let on. Her voice caging her true feelings.

At this I understood her feelings she wasn't like me or the inhabitants of the forest. They could not survive without using that corruptive currency, they use in those human nests. And to get money you needed to work, slave away at Labour heavy task be it for mind, soul or body they had to give more than they could get.

"Was it the same for the others?" I asked hoping I hadn't killed them all for merely trying to live.

"No. They had more money than they needed. They simply wanted more and the land to build their smog emitting factories.. They were the worst of the worst." At that I felt relief encase me. Happy that I hadn't ended desperate peoples attempts to live in an unfair world.

I then heard a sound I hadn't heard in a long while. It was as if the world was growling inside me. The need for food was growing stronger and my stomach had started to voice it's wants. Only issue was how? How would I get enough food without hurting the forest? Sure I My answer came in the form of a bunny. It was alone and already at the end of it life. I heard a whisper in my ear " it is the circle of life. To live and die. To feed and be fed" at this my worried withered away the forest gave me it's answer I would hunt and gather but only what was needed and what was healthy for the forest. With the knowledge that one day I too would one day become food for the forest in one way or another. I drew my bow killed the little critter making sure it didn't suffer I killed two more as food for the others. I gather some stones and fallen sticks for a small fire and place them on the clearing at the centre of my tree home, careful not to let a single flame touch the generous tree I now resided within. The meat cooked on the fire whilst I left the pelt to dry out for tanning. During this whole process the girl merely watched unsure what to do.

"Do you eat meat?" I asked.

"... Oh sorry. Yes. Me and my mother eat meat.. thanks" she responded sounding distant.

So she is the girls mother. I thought to myself. The smell of the cooking meat filled my nostrils with pure delight and stimulated my already strong hunger. The mother began stirring in her sleep I could tell she was waking up. I was now on guard as she was still one of the scum that held guns before. The mother however merely got up slowly hand covering her obviously hurting head, the other explored the soft spider silk bandage that dresses the wound I had made.

She looked in my direction and immediately bowed her head, shocking me greatly.

"Thank you... Thank you soo much for saving us" she coughed out. I was still shocked why would she be thanking me when I almost killed her?

"Why? Why do you thank me? I nearly killed you" I countered. She had a thoughtful look encase her face, assessing her potential answered to my query. Her cheeks tightened as she thought.

"Keyword being nearly. And because you took us away from those vile.. ra.. monsters" she answered. Her slip up was noted and I understood clearly just what had been going on as much as I wish I didn't. It was not my place to pry so I simply turned away and handed then each a makeshift plate of strewn rabbit meat which they both scoffed down as if they hadn't eaten in weeks, which probably was the case. Once finished I gestured the mother back to her cosy bed now fitted with a orb weaver pillow and blanket: I noted to myself to repay the spiders with some juicy flies later. The daughter went to a similar but smaller bed, or more of a silky nest? next to it, I was relieved to see she had no problems sleeping an a spider made bed.

I however chose not to sleep in such a comfortable bed. Instead I climbed the tree to it's highest branch and laud there watching the stars dance with each other through the blackened sky. The balls of light spun past each other doing the walts through the night sky. Turning my head I saw the shooting stars dance the tango it was a sight that warmed my soul even through the frozen air of the night.

The forest was no longer the forest of come to know the past day, instead it was filled with new wonders. Dancing lights buzzing through the nights festive air; the sounds of a owl in the distance. The forest was luminescent, More than the sky. Dazzling colours in every view. I'd have to be mad to even consider looking away.

This was my new safe haven. My new world to protect with those who help. And I felt like I had lived here all my life. The way I had effortlessly gripped the elderwood bow and without miss ended those scum. No hesitation.. No familiarity of species. It was as if I was closer to the forest than the humans themselves. At this thought I knew I wasn't for to be human. Not even a little. So I wouldn't be human. Instead... I would be a protector a new race of people to live with nature and protect it as well as be protected in her loving embrace. My mind made up, I let mother nature lull me to sleep as the stars watch my back, defending me from harm.

In a office sweet elsewhere on the plagued globe sat a hideous creature, breathing more smog than the forest fires he caused. His disgusting appearance hidden by a modern days suit of armour. Designed to defend his stocks and profits at the expense of anyone else. His subordinate a fine example of innocent corruption, waltz in seemingly unaware of the suffering mother nature felt. This was not unusual, most of her kind didn't know her pain when her poor babies were chopped down by the thousands. When the creatures would set ablaze her nursery, home, playground and family just to build their own. She couldn't blame them for they had found means to escape the defined circle of life with a thing called intellect. Now mother nature was understanding, she wanted all her children's gifts to be celebrated and so she flourished at these creatures gift of the mind. But then she saw their minds begin to corrode leaving behind their unnatural greed and lust.

Mother nature had plans though. She wouldn't let her children fight anymore.

Even if it meant killing off some of them.