Once Upon a Story [ HIATUS ]

Broken Dream (2)

Part two!! I decided to split this because my editing lengthened the entry (felt right to cut it there).

Word count: 1223
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As the days piled on, everyone became increasingly tired. Blake watched everyone trail like zombies. Even Kyle, who always talked, could barely keep his eyes open by the fifth day. It was odd. Something about this journey drained them even more than usual.

"This is as far as I go, folks," the man in coach told them. "I'll be here for the next seven days, after which I'll depart with those who decide to return."

Blake looked at the path before them: The Fall, the outside border of Himili, an alpine fence with cliffs, narrow bridges and enough storms to send even the mightiest mountain sheep hiding in their dens.

Everyone nervously unloaded their things. By now, they were beyond exhausted and lacked all judgment to make the journey safely. Even when given a map, they could hardly focus their eyes on the paper to see directions. Blake, much to his displeasure, was the only one whose vision had yet to betray him.

He walked at the front of the group, going up the steep path. He looked back and counted nine people, not including himself.

Most of them look frail, he thought. Only one of us might make it.

He looked at his shaking hands, a side effect of his low caloric intake.

It might not even be me.

He sighed and trudged on. The first passed, and everything went easy. Only on the second day did the madness commence. Two travellers succumbed to their delusions, unable to march forward any longer. They were given food and sent back.

Eight travellers left.

The third day was easy travel and calm skies. At dusk, the group settled in a cave around a fire. Blake tore a bite of lizard meat from his stick and offered to do the first watch.

Sitting above the cave entrance, he felt an eery chill claw up his back. At first, he dismissed it as paranoia, but as the sense of doom grew increasingly perturbing, his body reacted, starting a cold sweat. He couldn't ignore it any longer. Something ominous was upon them.

When he alerted the group, half of them thought he was the delusional one. After all, they were prone to suffering delusions on their trip, and paranoia was no stranger to their days.

"Maybe let one of us keep watch instead?"

Blake wasted no more energy to convince them and picked up his bag, leaving the camp. To his surprise, Kyle and four others came with him.

"Gut feelings will save you in a place like this," Kyle shuddered. Blake nodded and continued further down the path. As they neared the bridge, a terrifying growl reached their ears. They shared looks of horror as screams and human voices filled the night. They scrambled to the next bridge on the map.

"We'll cross and cut the strings. Whatever is out there is on our trace," Kyle concluded. Blake made it across, and Kyle, walking in the middle of the line, pushed the two ahead of him to walk faster. He looked back once on the other side and gasped. A man and a woman had yet to set foot on the bridge.

"Come on!" he yelled. "We don't have much time!"

Turning to retrieve them, Blake stopped him. "They've already accepted it. Look."

The man witnessed the pair turn back and walk towards the louder growing footsteps. Blake cut the strings holding the bridge just as more screams echoed towards him. He looked up, seeing a beast pounce on the pair. The lion-like beast approached the opposite side with an arm in its jaws and blood staining its fur. Without a second look, Blake walked away to the sound of a low growl.