Present Drifter

Prologue

Tall oak trees grow out of the darkness of my dream filled sleep. Dirt, dried-up leaves, and sticks begin to cover the ground my feet trample over, crushing anything that wasn't already in pieces. Some moonlight begins to peek through the openings in between the trees, making the wooded area a little bit brighter. The small chatter of crickets and the distant sound of flowing water made its way to my ears reminded me that, I am somehow, not alone.

My hands are wrapped around the sides of a bejeweled crimson ball gown, holding it off the ground so I can run faster. The bottom is torn and covered in dirt as if I had recently been sitting down somewhere in these woods. I'm not wearing any shoes and for some reason also don't have any socks on, so I am completely barefoot. Small pebbles and twigs dig into the soles of my feet, causing me a great deal of pain in every step. Whatever is behind me must be terrifying, but I can't look back. Something unknown keeps me from turning my head. The sound of snapping sticks and loud thuds start to become apparent behind me, as I run.

Beads of sweat start to fall down my face and I can taste the salt on my lips. My breathing starts to quicken. I begin to slow down as the trees became closer and closer together. I have to start running around the trees instead of through them, and that makes me slower.

A low branch gets caught on my dress and causes it to rip, sending a loud tearing noise in the direction of whoever is chasing me. Their footsteps start to become increasingly louder as I stand there. Quickly, I turn around and move my grip to the bottom of my dress where it's snagged on the branch. I pull on the gown causing it to tear more until the branch is free from the fabric.

I turn and try to continue on, but my feet get tangled up in my dress and I begin to topple forward. My hands hit the ground first and small twigs dig into my palms causing them to sting. The footsteps behind me start to slow down as they come to a stop just in front of me. My head falls towards the ground in defeat as my vision becomes blurry with tears.

"Finally," booms an aggressive female voice. I suck in a deep breath and blink away the tears so I don't look weak.

"Now, tell me willow, where is the book?" She asks in a tone that sounds more like a demand.

"Gone," I state.

"Liar!" The women yells. She then takes a step closer to me and slaps her palm across my face. My head jerks towards the side and the sting of skin on skin is left on my cheek. I place my hand gently over the pain as I smile up her.

"You will never get your hands on that book," I taunt. "It's gone." Her eyes meet mine through the darkness and she stands up a bit straighter as if her height will make her more dominant.

"Then you shall bring it back," she commands.

"And why would I do that," I question. My voice has become raspy from exhaustion.

"Because, If you don't I will ruin each and every one of your pathetic lives." The women answers with a smirk. Then she pulls out a small dagger, with words carved across the hilt, and lunges it towards my chest.