The forest

Realization.

We walked and walked. But it seems like this place is endless.

We found nothing. No shelter's, No food, No people, And of course.. No exit.

"Geez. When are we ever going to get out of here?" I'm asked.

"I'm not sure, But i have a idea." Monica said as she turned toward me.

"What's that?"

"Well.. since going forward on the path didn't work, How about we go through the forest."

"But, There's poison ivy, And the trees are pointy. A-and there's snakes!" I complained

"Oh come on! We have to get out of here! Do you wanna be stuck here for the rest of your life? Left here to just starve?!" Monica asked me.

I was speechless. So I just shook my head, And followed Monica.

While we were going through the forest, I swore I kept seeing this shadow-like figure behind the trees. Slowly peeking behind the trees. Spying on us. Watching our every move. I thought it was just my imagination though, So I just ignored it.

But it started to freak me out. So I pointed it out to Monica. She just said it was probably a squirrel, But I know that it was more than just a squirrel. After a while, I still saw the figure. So I told Monica once again.

"Alex! I told you it's probably just a-" Monica stopped her sentence as she looked at the figure. She threw a stick at it.

"Ouch!" The figure said.

It slowly walked towards us, Walking into the light revealed a boy who looked around my age, With light red hair, And oddly familiar looking clothes.

"Why did you throw a stick at me?" He asked.

"Well why are you creeping around and stalking us?!" Monica replied.

"Geez sorry, I was just scared. By the way, Did you guys wake up here.. too..?"

"Yes. We did." Monica replied.

Monica looked him up and down. Then asked "Whats your name?".

"Oh, my name is Wayne." He said.

"Wayne? Wow. What a nice name." I said as I smiled.

"Oh, thanks.."

Monica looked at both of us.

"Well, do you want to come with us?" Monica asked Wayne.

"I have nothing else to do. And I want to get out of here."

"Good choice." Said Monica.

We continued deeper into the forest. The sun slowly started to set, and we got tired.

"We should rest for the night." Monica said.

Wayne and I agreed.

All three of us laid some logs down in a row, to sleep on. We continued to lay down on the logs. Not the most comfortable, but it's all we have.

I looked up. Seeing the long, narrow trees reach the starry sky, was somewhat calming. Pretty.

I slowly closed my eyes, and fell into a deep sleep.

Weird. I didn't dream. I usually do. But it had felt like I skipped through hours so quickly, within a instant. That doesn't happen when I sleep. I dream, and I'm still somehow aware that time is passing by. Maybe I'm just being paranoid. But something doesn't feel right.

I woke up.

That's it!

I said in my mind. I haven't been hungry. At all. I haven't felt thirst or hunger.

...

"How..?" I said quietly to myself.

I quickly looked around. Nothing seemed off....But, that's the thing. Everything looks the same. It looks like it's a loop repeating itself. Like, we're going through a invisible portal that's putting us back where we started.

I held my head, and closed my eyes.

"No..this can't be..!"

Is it...a simulation?