The Trees of Evermore: Short Story
"The Trees of Evermore" is a short story about a boy who gets trapped by a forest only to discover the trees believe he is the arbiter of an ancient pact made before the time of modern man. Now, young Jared needs to find a way to convince the forest who he really is and escape alive.
Publication History: In 2008, "The Trees of Evermore" won first place in the North Shoreian Magazine's Annual Fiction Writing Competition, after which the story was then published in issue 9.
Disclaimer: This short story is free at judahmahay.com/the-trees-of-evermore/, but cost $.99 elsewhere.
The forest watched Jared run. He could feel their eyes on him, even if he didn’t believe it. He had grown to love these woods, and today he felt a part of them. He moved among them. Under branch, over fallen tree, around bush, and across stream, he ran, more akin to the forest than a passenger under its shadowy gaze.
He never ventured so deep before this. His heart raced. The taste of forbidden sweetened his lips. He wouldn’t be able to return before dark. He laughed at the sense of freedom.
The sky was closing. Branch intertwined with twig and trunk, becoming a barrier between him and the sky. Jared squinted as his eyes adjusted, but didn’t slow his prideful steps. Nothing would stop him. He would see the heart of the forest, of which the townspeople spoke in haunted whispers and dark corners. A forbidden place, and he would be there. His determined heartbeat to the rhythm of his goal.
Drew McDowell on Goodreads wrote:An exquisite story from a new talent. A real treat from first word to last.the author has protean talent . Stay tuned for more.
The author does an incredible job of really immersing the reader in the setting. Each character is very distinct and offers a unique flavor in the story of which they are apart.
I would be very interested in more work regarding The Trees of Evermore.