False Clarity

A Walk in the Woods of Three

Colette

"So and then he asked if I was free someday in the week. Then I said, 'Sorry, but I have a meeting with the president, and that I might even be skipping class.' Then he said, 'Which day?' And I said, 'Everyday, you douche bag! I think he likes me!' Then I ran off, but he called after me saying 'How about next week?' And I replied 'I'm going to space for a month!' And he said 'I'll lend you my notes when you come back!' And that's how his love life ended," I laughed into the phone, and I can hear hysterical giggling coming from the other side.

"Does he have a beard?" Fayre suddenly asked.

"I think I saw a wisp of something there," I answered.

"All the men fall for you! So lucky! I wish I had a man fall for me," Fayre sighed.

"Trust me. They're nothing but a crowd of hoodlums."

"Whatever you say, deary. Anyway, I've got to run. Bedtime."

"Bedtime?" I asked incredulously into the phone. "Whatever, there's no point in questioning someone who sleeps at nine every day."

"Goodnight, Collie!"

"You make me sound like a dog!"

I reached over and plopped the phone down to charge and turn off the nightlight.

It grew eerily quiet as I slipped under the blanket and close my eyes.

The trees hang over my fragile body as I walk barefoot across the grass. The forest isn't welcoming, and it scratches my soft skin at every step I take. Dim light from the moon is the only guidance as my feet propel themselves forward without my direct command. The cool breeze tickles my body and ruffles my nightgown.

I stop.

A faint silhouette stands erect and bold against the faint outline of groggy trees bowing down to the ground. Another silvery shadow salutes itself in the figure's hand, something in the shape of a weapon. A switchblade contracted.

I slowly walk closer and see who the man is - Sebastian. He senses something and so do I.

Something dangerous.

I have to warn him. I must warn him. I open my mouth to call to him, but nothing comes out. He's going to die. I have to save him... I might be the only one who can.

"Sebastian, run!" I screamed, waking up. Did I fall asleep? I sprinted out of the house and into the woods nearby. It was still dark and the forest was exactly like in my dream. There were scratches and bruises all across my face, arms and legs, but I paid no heed to them.

There I saw him, a strange silver blade steadily held within his hand. I opened my mouth, but I was too late. A figure came out of the tall branches of the tree like a sleek black panther, and Sebastian pounced on him. Something fell to the ground - a limb, perhaps. There was a howl, and another shape dropped to the ground. Sebastian was still there, still standing, clutching a bloodied hand and otherwise empty-handed. The tip of a blade could be seen from out his back, dark and oozing scarlet.

There I froze. Completely froze. No voice came out of my mouth and none of my muscles dared to move an inch.

Sebastian didn't drop to the ground; the blade was jammed too deep. The figure pulled the switch out Sebastian fell, silently, to the ground. He stepped on Sebastian, who went still. Turning to look at me, his eyes nearly made me scream, along with the left side of his body.

He had no arm.

And he had no eyes.

Yet when I tried to turn and run, I couldn't. Slowly, I pivoted on the spot and zombie-walked back the way I came. Upon arriving at my house, I locked the doors and made sure nothing was left open. Not even the attic window I liked to keep ajar for the airiness. I ran into my room and slammed the door, twisting the little lock on my doorknob. Jumping into bed and crawling under the blankets once again, I took a deep breath and let it out.