The Hunter's Mask

The Hunter's Mask: Part two "Calm"

Your name is still Alec. You're in your teenage years. Your eyes are still bright green, as colourful as emeralds. Your legs, strong and efficient from years of running, move on their own. You're forced to rise from the water. From the bloodied Water. It all comes rushing back to you. How your friends hunted you down. Pushed you off that cliff into the water. Wait- That never happened... I fell. I wasn't pushed at all! Th-they would never- Yes, pushed off the cliff, betrayed by your best friends. They were so angry when you survived. They heard you scrambling in the water. They came down, calling your name and brandishing their weapons. No! They were worried for me, they tried to help- They scratched and tore at your face with their claws, you were so helpless. Then you found the sword, didn't you Alex? I- My name's not Alex, it's... Yes I found the sword. And I- I- You begin to sob. But The voice, the one that wormed into your thoughts, reassures you. You defended yourself didn't you? You fought back the savage beasts all on your own. They questioned your weakness but you showed strength in that moment. No. They asked me about the... about the mask! Alex... what're you talking about? There's no mask. You come back to your senses. Your legs have carried you away from the carnage. Now you find yourself beneath an oak tree. You remember with anger how you once hid from the beasts in it's branches. They'd come clawing up or launching arrows at you, but with a smile you recall escaping their grasp every-time. Heh, they never caught me! You say, grinning ear to ear beneath the mask. Doubt creeps in. You search desperately for the voice, what thoughts are real? Which memories can you trust? R-right? They never got me did they? Many times. Their arrows would pierce your flesh, their claws tore and their blades bit deep. You look to your arms and legs, searching for scars. Your vision blurs. I want to see! Then look there Alex. Look with your sparkling red eyes. At the monsters' home. Memories come flooding back to you. Fondly you remember opening gifts on Christmas day. You received so many from the beasts. Plenty of sweets, a new pair of boots, your own cloak! But the two alphas took them away from you. The mother and father took those things from you. They banished you from the house and sent the beasts to hunt you. Your grip tightens around the sword. Stop. You beg. Please I don't want to do this. Alex. You hate them. The world deserves to be rid of those cruel beasts! The mask, it must be what's doing this to you. You clutch your face desperately hoping to feel it. You struggle to discern between the voice and your own thoughts. Stop it. Your body goes limb, or is it trying to talk to you again? I have to get this mask off! There is no mask. Your grip tightens around the sword again, you feel your arm moving. There is no mask. Just talk to me! Stop making everything so confusing! You're not having another panic attack, are you Alex? Just calm down. I don't get panic attacks! Stop messing with your head! You take a deep breath and look towards the home of your family. The home of your mother and father. The home you loved, the life you loved... The den of the beasts who betrayed you, banished you, hunted you down, took things from you. Your mind is made up. Of course I'm calm. Your name is Alex. You're a teenage boy. Your eyes are like rubies. Your legs, strong from running, move as you command them. You rise from your sitting position.