The Forest

The Log Cabin

The light once again slowly faded back into existence. I was once again in the forest, still holding the switch blade exactly where I had been before whatever just happened, happened.

I look at the blade again and think. Then all at once I remember small chunks of memories.

James Grey is my boyfriend. He's the same age as me. That knife he gave me was originally a gift to him from his dad whom he was very close to, who had passed away less than a year ago at that point.

I remember my friendship with James before we started dating but couldn't remember anything after the memory I had just witnessed.

As the memories flood back into my mind I continue messing with the knife in my hand. I line the engraving up with the moons light once again, in hopes of going back to that place and seeing James' face again, suddenly missing him as my memories of how close we were entered my mind.

However my attempts are all in vain, and I'm unable to go back. I sigh and simply look at the engraving.

"To protect you"

I look at the trees surrounding me. Where is this? What's happening? Why is it happening? My head was spinning with questions, and I began to feel nauseous and dizzy.

Was I being punished? Did I do something wrong? Why don't I remember anything else other than that short time with James?

I lean against a tree, hunched over feeling sick. I try to focus on my breathing but the questions overwhelm me. My breathing is heavy, and I feel like someone is punching me in the gut.

Before I can even process it, I puke onto the ground infront of me. The questions slowly faded as I got more and more dizzy. I was about to pass out again.

I quickly worked to gain my bearings and relax. I hushed the thoughts in my head and tried to focus on getting out of this damn forest.

I slowly close the blade and look at the woods around me. Questions continue to fill my mind but no answers. I do my best to simply ignore them.

The only thing I can think to do is start walking. I start walking who knows where towards who knows what, but it was my only option. My heart raced as I suddenly became aware of every noise around me.

Branches snap, leafs russle, with every noise I begin walking faster. I tightly grip the knife as I spin my head around back and forth towards whatever noise I heard.

My mind continues to ask questions, however most get cut off by the noises. Are there wild animals around here? I don't even want to think about what I would do if some savage wolf or leopard came at me.

I glance around as I walk, studying the trees that all look the same to me. It didn't feel like I was making any progress. Was I walking in circles? How big are these woods? I look down at the leafs at my feet doing my best to avoid twigs and piles of leafs that will be more noisy. I wrap my arms around my stomach, quickly realizing how hungry I was now after throwing up the little bit of food I seemed to have in my system.

After a while I decide to take a break. I sit on the ground at the base of a large tree, and close my eyes. I bring my knees to my chest, wrap my arms around my legs and bury my face into my knees. I take a moment to try once again to wrap my head around what was happening. However the longer I sit there the more confused I become. Could it be that I'm just going crazy?

I lift my head up and bring the back of my head to the bark of the tree, looking up just slightly. I let out a quiet sigh as I look past the trees and towards the moon and stars. Maybe my answer lies up in the sky.

I had only been in this damn forest for about an hour and I already felt like I was losing hope. I wasn't getting anywhere and I didn't even know where I was supposed to go...

I look around once again at the trees and spot something between the gaps. It's faint but I definitely see it. A light off in the distance. A bit of hope returns to me as I stand and begin running towards the origin of the light.

As I get closer I see the light is coming from a log cabin. I slow as I approach it, suddenly reluctant as doubts fill my head. What's a log cabin doing so deep in the woods? How would anyone even get here? For just a moment I consider turning around and walking the other way, however if there's a chance that these people can help me I would take that risk.

I slowly approach the steps onto the porch and move causiously towards the door. I slowly lift my hand and hesitantly knock on the door. It takes a moment but the door opens slowly on its own.

With my heart racing, I gently push the door open a little more.

"Hello..?" I call into the seemingly empty house. "Is anyone home?" I slowly take a step into the log cabin and look around to see if I can spot anyone. "I'm sorry to bother you. I-I'm just lost. Can you help me get out of these woods?" I call, only hearing my slight echo in return.

Upon closer inspection, the inside of the house looks old and like it has been untouched for years. There's dust on almost every surface and even spider webs in some places. Yet, the lights are on and the floors are completely clean. I take another slow step into the first main hallways.

"Hello?" I call out again. "I'm coming in. Is anyone here?" Against my better judgement, I take a few more steps into the house. I leave the door open incase I need to leave in a rush. 

I continue into the main hallway. The floor boards creeked under my feet, making this whole situation feel like I'm in some kind of horror movie.

I'm unable to keep the questions out of my mind for long. Everything I've seen thus far just brings more and more questions, and yet not a single answer. What is this place? Why are the lights on? Does someone live here?

I slowly and causiously advance into the house and look around. On the left wall of the main hallway, there's a stairway to the second floor. But at the foot of the stairs is a door leading to what seems to be a living room. I little past the stairs and to the right, was a kitchen. Everything was dusty, but all the appliances seemed almost new.

I enter the kitchen to look around and see if I can find out more about this place. Then I walk through the door, I notice another door to my left that seems to lead to a dining room. I can only see a small corner of the table, but decide to continue examining the kitchen before looking around in there. I take a moment to look around the kitchen, but being too paranoid to touch anything I just look around on the counters. Other than a few old and dusty spoons and forks, the counters were empty. I slowly back my way wanting to get a good far away look at the whole creepy room and make my way through the open doorway from the kitchen to the dinning room.

Once past the door, I turn to begin examining the dinning room, however I'm greeted by the back of a head. A girl sitting at the table, with an empty plate infront of her.

"I'm so sorry ma'am! I didn't think anyone was home and I'm very lost... I don't remember anything before waking up in these woods. Can you help me get home?" I say quickly moving slightly to her side so she could see me out of the corner of her eye and isn't too startled.

However, she didn't seem startled at all. Infact she was calm, and didn't move at all. For a moment I thought she might be dead, but I dismiss the thought quickly when she turns her head ever so slightly to look at me.

"Hello..?" I say slowly, seeing as she didn't have any intention of responding to me.

"You don't know what's happening do you?" She asks calmly as she turns her attention back to her empty plate.

I stutter for a moment. "W-what?"

She stood up slowly. "You don't know why you are here... do you?"

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