Into The Woods

Untitled Part 1

It was a gloomy day, but didn't seemed to bother me. I prefer any cloudy day rather than fair weather. I traveled far into the medos in high hopes to find deer antlers to sell online for a high price, but so far hadn't found any.

I listen as the wind rustles through the trees and the rhythmic tunes of the birds above as I continue venturing further on this imagined trail. The smells of fresh air also helps with my expedition.

The sounds and the inviting atmosphere suddenly became distant and quiet as if time had slowed to a stop. I'm now accompanied by silence and the soft smush of every step I take. Did the clouds pass, is there a fire somewhere? I don't smell any burning leaves or see any smoke. I must be far enough into the woods that the trees are absorbing the wind or something.

I then stop to reach in my backpack for a small refreshment, but something pulled my attention away and look behind from the direction I've traveled. There was nothing there, but trees and grass.

I zipped up my backpack and continue forth. What was it that caught my attention to look behind? What could be so entrusting that I may have missed? I shrugged it off, but back of my mind lurks a feeling that someone may be following me.

That feeling I had is growing rapidly. What could the person want if I am being followed? What will he or she say if they get close enough?

Something tells me that something's wrong. I feel as if heading to the wrong direction. I paused and got out the compass. It showed I was heading north, then the south, then north again. "What the..." I whispered to myself.

A snap of a twig brings my attention, as if a gun had gone off nearby. I shoot a look back to the direction I had walked from once more. "Hello?" I try to call out. I waited for a response, but nothing came back but the absence of the blowing wind.

It then occurred to me. Something is very wrong here.

I looked around for anything I could use to defend myself, but all I saw were twigs and....fog? Fog, not the commonly seen thing to see in this deep into the woods. I watch as it gradually blanketing the oddly shaped trees. The smells of wet moisture mixed with dry mud purifies the air. Where did it came from? What strange phenomenon could have caused this?

Too afraid to head back, I punched forward. "I already choose to do this and there's nothing in stopping me now." I said as if it would calm me down a little.

Continuing on what I think is north, an image begins to form in the back of my mind. It's the same image I saw after handed in the resume. Does it mean something? Was it a strange occurrence that I imagined it?

I must've traveled at least a mile or two. My legs are starting to ache and cold droplets are showing below my armpits. I grabbed the compass again and its still can't decide what is north and what is south. "Stupid thing" I said to myself after I shoved it back into the backpack.

Without sound, without wind, I watch as the fog engulfed me in pure whiteness. At first nothing, then it hit me with all of it's might. I had to stop and concentrate on thinking before moving on, but I couldn't stop thinking on how fast that fog moved in.

I didn't bother wondering what could of done that, now I just want out..., but how much would I get if I do find one. It might actually be worth trying. Then yet again, I don't know where I'm going or heading to. I got turned around, confused, and almost scared of what may lie ahead if go the wrong way.

The fog is almost too thick to see through, leading me turning round and round again hoping for any lead in the right direction. "It's this way. Wait, no. This way, this way! Hold on, that doesn't feel right either." I say in panic and confusion.

All thought and mind stopped when I gazed at an un-earthly shadow that was standing quite a distant from me, staring back at me. The legs were covered by a shadowed coat, its head was a skull of a deer, and its antlers were black as its empty eye sockets, just like the vision I saw before.

Fear overwhelmed my body to action. It made me turn around and dive behind a nearby tree. Did it see me? Did I jump in time?

Questions and terror flooded my thinking. I couldn't get myself to stop shivering so I could plan an escape or hear if it lost interest.

My heart is beating off my chest and my hands got sweaty. I closed my eyes, held my breath, and poked my head around the tree to see if it's still there. I look to the left, to the right, and back to the left again. It's gone?

I leaned back into normal position, and there it was. Standing right in front of me. I felt the colors of my face drained to my toes and the heart drop down to the stomach. It stretched its long black witched hand and lightly pressed it up against my chin as it lean into my face to its face.

I find myself staring at it's emptiness as it stares back at me, as if a hunter examining its prey. I could feel the ridges of its skull if I were to lay my hand it and can smell of what seems to withering moisture. It then pulled its ghostly fingers off of my chin, puts it in my mouth and pulled downward. Toke the other hand, placed it above the other and pulled upward, holding my mouth wide open. I then felt thick waters and smoke rush down my throat as its skull gradually diminish into me. I wanted to scream, cry out, but I was being suffocated. It prevents me from breathing. I start to see vivid images of pain, rage, sorrow and suffering before dipping into darkness.

Dark...musty...so musty. Cut off from the outside world, trapped in a room that feels welcoming, inviting as if this is where I was supposed to be. My eyes fluttered open to see that I'm laying on some kind of bed. I sat up and looked around. From what I see, comforts me. There are no doors, no window, and no toys in sight.

"Home at least," I said to myself.