Not Me!

the Forest Figure

(Y/N)'s POV

Hundreds and hundreds of clouds slowly wandered the sky. The sun warmed my skin and made my boyfriend by my side shimmer. The grass tickled my skin amongst the flowers in the field.

I could be here forever to enjoy the breeze, peace, and everything around me. To lay here and not have to worry about anything felt nice; no nightmares of James or tests and homework to stress about. It's like a dream come true.

I didn't have to utter a single word to make or break this moment. We're both content lying in the grass. Edward laid on his side to face me.

The wind made the trees sing; the grass and beautiful flowers danced along to its tune. Birds were like background singers. This would have been the perfect place to bring my violin.

My violin has been sitting in my closet for a little while since prom. I should free it from its abandonment soon. It would be good for me to bring back into my hobbies more. Awakening passions would bring me joy and a distraction from the painful and fresh memories.

Though my mind draws back to that figure I saw that night. I thought about all the consequences of me knowing about vampires and that figure. It went hand in hand.

That person would know because they watched me get attacked by one. They might think it's not real and their mind is playing tricks, or they're telling people. I wouldn't know unless I found them and questioned them.

They might be scared. I would be, too, if I watched someone being savagely eaten before my very eyes. I'm scared remembering being the prey. I could remember it all, even though I wish I could forget.

The white-hot pain consuming me and the hard, icy grip on my body. My aching ribs pressed into the muddy, hard earth. I'll remember for as long as I'm alive. Maybe they would, too.

I needed to be sure that the secret didn't come out for the sake of the man by my side and his family. They are like a home away from my own. I'll do what I could to help them, and that is it.

I slowly sat up in the grass. Edward sat up with me. "Is something wrong? Where are you going?" He put an icy hand on my shoulder.

"I'm alright, Edward. I'm just going to go study and whatnot." I kissed his cheek as a farewell. I loved him even if it felt like kissing a solid block of ice.

"I'll go with you." He stood up to his full height and snatched his coat off the ground.

"Um...no, it's okay. It'll be easier to focus if I just went and studied on my own, thanks." I slowly walked on the grassy field. I kept glancing over my shoulder. He stood still like time had stopped.

His shimmering face looked heartbroken. He stood as still as a statue, too. I turned back around and kept walking. He looked like a kicked puppy, and I didn't want to change my mind because of it.

I got into my car and drove away, leaving him behind. I'll apologize to him later, but I have my mind up now. That figure in the woods that night is someone that I need to find out more about.

Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me. A fluke of my sight and nothing more; I wouldn't know until I looked. My hands gripped the steering wheel tight.

Nervousness stirred in my mind as I watched and listened to the car go over gravel with the occasional bump. The engine rumbled and roared on the road.

Rain pittered and pattered on the windshield.  It would have been relaxing otherwise, but with my destination, it only served as a reminder. That night echoes in my head, and I force it to the back of my mind to the best of my ability.

Hours upon hours of open road littered my path to that forest. The rain beat down on my window like a drum. Fog covered the ground and covered the roots of trees.

Flashes of James' face came to mind like unwanted flash photography. I kept trying to brush it aside as the area grew more and more familiar.

"He's not alive anymore," I mumbled under my breath. "He can't hurt me again. Just forget him." I ordered myself like that would do something for my mind.

I stopped my navy car on the outskirts of that dreaded forest. My car sat on the side of the gravel-paved road. Rain pelted down on me and dripped from trees.

I grabbed my bag from my trunk and started my hike into the woods. "Why do I even think this person is still out here?" I mumbled to myself. My flashlight flickered before staying on.

The mud clung to my shoes, but I forced my feet to keep trudging forward. The beam of light swept over the forest floor as I got further and further in.

The only thing that is keeping me going in this cold and dark forest is hope. The hope is ever-shrinking as I go on, though, like a little bug skittering under the feet without getting stomped.

I kept going with my little hope forward. Rain soaked through my clothes and sent chills down my spine. This will all be worth it; at least, that's what I'm counting on.

My heart sank as soon as I caught sight of a stump. At the bottom, the slumped-over body of a girl rested. If she's dead or alive isn't clear.

She looked like she could use some help, and her figure reminded me of who I was searching for. She might be it, but I wouldn't know for sure.

"H-hello?" My voice shook in my cold, teeth shattering as I inched to her side. "Are you okay?"
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1003 Words