Falling into the Abyss

Into the darkness

Everything stopped, people were stood like statues all around me, people in cars, men on bicycles, babies in prams all lifeless, frozen in time. The blank looks on all their faces seemed to be focused on me but I wasn't really here, I didn't really exist. At least not like them. The only sound that I could hear was my own heartbeat, pounding in my head; I could feel it, trying to make its way out of my body. Not that I needed it anyway.

As I stepped forward, making my way slowly through the mass of bodies in the street, I watched them, silently judging me. At least, that's what it felt like, never-ending judgement from people I hardly knew and some I knew extremely well. However in this case, they all seemed to mingle together, every single person that I thought I knew looked like a stranger to me.
I walked and I walked until I ran out of pavement which led me to a small, earthy track leading into the woods. They were not the same as where I just came; the street had been bright, the sun shining almost too much making my eyes burn slightly but now, I stood in front of darkness. Grey mist floating eerily through the trees. Dead leaves scattered over the floor as if I would transition from summer to winter with just one step. My heart raced faster and faster until I could feel myself become disorientated. I was scared. With one last glance over my shoulder, I pushed forward, ignoring my instincts to turn around and run as fast as I could away from this place but I could sense its energy pulling me further into the darkness.

With every step I could feel the crunch of the leaves underneath my feet and every time they touched the ground a tiny shock would shoot up my legs. The pain getting worse, the further into the woods I went. Could it be a warning of what's to come? Maybe, but that didn't stop me. As I endured the agonising shocks to my body, I could hear whispers coming from amongst the trees. It startled me a little, as I realised that this was the only sound I had heard since being outside. There were no birds singing in the daylight, no buzzing of bees as they went on their way to pollinate; it was all still. My chest became heavier, making it difficult to breathe, which in turn made me feel dizzy, almost clumsy as I advanced through the fog. My eyesight faltered causing me to lose my footing and I crashed into the nearest tree. As I held onto the tree for support, I could feel something slither up my side. With a scream, I tried to push myself away but to no avail, a root had dug itself up from the earth and wrapped itself around me. My hands gripped onto the root tightly, desperately trying to release myself.

"Useless, it's all useless." A whisper in the darkness. This time I froze. The voice didn't sound human, there was a slight echo to it, almost as if there were two voices talking as one. Through blurry, tear filled eyes I tried to find whoever or whatever made that sound. Nothing. Fear filled my entire body and I realised that I should have stayed in the light. "No, my sweet," it started again. "Back there, you were not understood. You were not wanted. Under this cloak of darkness, in the abyss is where you truly belong."

It was as if it had read my mind. I tried to speak, to ask it what it wanted but I couldn't, it was as if it had silenced me with only its presence. I tried to scream and nothing. Not even a whisper came out of my mouth. As I struggled, trying to escape a black figure came into my line of vision.

"What's the rush, love?" it spoke lowly. "Isn't this what you wanted?" It was hideous. Black body with long, sharp claws and its face was long and drawn out. Its eyes were black too but teeth were a deep red, like blood. I stared at its sharp teeth and panicked. What did I do to deserve this? " What did you do?" It let out a booming laugh. "You're worthless. You don't belong in this world." It came closer and with a low chuckle it brought one of its claws to my face, leaving a long cut down my cheek. Crying out in pain, I tried to plead, tried to beg for my freedom but it only laughed again.

"Oh, you stupid girl. Why would I let you go? I mean, look at you, you're pathetic. You should just end it all and end everyone's burdens." I shook my head furiously. "Why not? Do you really think you'd be missed? By whom, may I ask?" Suddenly I felt a change, I could speak again.

"My friends, my family. They'd be heartbroken if I left!" I croaked out. This seemed to entertain it even more. I was tired and aching and fed up of hearing this creature laugh at my misery. Tears threatened to fall, I tried to hold them in but I couldn't. They fell freely down my face, staining my cheeks with black.

"They wouldn't give a damn if you left. In fact, it would free them of you. They've had to put up with your selfish being for years." Bawling my eyes out, I tried to disagree with it but it became difficult. "Maybe it's time to put it all behind you, let them live their lives in happiness without you." With that said, I felt the roots release me from their hold and I fell forward in a heap on the floor. I stayed there crying for a few moments, shaking my head. I didn't really want this but this creature, this demon was making it hard to see the good parts of my life. "I don't want to die," I whimpered.

"That's a shame."

It lifted me from the ground with me struggling and trying to pull away, screaming out desperately for help. It walked me toward a huge stone well in the middle of a clearing and placed me on the edge. "Please, don't make me do this." My head was speaking out against it but my body seemed to be under its spell, doing what it wanted. My feet stepped gingerly toward the edge of the stone wall. There was silence around me once again, my heart blaring in my ears. I don't want to do this. I repeated to myself but it was no use. I heard a chuckle and the creature whispered slowly..."Jump."