Distant Lands
Bad Habit

After experiencing the wrath of a superhuman, I realized that forming relationships with these aliens would only complicate my life while here.

I don’t have the guts to tell Ivan about Lenna’s bullying. I’m afraid she will take revenge on me if I do. Her superhuman strength can probably knock my head off my shoulders, and she can murder me with one hit. The best option is to remain at a distance from them and concentrate on surviving every day. I was losing my damn mind at the Ranch. My strategy to ignore everyone was easier said than done; it was impossible; it was hell.

The only solution I found was to leave the Ranch. I had to get away for a while. It’s been a month now of distancing myself. If my family could see me now, they would shame me. I’ve been drinking liquid courage every day. Living out here in the forest in total loneliness is killing me. At the safe house, I had Orion. Here, I’m entirely alone.

I never thought I’d stoop this low, but numbing my feelings, has been the only thing keeping me sane. Damon’s whiskey bottle has come quite handy. Then I ran out of it and found more bottles in the kitchen pantry.

Walking through this forest while drinking my bottle of whiskey is part of my daily routine. Survival takes priority over attending classes. Lenna's bullying was getting too dangerous. The last thing she did to me hurt like hell.

I was walking to class in the hallway, just minding my own business, when she bumped her shoulder onto me so forcefully I hit the wall so hard; that I thought I would go through it. That was the last time I attended classes.

Who cares anyway? What are they going to do to me? Suspend me or kick me out? Will they tell my stepmom? I laugh and take a drink of my whiskey.

I sit down on the dirt ground with my back against a tree. I look up at the branches and watch the leaves move in the wind. I inhale deeply, and the air feels cool and fresh. I rest my head back on the tree and close my eyes...

I hear a bird caw, startling me awake, “Oh, shit, I’m falling asleep.” I grab my bottle from the ground and get up. I walk on the path I created that leads deeper into the forest. I came into the woods a few weeks ago trying to replace peace.

When I was walking, I randomly came across an abandoned cabin. I was careful when approaching it. I was afraid I had stumbled into another doorway, fearing it would lead me to a different world. But it wasn’t a doorway; it was an actual cabin. I cleaned it up a bit, and since then, I have been staying here.

When I run out of food, I sneak into the kitchen during the night and take what I need. Also, the ranch has plenty of food outdoors, with the orchards and vegetables that are grown in the fields. I’ve gotten quite good at sneaking around.

I reach the boundary that leads to the cabin. I placed a mixture of broken nutshells, branches, and twigs around the cabin’s perimeter. It will be helpful to warn me when someone approaches the cabin. Nobody has come looking for me, so maybe they probably haven’t even noticed that I’ve been gone. I reach the cabin and open the squeaky wooden door.

I lay down on my blankets on the floor and go to sleep for the night.

***

Loud cracking noises wake me up. I jump up from the floor like a startled cat, get close to the cabin window, and peer out. Something or someone is walking outside, stepping on my perimeter.

Lights glow in the distance. Oh shit, what if it’s a vampire? I quickly get my backpack, shove my essentials, and put it on. I run to the door and open it as quietly as possible. The door makes a squeak—damn door.

I look at two tall, dark figures ahead of me, standing still, staring at me. I look at them wide-eyed, and I bolt, running into the forest's darkness.

I run like hell, and I can hear branches breaking behind me. I thought of this possibility as well. To give me a chance to escape, I put roadblocks on the ground. I placed logs and sticks sticking up from the ground to trip anybody chasing me.

I jump the first roadblock and hear a loud thump behind me. It worked! It tripped whoever was chasing me. Someone groans in pain.

I jump over the second roadblock. But this time, whoever is chasing me jumps over it as well. Now it’s life or death, and I run faster, my heart thumping in my ears.

I hear the footsteps feet away from me now, and I know the chase is over. I feel someone tackle me; we both fall to the ground rolling to a stop. I turn on my back, breathing hard. I look up, and the second tall figure arrives and shines the light on my face.

I squint up at him, blocking the bright light with my hand. Both of the guys are also catching their breath. The man standing shines his light on the man sitting on the floor.

Oh, it’s Ethan, looking at me angrily. I sigh in relief, knowing they weren’t vampires. I lay on the ground, still catching my breath, looking up at the stars shining brightly in the night sky.

Ethan gets up from the floor, “Get up,” Ethan says, looking down at me.

They don’t wait for me to get up on my own. They come towards me, grab onto my arms and lift me to my feet. Still holding onto my arms, we start walking.

“Alright, you guys can let go of me now,” I say.

Both Ivan and Ethan remain silent. I think they are angry with me. We continue walking up the road in silence. When we get closer to the building, the silence is killing me.

“It’s nice to see you guys... So, what have you guys been up to? I ask, and they remain silent. "I’ve missed you guys... Can you guys just say something to me?”

Ethan looks at me and shakes his head. He lets go of my arm and goes inside the building.

“Why is he so angry?” I ask. Ivan squeezes my arm and turns me to look at him.

“You still ask why he is angry? We are angry and disappointed in you, Elizabeth!”

Ivan walks me into the building toward the Infirmary and a recovery room.

“Ivan, I’m sorry.”

Ivan turns around and exits without saying a word.