A Blessing and a Curse

Chapter 36

   Run.

   Do not look back.

   Kanan is fine.

   He'll be okay.

   Those were my thoughts as Sabine, Cornelius, Tua, and I ran through the dead trees. Through the depths of the darkness once again splitting paths with Kanan. I can't believe I left him again. This forest is truly the hot spot for evil. It deceives, clouds all your thoughts and replaces it with fear. It makes you go crazy and insane.

But the ones that haven't gone mad...are the ones who don't survive. I truly believe that the longer I stay in here, the more I feel myself being pulled into depression and madness. Like I'm lost and have no way to return back.

"Ezra!" I tripped over something and immediately snapped out of my thoughts. I stood, heavily breathing for air to enter my lungs as my shaky legs tried to keep me up. My eyes didn't want to look up from the ground yet. I felt so much weight being put down on my shoulders like I was going to fall again.

My stomach churned so I had to lean against the closest tree. I felt my myself burn up and hands tremble vigorously. I felt sick.

"You don't...look so good...Subject Pipsqueak," Cornelius said, still trying to catch his breathe. I didn't say anything and kept staring out into the trees. Something was watching us. Waiting. Learning.

That might be the start of my insanity fiasco or we truly were being followed by something. It felt like it almost was...connected to everything in the forest. Everything evil and vile. Including me. It brushed against my mind everyday since the 'big change.'

The bad voice.

It was here. Physically and mentally knowing my every move and step. It knows I'm here. And it sure is to keep a close watchful eye on me.

I know it wants me for purposes that are still yet to be solved but, I have a hunch that it isn't a good thing.

   "Where are we even going?" I asked, finally finding my voice. Cornelius and Tua both looked at me.

   "To see an old friend of mine," Cornelius said, joyfully.

   "Is he as loony as you?" Sabine asked, crossing her arms.

   "Subject Hothead, it's not a he but a she and it's not nice to call people names," Cornelius corrected. Sabine huffed and rolled her eyes.

"But no, she is very wise and can help us get out of this pickle we seem to be stuck in."

   We quietly began to walk through the trees and kept an eye out for anything out of the ordinary. I'm surprised we were able to escape without being followed. But why?

Why is it so quiet? I thought there would be more Infected or something chasing us. Where did the massive groups of Infected that were at the...bomb fire go? Where are the cannibals, murders, and crazy people groups?

Something was up and I wasn't liking the fact that it was quiet. Or maybe the forest was messing with our minds? A trap? Ambush?

"Come...closer."

I held my breath and gulped down my fear when hearing the voice. The cold voice. The evil in my head. It wants me but I resisted its temptation to grab and hold onto me.

"Go away," I muttered under my breath angrily.

"Ezra, are you okay?" Sabine asked, worried. I didn't answer her and kept my head low.

"Come...to...me. Let me control you!" It yelled the last part. I held the side of my head in pain and bit down on my tongue so no sound came out.