The Dead Forest

Wake Up and See

I opened my eyes and found myself in a strange place. There were dead leaves scattered all around, that fell from the lifeless trees. There was no noise apart from my own breathing. I was dreadfully alone. Not just alone, but alone with no recollection of WHY I am alone. Nor why I am in this lifeless forest. The forest was strangely scenic. Am I the type of person that likes dead things?

I guess the only thing to do is find out who I am. Which I can only do if I learn of where I am.

I stood up, wobbling slightly. I looked around for some way to find out where I am.

To the left of me, I saw a trail. I trudged my way through the thick pile of dead leaves, so I could get to the trail. When I reached the trail, I looked down and noticed I was barefoot. I had dirty feet and this bothered me. Why does this bother me? Am I a clean person? Is that who I am?

I shook my head at my thoughts. I didn't have time for useless wonderings. I'm going to learn of who I am soon enough. Just as soon as I find out what this place is. I walked on the trail, being careful not to step on rocks or twigs.

After I had been on the trail for some time, I noticed an opening in the trail. There was a gate in front of me. It had moss and vines littered upon it. I tilted my head. If this forest is dead, then why is there life on this gate? I walked towards the gate and reached out my hand to touch it. When I touched it, I felt a tingle in my fingers. I looked at my hand curiously. How strange.

I suddenly go the urge to open the gate. It wasn't a weak urge, I felt that if I did not do it now then something bad would happen. I heard a twig snap behind me and I spun around. Standing there was a tall person. He had a hooded cloak on that nearly dragged on the ground. His good was up and he seemed dark and mysterious. Without realizing it, my mouth started to speak.

"Who are you?" I felt somewhat angry. Who was this person? To just walk up behind me and not speak. He blinked at me, with an almost confused look etched onto his face.

"I...I'm not sure actually...I just woke up and found this trail..." My eyes widened. What? That's...what happened to me!

"That just happened to me as well." I tilted my head. "What do you think is going on?"

He stared at me in shock. "It happened to both of us?! This is so strange! I have no idea what to do..." His voice trailed off as he looked at the gate and took it in. "Wait...How is there...?"

"Life on it and yet death all around? I'm not sure. But I need to find out. I have a feeling if we find out why, we can find out who we are." I glanced around and then turned back to him. "Do you remember your name? I sure don't."

He smiled sadly at me. "I have no idea. Maybe we can make up names to call each other..." He frowned, deep in thought. I didn't think much on it. What is the point of making a new name if I can just learn my actual name?

His face brightened. "I will be called Sarik and you can be named... Amyna. That is, if you want to..." He looked at me hopefully. Well Amyna does have a nice ring to it...

"Very well. But only until I learn my real name." He nodded.

"So...what do we do now...?" He asked, drumming his fingers on his cloak.

I turned and faced the gate.

"We open this gate. There has to be a way in." I know I said this, but things seemed hopeless. This gate stretched on for miles. It could take a long time to find the door.

Sarik came up beside me and looked at the gate closely. "What if the door blends in with the gate to keep it hidden? Maybe instead of looking for an obvious door, maybe we should look for a keyhole." I looked up at him.

"Good idea. Should we split up?" I looked around him and then back the other way.

"Yeah. It would cover more ground."

"It's decided then." I headed down the gate, looking for any sign of a keyhole. I heard his footsteps behind me, fading slowly.

I went along the gate for a while, without finding a keyhole. I was just about to stop and rest, when my stomach growled. That wasn't a good sign. The forest is lifeless. Where would I find food? I decided to keep searching. If I hurried then I could get inside and eat. Once I called Sarik over.

Some more time past and I was still not seeing a keyhole. I was feeling very weak and hungry. I felt like crying. How would I get out of this? What if the door was in the other direction? Or miles away? I felt my eyes water, and my vision got blurry. This can't happen! I don't even know who I am! I can't starve and die without even knowing my real name! Through my very blurry vision, I saw something on the ground.

What was it? I wiped my eyes and looked back down at it.

It was a journal.