Shadow Thief

Chapter 3

My ears were killing me.

A gentle throbbing was insistently pounding at my skull. A beat of pain that seemed inconsequential next to what it had been before.

What had it been before?

I struggled through my memory to find a trace of what had happened, but I came up blank.

Even before I opened my eyes I knew I wasn't at the apartment: that wretched place smelt damp and musky. And although a damp scent lingered in the air, it was fresher. More like a spring morning

The odour that wafted into my nostrils was a comforting aroma of fallen leaves and moss-covered trees. Sadly it was overpowered by a coppery tang that could be nothing other than blood.

Perfect.

Forcing myself to open my eyes and take in my surroundings I let myself adjust to the sudden brightness it brought, yet not before it could send a pang of discomfort through my head.

I gasped in disbelief. I didn't see how something could be so beautiful. It had stolen the air from my lungs leaving me utterly breathless at the sight.

Was I dead? Because if I was I didn't care. This was heaven. A sanctuary of endless colour, of the most detailed and delicate designs ever to be seen. The sort of intricate natural beauty only nature could create.

Slowly, I sat up letting a cool breeze wash over me.

It was indeed a forest. However, it wasn't a normal forest. Imagine the Amazon rainforest and its abundance of life and think of that as a cat next to a lion and you will have what this forest is.

Blues, purples, and greens swirled together into trees taller than the Eiffel Tower. Vines and flowers intertwined. Animals and insects I didn't realise existed scuttled back and forth in a hum so loud it could rival London rush hour.

Right then, while admiring the spectacle, everything came rushing back like a tidal wave. Violent and brutal.

The eclipse.

My breath caught in my throat. Where was I? This was no Paris. Did I go to England? This was no London. The last thing I remembered was walking out of the shop with Andre, then the overwhelming pain with that bizarre eclipse.

Andre. Where was Andre?

Rushing to my feet I scanned the forest. Just a few seconds prior I had been calling it heaven, now it felt more like a cage. The trees are so dense, I would have to claw my way through to find anything. Anyone?

'Andre' I shouted out, 'Andre are you there?'

I picked up the bag that had come with me and started walking aimlessly towards a gap in the trees. Where I had awoken was a small clearing. Maybe I should stay there. Wait. Hope someone finds me. Hope someone is here.

'Andre,' I screamed again. Desperate for a sign of familiarity. Clinging to the idea that I had someone with me.

I walked forward listening to the crunch of decomposing leaves beneath my feet. I circled the area, 'Please let him be close,' I pleaded to anything that would listen. I gazed up at the canopy, as if that held an answer. The sun only blinded me as it found a way to my eyes through the cracks in the leaves. 'Me and the sun don't seem to be getting on very well at the moment.' I thought to myself.

The hum of birds taunted me. Dancing on branches of deep blue. The wind was no better. I mean seriously I was dressed for winter. Yes my coat was old and tattered but it did its job well enough. And the god forsaken wind had the audacity to be warm. Making me all sweaty and sticky, which was not a pretty sight. I would discard the coat but I was already carrying my bags and couldn't afford to leave it behind. I carried on.