Lost in the woods

Chapter 1

Dylan's POV:

I was drowning. Thick, viscous water poured in from every direction, filling my mouth, nose, and lungs. I could feel the weight of it pressing against my chest, choking me. My eyes were shut tight, panic overwhelming every sense. My throat burned, and my head pounded as if it was being squeezed in a vice. The terror of not being able to breathe, of being submerged in an unending abyss, consumed me.

Suddenly, a sharp touch jolted me awake. I gasped, my lungs desperately sucking in air. My hands flew to my throat, my body instinctively trying to grasp the real world after that suffocating nightmare. My vision cleared, and I saw a blur of movement before a sharp blow struck the left side of my face. Pain exploded in my head, and I crashed hard to the ground. I struggled to regain focus, my senses reeling from the impact.

I scrambled backward, my heart pounding like a drum. Through the haze, I saw a man looming over me. His light brown eyes were alight with fury, a dangerous intensity that made my blood run cold. I tried to push myself up, but my legs felt like lead. I stumbled, nearly tripping over the debris scattered on the ground.

"Please, stop," I begged, my voice trembling with desperation.

The man's anger only seemed to escalate. He lunged at me with a primal roar, and I stumbled over a root, falling hard once again. He seized my hair, yanking my head back with a vicious grip.

"Ahhh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice a choked plea.

He dragged me by my hair, each tug sending sharp jolts of pain through my scalp. I clawed at the ground, my fingers digging frantically into the dirt, trying to find something to anchor myself. My boots carved shallow impressions in the earth as I struggled. Desperation surged through me, and I twisted, grabbing his leg and sinking my teeth into it with all my might.

He yelped in pain and released me, stumbling back with an angry shout. "OW, you bitch!"

I sprang to my feet, adrenaline surging through my veins. My legs propelled me forward as fast as they could, my heart pounding with the fear of being caught. I could hear his furious shouts echoing behind me, but I dared not look back.

"COME BACK HERE!" His voice roared through the trees.

Despite my frantic pace, I could feel the distance between us shrinking. My breath came in ragged gasps, each step feeling like a battle against an invisible force pulling me back. I veered around a bush, ducking underneath it and pressing myself against the ground, trying to become as small and invisible as possible.

I held my breath, listening intently. The man's heavy breathing was a harsh contrast to the rustling leaves around me. His footsteps grew closer, each crunch of leaves and snap of twigs sending a shiver down my spine. I could feel his presence just outside the bush, his angry gaze probing the area.

"I know you're here," he called out, his voice laced with frustration as he peered into the bush.

My heart pounded in my chest, and I stayed as flat and motionless as I could. The anticipation was almost worse than the actual confrontation. His footsteps were so near I could almost feel the heat from his body. Just as he seemed about to discover me, I looked up, and our eyes met.

"Uh... hi," I managed to croak, my voice barely a whisper.

He squatted down, his expression unreadable. For a moment, everything seemed suspended in time, the world narrowing to just the two of us in that small, tense space.

"Get out," he commanded, his tone brooking no argument.

"No, thank you," I whispered, my voice shaking.

I continued to back away, the sticks and branches scraping and pricking my skin as I moved. Every sound, every shift in the underbrush, felt magnified, as if the forest itself was holding its breath.

Without warning, a horrifying sound ripped through the air, a ghastly, otherworldly noise that seemed to reverberate through my bones. The man's face went ashen, his eyes widening in terror. He glanced quickly to his left and then, without another word, sprinted away in the opposite direction. I stood frozen, watching him disappear into the distance.

A massive shadowy creature emerged from the darkness, its form a grotesque blend of sludge and shadow. It glided past with an eerie, fluid grace. The stench was overpowering, a nauseating mix of decay and rot that made it difficult to breathe. I could barely manage to keep my composure as it moved slowly, deliberately.

Once the creature had passed, I waited for what felt like an eternity before cautiously emerging from the bush. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart, and then made my way in the opposite direction of both the monster and the fleeing man.

The forest seemed even denser now, each shadow stretching ominously as if trying to conceal its secrets. My fear was palpable, gripping me tightly as I navigated through the thick underbrush. My throat was dry and my steps felt heavier with every passing minute. I finally stumbled upon a stream, the sound of running water a soothing balm to my frayed nerves.

I crouched beside the stream, cupping my hands to drink the cool, refreshing water. It was a small comfort, a brief reprieve from the terror that had consumed me. I allowed myself a moment of relief, savoring the simple pleasure of quenching my thirst.

As I continued my journey, the dense forest eventually gave way to a clearing. In the center stood a solitary tree, its gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. My eyes were drawn to a belt hanging from one of the branches, with small bags dangling from it. A flicker of hope sparked within me—perhaps these bags contained something useful.

I approached the tree and began to climb, my hands gripping the rough bark with cautious determination. Each branch creaked under my weight, but I pressed on. When I reached the branch with the belt, I carefully untangled it and examined the bags. Inside, I found dried fruit, a small but welcome source of nourishment. My hands trembled slightly as I reached for some, but before I could pocket any, a sudden crack echoed through the air.

The branch beneath me gave way without warning. My heart leapt into my throat as I plummeted downward, the world spinning in a chaotic blur of green and brown. I hit the ground hard, the impact jolting through my entire body. Everything went black.