The Little Demon In Red

Chapter 1

Floating in darkness, I felt numbness. Nothing. It was like all my senses had been disconnected from my brain. 

I don't know how long I remained in that comforting, yet unyielding darkness. I didn't know what would lie further into it. 

I felt fear shoot through me as I felt a breath on my neck. I still couldn't move, or even see, but I could feel that unsettling breath breathing down my neck, "Young child, its time to awaken. You have rested for a very long while." A voice whispered into my ear.

Who spoke to me? Who was I? I couldn't remember. The darkness had sucked away my memories of my life.... if I even had one before. For all I know, I could have been created by the darkness.

I heard the voice whisper again, but it was incomprehensible. It jarred me and feeling started to creep back slowly, but surely, up my fingers and toes. It felt like pins and needles, when ur foot or your hand falls asleep, except over my entire body. It was almost unbearable.

The pins and needles faded along with the darkness. I could see the red of my eyelids. I struggled to open my eyes for a minute. I peeled them back as if I hadn't opened them in a long time and they were glued shut. I discovered that I was laying on my side, lying in a giant field of grass and the occasional wonderous flower.

I sat up, ignoring a dizzy spell as I took in the scenery around me. I was in the middle of an unfamiliar clearing. Tall, thick trees surrounded me, acting as protectors from any unknown thing that might want to hurt me.

A beautiful waterfall roared just to my left, drawing my attention to the deep blue of the water and the bright, healthy green of the plants surrounding it. I tried to stand up, but my legs got to shaky and they buckled. I hung my head in exasperation. There was a tear right above my heart, a deep set scar, about 2 inches long, was set right under the tear. I looked down at my legs, which were clad in tights, had tears, and also nasty scars. I noticed other scars farther up. Were they self inflicted? Why didn't I remember anything?

I folded my arms against my chest and noticed the nasty scars there, too. What had happened to me? Was this Amnesia, or was this a new beginning for me? I didn't know.

I shoved myself to my feet, almost falling over, but it felt like something caught me and steadied me in just a matter of seconds.

I walked unsteadily to the water and froze when I saw my reflection.

I had the brightest red hair that fell to my waist in waves and bright blue eyes the same color as the water I was looking into. My eyes were framed with thick lashes and it looks like I was only around 5  feet tall. I wonder how old I was? Maybe 15 or 16? It was hard to tell.

I heard a twig snap behind me and whirled automatically. What scared me was the fact that when I turned around, my feet had literally propelled me across the clearing to the source of the noise. I hadn't even touched the ground. It was like I had........

glided? 

Amazement filled me, but I was soon jerked from it when I heard another snap. My head turned right to the source of the noise.

Someone was just standing beyond the trees, but I couldn't make out their features. It was getting darker out, "Hello?" I called out, my voice slightly hoarse, "Who's there?" I added.

I heard him take a breath and step back... wait, when did everything become so loud to me? Was my hearing heightened?

I shook my head from my thoughts and took a step forward towards the trees and away from the place that would probably keep me safe. I could see the man somewhat clearly now. His face was still hidden in the shadows, but his green eyes were glowing, so I could definitely see those. He was about 6 foot 5, shaggy brown hair, I think.

"Who are you?" I asked quietly, stepping forward again. He stepped back.

I heard him sigh in disappointment, "You really don't remember..." He said softly, thinking I wouldn't hear it, sadness ringing in my ears from his voice.

"Remember what?" I asked on impulse.

He didn't reply. He moved forward and looked down at me, straight into my eyes. I looked straight back, my gaze unwavering. I didn't know why I wasn't scared of him. I feel like I had been through much worse in my previous life, "Will you come with me?" He asked. I didn't know why I trusted this stranger, but I nodded anyway and he turned and started walking.

I ran after him, struggling to keep up because of his long stride. He realized how fast he was going and gave me an apologetic look, walking next to me.

Twigs cracked under our feet as we walked, filling the uncomfortable silence. This man felt so familiar to me, but I had no idea who he was... or even who I was. I didn't even know my own name, "What do you remember?" He asked, making me jump in the silence.

"Nothing." I replied, hanging my head. My hair fell around my face.

I saw his eyebrows scrunch together, "Not even your name?" 

I shook my head, "No."

I felt him hesitantly reach forward and rest his hand on my shoulder, making me stop walking.

"I can't tell you everything, but I know your name." He said.

My head snapped up, blue meeting green, "What is it?"

"Harrlow Sheer." He replied. The name felt right. I felt like a tiny hole had been filled when I learned my real name.

"And what's your name?" I asked in my quiet voice. 

His green eyes blazed. It seemed like he didn't trust giving out his name very often, but I saw some resignation as he decided he could trust me.

"My name is Nixon. Nixon Rowe."

I knew him. I just didn't know how I knew him.

I was going to do everything I could to find out.