Of That They Fear

~Chapter Nine~ nightmares

I didn't sleep that night. I just layed there flipping through the pages of my book and listened to the sounds of the woods, every now and then I'd hear something that'd make me jump and I'd grip my book tighter. When the light of dawn broke through the fabric of the tent I sat up and sighed, looking over at Zane and layed my book on my pillow, unzipping the tent. I walked out and smelled the fresh air and looked around, I saw the sun peeking through the leaves of the trees and I relaxed a bit. Observing what surrounded me, I searched for the trail from which we came to the camp site but couldn't find it. In a panicked confusion I started to walk to the edge of the cleared site, looking for the path from which we once came.
I ripped through the bushes and tree branches, my pace quickening with every step. I stopped, being completely lost in the dimly lit, thick woods. I look around trying to retrace my steps, I started to run in the direction I came from.As I ran through the woods, stray twigs and leaves crunched under my feet, I start to cough as I chase the site. I take in a sharp breath, it chokes me, making me stop and hunch over in a harsh coughing fit. I take a shakey breath as my eyes meet with a black fog cover the ground beneath my feet. Confused I run my hand through it, it sent a cold shiver up my spine. I straightened up as I shivered, I followed the trail of smoke to a large cloud of smoke. It had the figure of a person. As I examined it, it would copy my actions. I'd tilt my head, and it would do the same, I stared down at the ground and it would just stare at me. When I looked back up at it, it started to form a familiar shape. Confused and concerned I staggered backwards, "S-Simon. No. No, it can't be you. You're not real!" I turned around and ran as the fog swiftly trailed behind me.
I look behind me to see it hault. I turn around to come face to face with a tree branch, I couldn't stop myself and rammed into it. Seconds later I wake in my sleeping bag, my book draped over my chest with Zane sleeping calmly beside me.