Westbane

Episode 2. 4 Dottie Palmwater

Elfrida

I found myself in the woods again, running. I was tired, sweaty, and terrified, the same emotions I had lived through countless times before. It felt as if I had continued where I left off, but this time, the pain I felt in my back coursed through my body twofold.

As always, something hit my back, knocking the breath out of me and bringing unbalance to my feet, as I ended up chest flat onto the wet ground. My lower back hurt, and just like I had done a thousand times before, I reached to touch it, winced at the pain, and felt lightheaded, seeing the dark blood on my fingers.

It hurt everywhere, but this time it was a little different, the side of my head throbbed, and my neck felt stiff.

I shivered, my body no longer warmed by exercise, my heart pounding from the desperation. The cold air enveloped me, smelling of wet dirt, mulch, and the rain that had poured from the sky.

That was when I heard it. Angrier than I'd ever heard his voice yell out my name. "Elfrida!"

I jerked awake, a groan escaping my lips at the force in which I had moved.  The pounding in my head matched the rushing pulses of blood in my ears. It hurt so much, and when I touched the top of my head, I felt the warm liquid that stained the side of my face.

The smoke coming from the car had me trying to stifle a cough.

With my head pounding, I opened the door of the car weakly, my left hand pressing on my head in an attempt to stanch the blood.

It all happened so fast; one minute I was driving, and the next, I flew through the air, tumbling deep into Bane woods.

Getting down, I looked around to see myself surrounded by endless trees.

Hopefully, not too far from civilization.

The air was thin and calm here, with no sound of birds or crickets. It was just so still, silent, and cold. Something about it didn't feel right.

Gauging the pain in my head, I was sure to have a concussion. But I was not too fond of hospitals, and I had no intention of visiting one soon.

The sound of rustling in the bushes nearby had my neck snapping in that direction, fear pinching at my neck as I pulled out my gun.

You know that feeling you get when you feel like you're not alone? Yes, that feeling was rippling over my skin, hairs rising, my whole body tensing and at full alert.

From the corner of my eye, I saw a dark shape speed by, and immediately, I pointed my gun in that direction—the shape disappearing as fast as it came.

With my heart pounding, I moved further into the woods, my gun outstretched.

Another shadow flew by, diverting my attention again, forcing me to make another turn into a corner. "Hello?!" I yelled into the silence, my voice barely traveling through the stagnant air around me.

I gulped, feeling another shadow flash by me. I jumped, the grip on my gun tightening as I turned sharply again.

Looking around, I knew I was lost because my car wasn't even behind me anymore. Had I traveled so far into the woods?

"You shouldn't be out here this late."

My heart almost flew out of my chest as I spun around in the direction of the voice, removing the safety from my gun and aiming it right at the person.

"Whoa, whoa, don't shoot." He raised his free hand in surrender, his other hand occupied with a hunting gun.

When my eyes locked with his, a strange tug pulled at my heart as my mind went off on its journey.