Into the Darkness

Chapter 1

Connor's POV

The heat of the jungle seemed unbearable as I walked through the thick undergrowth. I paused. I felt inconsistency among the broken branches and leaves. I slowly crept up to the tangles. It rustled. I stopped again, then continued. I got close enough to touch and peered through the leaves. But there was nothing. I moved my face closer. A small tendril snaked it's way out of the small opening. I put my hand out gently and the vine rested in my hand. It curled around my finger and slithered up towards my arm. I closed my eyes. The voice of the jungle whispered in my ear ijumble of foreign language. Then the tendril twisted around my neck and tightened. A dark haze of red spread around my face. I let out a choked gurgle, then fell to the ground.

I jerked awake to see the floor getting closer by the second. The tightness around my neck did not disappear instantly. It lingered until I realized it wasn't going away. I really couldn't breathe. I was lightheaded and weak and unable to move. I placed my hands around my throat and felt the tendril digging into my skin. Desperately, I dug my fingers past its death grip. I ripped the thing off me and ly ther panting, the vine in my hand. I coughed and heaved in great gulps of air. Then I held up the tendril.

Looking at it closely, I could tell it wasn't really a vine. It was a thick stringy thing. I started to panic as it wrapped itself around my wrist, then relaxed as it loosened its grip. I glanced up at my twin sister, who was sleeping in peacefully in the top bunk of our bed. The string tugged me towards the door and I followed it. It dragged me outside and started for the woods.

"I don't wanna go in there, not at night." I said.

It pulled harder. I shook my head forcefully and began to back away. The string swung to my leg and twisted itself around my leg and yanked me forward. I lost my balance and fell. I let out a yelp of shock as it grew in length and gabbed it's way further into the woods. It gained speed quickly and dirt clung to my clothes as I was dragged.

"Stop! No! I said I don't wanna!" I screamed.

A minute later, the string stopped. I stood up, wobbled slightly, and looked around. I was deep into the forest and only a speck or two showed through the dende leaves. The string pulled me toward a strangely skinny tree and shoved my hand on a gnarled nub on it. I felt confused. It was just one stupid tree. Why on earth did it drag me out for one stupid tree?! The string twisted my hand. The nub stayed with my hand and turned as well. I heard a click. Behind me was the sound of grinding rock. I jerked around and saw a small stone doorway. The entrance was covered in cobwebs, vines, and...blood.