A Tale of Traitors

Willow

           Panic surged through me like nothing I had ever experienced. I tore through the jungle like a madman, branches slicing my exposed flesh. I couldn't recall why I was out here, and I couldn't remember why I had chosen to leave home in shorts and a tank-top--on a night like this, nonetheless. I wouldn't have been so foolish as to leave the others, right? Whatever happens, just don't forget, I reminded myself. The footsteps were so much louder than before, sloshing in the mud behind me and echoing in my mind, making the blood in my veins pump ever faster. It was right on my heels, its breath practically on my neck.  The darkness was too great for me; it was choking me, closing in on all sides. I couldn't see anything. Thorns, sticks, and stones jabbed into my feet. I was barefoot, too? I must be crazy. My thoughts bounced wildly around in my brain. I stopped for nothing and no one. The rain was ice-cold now as it pounded against my skin, numbing and bruising me. It was one of those nights that only comes once a year or so, the kind that forces people into their homes in wise fear. I had left home because...

Don't forget.

         My foot snagged on the root of a tree and I gasped as I was thrown down the side of a trench. Slide. Thunk! A rock smacked my hip. My head was suddenly going down first, and I agonizingly tried to roll down sideways.I splashed into a freezing cold river, unable to run any further. I had run so long. I had run too far. No one would hear me scream, but that was usual, I supposed. I needed to hide. I needed a savior. I have run so long... Don't forget...

Don't forget.

SNAP!

          My head flung upward. Dawn. Sunday morning. The flare of the sun above the trees was stunning, but my mind was too foggy to focus on the light. I had passed out sometime after pulling myself onto the muddy riverbank. I groaned and finally sat up, my back resting against one of the many trees. Someone was close by--I could tell from the snap of the twig and the soft flowing of grasses to my right. I pushed a clump of tangled hair from my face; I was shocked by how long and obnoxious my hair was. Questions swam through my mind, but the answers had long since drowned. I could still remember one thing, sort of. Grass crunched under the cautious footstep of the hunter, bringing me back to reality. I regained control of my breathing and slid soundlessly around the tree. It was getting nearer to me. It made the blood shoot through my body in fury, in hopelessness. In complete and utter fear. It filled my head with lies until I couldn't remember my own name. I was lost. I was panicking. It hadn't seen me yet, but it sensed I was near. It called for me. Said it needed and longed for me--this only made me hate it more. I knew I couldn't outrun it, yet I couldn't hide there forever. I had no clue what to do or where I was. Think, think! I practically smacked my head against the tree. My eyes landed on a glimpse of blue light through the thick maze of trees. If I could make it...

          I flew faster than my legs could carry me and dove headfirst through the trees, landing on my stomach in the slush. I scurried to my feet and hastily stood upon my weary legs. I tasted blood from where a stick pierced my lip; I was shaking from the cold and I rubbed my arms quickly. I was so dizzy I almost fell back to the ground, but I listened with the rest of my focus. No footsteps! A smile played on my features as I examined my surroundings. I was alone--for now. I was in an open clearing with a huge radio tower to my right, like an unshakable mountain that would keep me safe from what I couldn't remember. It shone blue light into the sky, with an enormous blue circle etched into the ground, starting from the tower and extending throughout the woods. I didn't know how I was so sure of this fact, as I couldn't see the circle, but I knew it was there; blue fire extended from the tip of the tower to the earth, and everything in me screamed not to cross that line. The little blue flames released glittery ash from their mouths when they sang, and it was entrancing as they dangerously gleamed and glistened in the light of the sun that escaped the branches of the tallest trees. All was peaceful. All was beautiful. And for that split second, I was safe. I hadn't heard the man approach me, as my focus was on the force field. He called me by a name that I knew was my own, and I spun cautiously to face him. His hair was pastel blue and fixed neatly. His eyes reflected the brilliance of the galaxy: ever changing hues of purple, gold, and green glimmering in a sea of black. His skin was paper-white, and he was dressed as if for war. Decorative paint over his chest, shoulders, and arms told stories of honor, glory, and humility. A man to be praised.
"Willow?" he asked, far less confident than before. His brow furrowed disappointingly. I hated the way something broke inside of me when his smile faded. Everything changed when I didn't respond.
"No. You are not allowed to forget." He was wise enough not to take a step toward me. I was furious that I trusted him--could he have been the one chasing me? "What's my name?" He asked, strangely kind.
I thought for a moment too long.
"Willow, what's my name?"
"... Ad..."
His eyes darted behind me. It happened before I could turn around. A bag was over my head and someone grabbed me from behind. My panic overwhelmed me for the better. Whoever grabbed me wasn't very smart. Strong, yes, but not smart. Something in me kicked into action.

I can't say what happened next.

          The man who had grabbed me was lying on the ground, clutching his throat. I sprinted to cross the fiery line. It was my last hope. I was darting like a gazelle, I was almost free--
"Willow, no!" The warrior literally dove for me and landed in the mud behind me. I smirked. Suddenly, his hand was around my ankle and had pulled me back. I clawed and screamed, desperately seeking freedom that was not meant to be.
"Please, calm down--" he started, before my foot smacked his face and forced him to release his hand. "STOP!" He flung to his feet and yanked my braid, sending me backwards at lightening speed. His hand was at the base of my braid, but there was still one thing I could do. I let out a furious shriek as I grabbed the knife from his belt and sliced off all my hair before wildly thrusting the knife in his direction. I collapsed as I passed through the portal. The last thing I heard before escaping over the line was the desperation in his voice.
"Willow, I--"

          "Miss?"
I tried to open my eyes. I thought they had been glued shut.
"Miss?" The female voice repeated. "Can you hear me?"
I groaned in reply.
"Oh my gosh, she's hurt real bad," a younger girl squeaked nervously.
"Sure she is. Just came outta the jungle, Doofus," a boy responded hastily. I opened my eyes just in time to see it.
"Give her some air!" The girl who first spoke smacked the other two, who flung backward.
"Gracious, you alright?" The boy, who appeared to be seventeen, apparently came too close for the sassy girl's liking. Once again, she shoved him away and he landed on his butt, completely embarrassed. On a good day, I would have laughed. It took all of my strength to sit up, but I fell defeated once more.
"You look like a zombie. Anything in particular pain?" Sassy asked as she gently set me up against a tree.
"No," I grunted, subconsciously clutching my stomach. Everything was numb, but I could feel metal. I felt metal in my stomach.
"OH--" Sassy gagged and stumbled backward, "--how do you not feel it--the blood--" The other two leaned in and Sassy didn't push them back again.
"Don't stress, we're low-key gonna help you!" The boy reached for my stomach, and I slapped his hand away with the last of my strength.
"She's right; pull it out and the blood will gush out uncontrollably," Sassy nearly threw up, and she turned away from me.
"I'm getting help!" The young girl said, only slightly louder than before, as she sprinted off into the distance.
"You're gonna be okay, Dude," the boy repeated.

"Don't worry..."

"Don't..."

          "...I think she's waking up..."
"Shut up and let her breathe!"
"She looks our age, so not a 'Miss'?"
My eyes opened much faster than I anticipated; I needed to get away, I needed to--the memory was gone as fast as it came.
"... I'm surprised you didn't break any bones," Sassy was saying, pushing her ginger hair out of her eyes. "Who knows how long you were out there." They were silent for a full minute before continuing.
"Name?" The shy girl asked. She had long and straight blond hair that always covered her dull grey eyes. She had on a grey beanie, and kept pulling her black leather jacket around her like she was cold. She wouldn't meet anyone's eyes, and though she addressed me, it seemed as if she was having a conversation with the air. She fidgeted like a drug addict before a high, but the others clearly believed her behavior was normal. Fine by me. I then realized they were all waiting for my answer. What had the man called me?
"Willow," I croaked as soon as I was able. Clearly, the fact that I could talk shocked them.
"Willow what?" The boy asked, his mood suddenly impatient as he slapped the buttons of some kind of machine.
"I don't know..." My head spun. The blue hospital room started to spin. "I wish I did..."