The Hunt

T W O

"There are more bodies, what killed them," the same recurring thought went through my head.

I made my way through the Woods, not daring to turn back because the knights would eagerly stab their metal swords through my heart. Along the way more bodies appeared, strewn against the trees brutally. I tried to avert my eyes but the same question as to what killed them forced me to stare.

Ashen white skin, tree branch piercing through stomach flesh, and eyes completely gouged out. But I dared not stare to long for if whatever killed them was coming after me than I needed to be fast and quick. The Woods stretched a good bit of mileage but if I could make it out alive then I would come across a new kingdom, I could create a new identity. But first I needed to make it out alive.

The Woods, despite their not being much movement or the screech of animals, still had a sense of creepiness. The trees whispered in the wind, the foliage almost seemed to have something within, and everything was so silent.

Then, came a noise and for a moment my feet were set and my heart was racing until I saw what it was. Nothing but a young squirrel. My heart beat a little slower and fear dissipated. But then I saw it, a python with scales of green, and in one quick moment the snake swallowed the squirrel whole. The snake gulped the squirrel down, its full body consumed in the insides of the snake. 

Oh god. The python slithered forward, moving with lightning speed, and I snapped out of my frozen state and started to move. The snake chased for a few moments but when fear is gripping me coldly, then I would push myself as far and fast as I could.

Somehow it kept up, suddenly having a desire for human flesh, and I knew that soon even I would tire and stop. I kept running as fast I could, deeper and deeper into the heart of The Woods. 

Suddenly, a young girl appeared. Well, not a full human girl, made of human flesh. It was one of The Faces, a spirit and ghost, dedicating whatever was left of them to haunt human souls. I didn't know what to fear more: the snake or the ghost. Before I could even decide, the ghost moved with blinding speed, and with heavy exertion managed to pick up the python. It was a weird sight to see, a ghost almost transparent but loosely colored white, picking up a python. My eyes widened in heavy fear as the ghost-like thing pulled and then snapped the snake in half.

Blood and the insides of a snake splattered everywhere. It was a horrible sight as the two pieces of the snake fell to the ground. The eyes of the snake soon lost it's menacing light and life.

Before I could even comprehend what had happened, the ghost spoke with a heavy rasp as if her voice had been unused in ages. A wicked smile danced on her lips as she spoke, 

" Don't want to let the snake kill you, if I'm gonna do it first."