Sanguine (Ateez)

0.09

This chapter takes place around the same time as San and Seul's dreams. Let's get it!

The morning sun hit my skin and my eyes fluttered open. Above me millions of leaves danced and swayed. The wind pushing them about, knocking one loose every now and then.

The bark of a tree scratches against my neck, I was leaned up against a tree. I cast my gaze from the leaves above me and look around, taking in my surrounding. I was in a forest, the sun shining through the leaves, dappling the plush grass I sat on. Very little undergrowth and bushes grew, just lots of trees.

I stumbled up from the ground and walk forward a little bit. The grass tickled my bare feet as I stopped again and looked around. Off a little to my right sat a small lake, a water fall calmly fell into it. Birds sat in the branches above my head, adding to the melodious sound of the forest. The splashing or water and chirping paired with the rustle of leaves put me at ease.

No matter where I looked I saw trees, this forest must be big. "Hello?" I questioned out. "Is anyone here?" My voice was quiet and cracked from straining it after so long of no use. My tongue felt heavy and dry, sandpaper against my mouth.

I walked forward to the small lake and crouched down, sticking my hand out to test the water temperature. The coolness of it washed over my fingers, deeming it safe enough I cup my hands together to make a bowl to drink from. I drank a few cup fulls then took some to wash over my face. The coolness chased away any sleepiness and I stood up, shaking my hands off.

A soft thud echoed around the quiet forest and I turned around. On first glance I saw nothing out of place, everything seemed well. I wandered around slowly scanning the ground in search of what fell.

A willow tree sat a little bit farther away from the water fall. I started toward it, in my pursuit to find the noise maker. The grass was longer here, reaching a little past my ankles, so I watched where I stepped. I stopped moving once again to listen. The rustling of the wind also stopped along with the chirping of birds. It seemed as though all of the nature was waiting for me to find what fell.

I stood still a little longer straining my ears and holding my breath to try and listen. My efforts weren't fruitless, as I heard a small chirp come from somewhere closer to the trunk of the willow tree. I slowly and carefully walked forward, not wanting to step on what sounded like a bird.

The grass was disturbed from the uniform way it stood, in one spot, and it was here that I stopped my search. I crouched down and slowly parted the grass, a orange beak opened wide was what I came face to face with. A featherless baby bird sat in the grass. It's body was still a light gray and it's eyes still shut, the eyes moving beneath the eyelids cast a dark gray color through the thin eyelids. The only color other than gray being there bright orange beak. Chirps and small screams erupted from the bird when I moved the grass. The mother must have been out, looking for food at this time.

I know that touching a baby bird can lead to the mother abandoning it, but what am I supposed to do. I looked around for something to pick up the bird with, but I am in a forest, so I found nothing. I looked down at myself and quickly stripped off my shirt, running back over to where the baby bird was. I bent down and carefully picked it up. Making sure it was situated comfortably, I turned my head up towards the tree, looking for a nest.

The wiriness of willow tree allowed me to see the birds nest easily. It just just about one foot above me, near the crotch of the tree. Not knowing how to go about climbing onto the branch with the bird in my hand I tried jumping. My fingers lightly brushed the nest with each jump. Figuring it the best way to get the bird home, I jumped up, holding the bird above my head. When my fingers brushed the nest I softly flung my hands forward, toward the nest, and let go of the bird. I hit the ground and looked up to see if I had missed the baby sat it the nest safely, I smiled up at it. Turning around in triumph I marched toward the lake and sat there.

I'm not sure how long I sat in the serene quiete, but it was interrupted by a strong presence. A feeling of warmth and comfort washed over me. The purity and beauty of this place enhanced. I looked around slowly and saw nothing. "Hello?" I questioned "Hello." A soft voice spoke. I look towards the water fall where fog shaped into a humanoid shape. It walks closer and I stumble up onto my legs.

It towers over me taller than any human ever has. Shimmering gold eyes look down at me in adoration. "You're so strong. You've passed my first trial. But I must warn you that life may be a little different from now on. But I chose you for a reason. You're strong. Now go, wake up. Your friends are waiting. Yeosang."

Happy New Year's Day everyone! Let's hope next year treats us well!