Duskwood Legends [English Version]

I cross my heart.

I don't even hear Alan's words, and I don't even feel his grip around my body. I hear only a distant muffled voice, which keeps repeating my name over and over again; but my name is covered by Jake's, which escapes from my lips in a desperate scream, broken by unstoppable crying. Tears furrow my face and end up getting lost in Alan's sleeve, on his arm wrapped around my chest.

I cannot perceive his embrace as comforting, it is just a grip that oppresses me and hinders my movements.

I try to get back up, appealing to my last remaining strength, but I can't. For a moment Alan's hands try to stop me, but then hesitate and let me go. I run the few inches which separate me from Jake's backpack, walking on my knees. I pick up his things and pull them close to my belly, curling on myself. I clutch the backpack tightly in my arms, as my cries cleave the air.

My pain is the only noise in the silence of the woods.

"Jake... Jake... JAKE!!!" I keep saying his name, gradually raising my voice, as if to call him.

Where are you, Jake?

You hid somewhere around here, didn't you? You sensed the danger in time and ran away, to take refuge among the trees, didn't you?

I'm shaking from head to toe and I'm short of breath in my lungs. I gasp as if I am underwater and I'm struggling with all my energy to keep my face to the surface. But finally, a force that doesn't even seem to belong to me urges me to rise up on my legs. I wipe away the tears, running the back of my hand over my eyes; they hurt like hell, they are red and throbbing, but I don't care. Now I have only one thought for my head, which manages to outweigh any physical or moral pain.

Maybe Jake hasn't been caught and is here somewhere.

I settle his bag on my shoulders, beginning to walk toward the trees in front of me. Alan, who until now had been silent and aloof, giving me the space I needed to vent and process what had happened, does the same. I can hear his footsteps getting faster, until they reach me.

His fingers rest gently on my forearm, then tighten around my wrist and hold me in place. "Where are you going?" He asks me. He stays behind me, not bringing himself to my side. I feel his breath, heavy and labored, over the nape of my neck. His chest moves erratically against my back, as if he is struggling to inhale.

I turn around to be able to see his face. I observe how his vision is turned downward, staring at the ground, and his features are drawn. What strikes me most is the distressed expression etched on his face. I think he blames himself for what happened and the sorrow is wearing him down. "I want to look for Jake here in the area, it's plausible that he's hiding in the woods..." I sketch a smile, sniffing up with my nose.

I see him raise his head, planting his gaze into mine. His judgment shines clear through his sad blue eyes, killing me like a stab in the heart. I know perfectly what he is thinking, that my guess is impossible for him. "His things are all scattered on the ground, it looks like there's been a fight..." He swallows and freezes instantly as he observes my expression filled with terror.

Without responding to his words, I retract my arm with a little tug, then start walking back toward the woods. Alan softly utters my name and lets out a loud sigh, but he doesn't stop me; he simply follows me in silence, staying behind my shoulders. Perhaps he doesn't have the courage to bring me back to the facts, making me open my eyes; or he knows I need to try them all before giving up. Even the most unlikely possibilities.

I retrace the path where we walked this morning, calling Jake's name loudly. Even Alan, probably pitied by the scene and my stubbornness, appeals to him. He shouts and looks around, letting me lead the search, not hurrying me back.