Full Moon II Stiles Stilinski

I

Elara

The cold ground against my feet was the first thing I felt as I stood barefoot surrounded by enormous trees. I turned my focus down, looking at my thin pajama shorts and tank top. The forest around me was dark, and if it weren't for the full moon illuminating my surroundings, I wouldn't be able to see at all. I Inhaled deeply, taking in the cold air and the smell of leaves and pine.

I didn't remember how I got there, I didn't even recognize my surroundings. I felt around, using my five senses to assure myself that my surroundings were real. I felt the instinct to panic, but I forced myself to stay calm and attempt to find my way home.

I slowly began to walk, maintaining caution with every step. My eyes never stopped moving, making sure nothing would jump out of the shadows. The leaves slowly moved in the warm summer breeze, but as I emerged further into the forest, I noticed that the trees and my footsteps were the only noises surrounding me. I was completely alone, but I couldn't help but feel watched.

It seemed like I had been walking for hours. My surroundings hadn't changed, it was like I was stuck in a constant loop- until I stumbled upon a clearing. The moonlight shone down the open space. I allowed my eyes to fully adjust to the open ground before me. I looked up at the moon and allowed myself to feel a sense of peace. I began to emerge closer into the clearing, but then I saw them. Two bright blue eyes appeared before me from across the large clearing. They pierced through the darkness, leaving a disturbed chill down my spine. I knew what those eyes belonged to, and what they meant. I bared my claws and felt my fangs. I allowed my vision to sharpen, leaving my eyes the familiar shade of golden yellow.

Fear was growing inside me, but I  couldn't help but feel drawn to the figure before me. I proceeded into the clearing with caution, bringing myself closer to the creature in the distance. Its eyes remained on me, they were still, and since I had noticed them, they hadn't blinked at all. I got close enough to make out what the creature looked like, as I was allowing my eyes to adjust to the lighting change, it jumped forward.

I was hit with adrenaline, and without thinking, I turned on my heel and ran. I ran and refused to look back. I know I should have fought, and figured out who was trying to attack me, but flight had won over fight. The trees blurred around me as I pushed through tree branches and tried to lose the creature running after me. No matter how far and fast I ran, the forest would never end. It was like a maze of shadows and trees constantly on loop.

Before I had the chance to examine my surroundings below, my bare foot hit a sharp stone, sending me hurling toward the earthy ground below me. Pain shot through my foot, and eventually through my entire body. The creature was catching up to me, I could feel its eerie presence nearing closer from behind me. My whole body was hurt and tired, and all I wanted was to be back in the comfort of my home.

I began to try to push myself up from the ground, but the creature was faster than me. My face was towards the ground, but I could feel it looming from on top of me. I shut my tear-filled eyes as hard as I could, preparing myself for what I was about to face, and then the world went silent.

My body shot up and my eyes flew open. I found myself back in my bedroom, the familiar walls of my bedroom filled with band posters surrounded me. I looked over to my window, noticing that the moon was nowhere near full. My whole body was shaking, and I couldn't control my racing heartbeat. My pajamas stuck to my body with sweat and I felt like I was about to hyperventilate.

I pulled my blanket closer to me, allowing myself to process that what I had just experienced had been a nightmare- an extremely vivid nightmare. I laid back down and shut my eyes with fear still lingering inside me. I couldn't help but wonder who those blue eyes had belonged to. I had felt drawn to them, and whoever they belonged to had felt very familiar. I eventually let myself drift off to sleep, with paranoia and curiosity filling my body.