Waiting The Wait
It’s finally here—the big day. Or should I say, the big night? Either way, the moment of truth has arrived. According to the wise, cryptic, and totally not annoying Mr. OM, tonight is the fabled Purnima—the night drenched in supernatural energy. A small problem, though: there’s no moon. You know, because it was blown to bits during the 8th Great Conflict.
Honestly, I don’t know how Mr. OM rationalized a full moon without an actual moon. But hey, the guy wanders around town chanting who-knows-what, so logic clearly isn’t his strong suit. Whether he’s right or just a lunatic, I’m not letting this chance slip by.
So here I am, knee-deep in preparations for what I’m calling Operation Forest Siege. If something is going to happen tonight, I’ll be ready for it—or at least as ready as someone like me can be.
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Here my darling list of necessities-
First, the essentials:
1. Canned food – Enough to last a full-blown apocalypse. I’m just going to the forest for one night, but better safe than sorry.
2. Drinks – Non-alcoholic, obviously. Nothing says “bad decision” like stumbling through a forest buzzed.
3. Thermal blanket – Because forests have the magical ability to turn from sweltering to freezing in record time.
4. Flashlight – The industrial-strength kind that could probably signal aliens. If nothing supernatural shows up, at least I can blind myself for fun.
5. Portable energy pack – The lifeline of all modern adventures. No power? No problem. (Unless I forgot to charge this thing, in which case... huge problem.)
6. Noise-canceling headphones – The forest is terrifying enough without every rustle and chirp amplifying my paranoia.
7. First-aid kit – To remind fate that I’m not completely reckless. If I end up needing it, though, I’m blaming Mr. OM.
8. Metal rod – For... reasons. Look, I’m not saying it’ll help against ghosts or shadowy figures, but it makes me feel braver, okay?
9. Video recorder camera – For capturing whatever unfolds tonight. Paranormal activity or me screaming at a squirrel—it’s all content.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
10. Special spectacles – The most vital piece of equipment. Their primary function? Making me look ridiculously cool. Secondary function? Intimidating absolutely no one.
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The Long-Short wait
Though I’m fired up for tonight, it’s only 1 p.m. There’s still a lot of time till nightfall, and in a situation like this, time seems to crawl.
“Oh, every second feels like an eternity!” I groaned, flopping dramatically onto my bed.
Yes, yes, I know I’m being overly dramatic. But really, what am I supposed to do until then? Twiddle my thumbs? Knit a sweater for a squirrel? Write a heartfelt apology letter to the ghosts in case I accidentally offend them?
Then, like a bolt of divine inspiration, it hit me. Why don’t I just go to the forest now?
“Brilliant, Vrishti!” I exclaimed to myself. “I’ll head there early, find a good spot, and set up my base. That way, I’ll be totally prepared when the action starts!”
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The Great Journey
(Panting) (Breathing heavily)
“It was way harder to get here than I thought!” I gasped, practically collapsing under the weight of my bag.
I had gone completely overboard with the packing. Then, in a brilliant stroke of genius—or sheer stupidity—I decided to carry everything in one go. Because why make multiple trips when you can crush your own spine instead, right?
By the time I reached the edge of the forest, my arms felt like noodles, my legs were jelly, and my back was one wrong move away from permanently locking up.
To make matters worse, the judgmental gazes of passersby followed me the whole way. Oh, I could practically hear their thoughts:
“Look at that poor fool! Struggling under a bag that could crush her tiny, weak back!”
Okay, fine, maybe they weren’t all wrong. But the audacity! They’re buried in their screens 24/7, drooling over fake lives and virtual nonsense, and they dare to judge me? Sure, I’ve been glued to my own screen lately, but that’s completely different. Totally different.
And let’s not forget the final boss: Mom’s Nuclear Interrogation Barrage.
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Here comes the flashback!
“Where are you going with that bag?” Mom asked, her eyebrow arching higher than Everest.
“Uh... just, you know... observing the sky!” I said, trying to sound as casual as someone dragging a survival kit could.
“The sky? In the forest?”
“Y-yeah! The forest canopy creates a natural frame for stargazing, and I thought it’d be cool to, uh, observe!”
Mom wasn’t buying it. “And what exactly are you hoping to see?”
“Constellations!” I exclaimed, desperately grasping at straws. “You know, the stars that align into shapes like the Big Dipper!
She is not CONVINCED AT ALL!!!!
And why should she be? I am not a person who is interested in any kind of studying or stuff.
“I... just want to get some fresh air?” I tried, voice cracking slightly.
“Fresh air,” she repeated, deadpan. “And you needed an entire survival kit for that?”
“Uh-huh!” I said, nodding vigorously. “You know, just in case. Safety first!”
Mom didn’t look convinced, but eventually, she let me go. Barely.
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Even after all that, I made it to the forest. My shoulders ached, my back was screaming, and I’m positive I pulled at least three muscles I didn’t know existed. But none of that mattered because I was here.
“That’s a detective warrior for you,” I declared, standing tall (or as tall as someone bent under a giant bag can stand).
“And this baggage? No matter how heavy it is, it will never crush my determination!” I proclaimed, raising my fist in the air.
“FOR JUSTICE! FOR TRUTH! FOR... whatever’s out there!”
Then my stomach growled loudly, cutting my dramatic moment short.
“.....It's lunchtime I guess...."
I dropped the bag with a thud that echoed through the quiet forest and started rummaging for a snack. The canned food was staring at me smugly, as if mocking my struggle to open it without a proper can opener.
“Really?!” I muttered, glaring at the stubborn lid. “You think you can defeat me, huh? Think again!”
After a solid five minutes of wrestling with the can (and nearly stabbing myself with the metal rod in the process), I finally pried it open and devoured the contents. Not exactly gourmet, but it’d do.
With my energy partially restored, I turned to face the dense woods ahead.
“All right, Vrishti,” I said, slinging the bag back over my shoulder. “It’s time to crack the code of Mrs. Lightning and Mr. Footprint.”
I took one determined step forward, then paused dramatically.
“And if anything out there wants to mess with me—” I raised the metal rod like a knight brandishing a sword. “—just know I’m armed and sort of dangerous!”
"Let's goooooo"