Lost in the woods

Chapter 2

My eyes fluttered open to a haze of smoky darkness. My head throbbed with a dull ache, and the world around me seemed disjointed, like I was seeing through a foggy lens. As I tried to make sense of my surroundings, I realized I was lying on the cold, hard ground. The rough texture of the forest floor bit into my back, making me wince. I could feel the chill of the early morning air seeping through my clothes, heightening my discomfort.

I blinked, trying to focus on the dim light of a small fire crackling a few feet away. I attempted to move, but panic surged through me as I discovered my limbs were tightly bound with coarse ropes. The ropes dug painfully into my skin, and each struggle to free myself only seemed to tighten them more. Every movement was a jarring reminder of my helplessness. The ropes felt like a merciless grip, constricting me with every attempt to escape.

Across the fire, silhouetted against the flickering flames, was the man I had seen before. The firelight danced over his stern features, casting deep shadows that accentuated his scowl.

His eyes were cold and unyielding, locked onto me with an intense, accusatory glare. His posture was rigid and barely restrained, his hand resting casually on a knife sheathed at his belt. The way he held himself, the sheer presence of him, was a silent threat that spoke volumes.

The fire crackled and popped, sending occasional sparks into the air. The heat from the flames was a sharp contrast to the chill of the morning air, but it did little to ease my discomfort. The acrid smell of smoke mixed with the earthy scent of the forest, making it difficult to breathe deeply. I tried to clear my mind of the haze, focusing on the man's shadowed figure across the fire. His silence was deafening, and the weight of his stare was almost palpable.

"Why did you bring me here?" he demanded, his voice a gravelly growl that cut through the crackling fire. He leaned forward, his eyes narrowed and intense.

"Why did you drag me into this?"

My throat felt dry and tight, and my voice came out in a shaky whisper. It was hard to articulate with the fear that was tightening my chest.

"I—I don't know what you're talking about. I—I don't even know how I got here. I just woke up and then y—you punched me."

His eyes flashed with irritation.

"You don't remember anything?" he snapped, his voice dripping with disbelief. "Nothing at all?"

I tried to piece together any recollections, but everything remained stubbornly out of reach. My mind was a blank slate, except for the fragmented memories of waking up bound and disoriented.

"N-No," I stammered, my frustration evident in my trembling voice. "I—I don't remember anything. I'm sorry. I know my name."

The man's expression didn't soften, and the suspicion in his eyes remained. The tension between us was thick, and I could feel my anxiety mounting. I had no idea what was going on or why I was being held like this. The forest around us seemed to close in, the darkness beyond the firelight a vast, unwelcoming expanse. The growing realization of my predicament made every second feel like an eternity.

My situation was dire. I had no memory of how I ended up in the forest, adding to my disorientation and vulnerability. For two days, I had been bound with these coarse, abrasive ropes that cut into my skin, making every movement a painful struggle. The only company I had was the man, who hadn't spoken to me since that first confrontation. His silence was a constant reminder of my precarious position.

Determined to escape, I spent every waking moment working on my bindings. The ropes had started to fray under my persistent efforts. With great effort and a measure of ingenuity, I managed to wriggle free. My hands, though raw and sore, were now free to unbind the rest of me. It was an excruciatingly slow process, but I was driven by the desperate need to get out of this situation.