Curse of the Phoenix

Chapter 11 - ...

"..."

"Matt, I think we should go back. It's getting dark."

Beside him was a concerned Aelia. Alive and well.

"M-Matt? Why are you looking at me like that?"

It's her. She's... not dead. H-how? And why isn't he dead? Is he... Around him were giant trees and bushes with golden berries. The sky was turning black and the stars were slowly revealing themselves. A sweet smell entered his nose and his stomach threatened to vomit his insides, but he covered his mouth and held it in.

"Matt? Are you alright?" She stroked his back, lightening the painful storm welling up in his stomach.

"Aelia..." Matt stared at her, "Aelia, are you... really alive?"

Her eyes widened at his words. Matt shook his head and looked at his feet.

"I-I'm sorry... it's just... I was..."

"It's alright... Let's sit down for a moment."

He plopped down on the grass and sighed. What the hell? Did he just daydream about her death? Was it even real? Aelia looked just fine, and they were still in the same forest. So... what the hell happened?

"Hey, Aelia... What are we doing right now?" It was a weird question, but it's better than, "Did you die recently?"

"Right now? Well, you wanted to look around, right? Is there something wrong?"

"No, no. My mind just... blanked out there for a second. I was just thinking about—"

Wait. In his... dream, there was a scream, right? It probably came from a girl. If it were true, wouldn't that mean that whoever screamed got eaten by that plant? Its jaws were dripping with fresh blood when he hung above it. That must've been the girl. If he leaves now, Aelia will be safe, but... is he really going to let someone die like that?

Stop it. It's not real. He's just imagining things. But then again... he had a weird dream this morning. Was this one true, too? In any case, he'll have to—

"Matt? What were you about to say?"

He jolted at her words. "O-Oh, nothing, nothing... Hey, what do you want to do right now?"

"Me? Well... I'd like to get back on the trail."

"Yeah, just the same as last time..."

"What?"

He clutched the grass under him and sighed. She wants to go, but he wants to stay. What was he supposed to do?

"Um, Aelia... What if you just go ahead by yourself for a bit and I'll—"

"Of course not! This forest is dangerous. There might be something hiding, and it's almost nighttime. Why would you even suggest something so—"

"B-But, it's only for a moment. I think if you keep going straight in that direction," Matt pointed at what he thought was the right direction, "then you'll—"

"Absolutely not. I'm not leaving you, but I don't want to stay here any longer. It's getting really dark."

The night had turned black while a show of stars glimmered in the night. A howl echoed through the forest, disturbing the Yellowfurs. That howl... It's the same as last time.

"Come on, Matt. We can come back later." She got up and reached out a hand to him. Her hand patiently waited for his while he just sat there.

"Matt? What's wrong?"

That's when a high-pitched scream resonated through the forest. He clutched his hair and tucked his legs in. It's happening again, it's happening again...