Hesitant Touch

1

My eyes flickered open multiple times, not looking at anything. I sat up, taking in my surroundings. There was white everywhere with tall naked oak poking up from the ground. I was dressed in a large dark green parka that reached my knees with grey gloves that clung tightly to each of my fingers. Some black boots were keeping my feet surprisingly warm. I stood hearing the snow shift under me. My lengthy fire colored hair fell to my back. I was trying to recollect where I was or why I was here. I couldn't remember.

I stood and began to walk, hearing the crunch of the snow every step I took. I took my time looking for any sign of life. I watched my breath as the air turned to smoke as I exhaled, finding it rather interesting. It was very calm and I found comfort in that. It was strange, but I felt as if I had no worries in the world.

I then noticed snow flakes falling from the sky. I watched the unique patterns that came down and joined the already fallen snow on the ground. I shoved my hands into my pockets only to feel cold metal. I scooped it into my hand and pulled it out. A silver chained connected to a small blue and purple colored orb that was attached to the chain by a silver hoop. I watched it for a couple more seconds, and it shifted colors. It was now red with specs of orange embedded into it. I put my newfound treasure back into my pocket and continued on.

I came to a small frozen river and applied pressure with my foot to the ice to see if it would give way. To my luck, it did, so I jumped a crossed and landed firmly and kept walking.

Oleander... Run...

I looked around as a voice whispered all around me, causing me to be unable to pinpoint the origin of the voice. It was a female voice.

"H-Hello," my voice croaked. "Who are you?"

A loud howl erupted behind me. I turn seeing a man dressed in a blue coat and some black Jean's with a dusty colored wolf next to him.

Run...NOW!

That same voice from before rang in my head as I took off running away from the wolf and man. I heard the steps behind me telling me I was being chased. I looked beside me as the man and wolf were next to me, one on each of my sides. I pushed myself harder, leaving them both behind, but once again, they caught up to me. The trees were going past me quickly it was all a blur. I looked behind me just for a quick second, seeing where they were when I tripped over a fallen log . I landed on my side and elbow. It didn't hurt that much because of the snow, but it still hurt.

The wolf stood above me on the log as I shuffled backward. It snarled in response, showing its sharp canines in a threatening stance. It lunged at me, and I held my arm up, covering myself like it was going to save me. I closed my eyes tight, waiting for the pain of my arm being ripped from my body, but it never came. I felt nothing.

"What-what...No," the man was above me now, staring at me flabbergasted.

I looked down around me. Bones were scattered with a gray powder that covered my parka, which I assumed to be ash. The mans expression changed to anger and hatred as his bones began to crack. A large grey wolf stood before me.

I scrambled to my feet and started running away again, hearing a long howl behind me and then the trotting of feet that quickly sped up. I saw a large clearing ahead and ran to it. The wind started to pick up, and the soft flakes turned to tiny balls of ice that hurt every time they touched the bare skin on my face. My vision was becoming blurred as I kept running.

A howl erupted from behind me in the distance, and I could no longer hear the wolf chasing me. I stopped and turned around, seeing a pair of blue colored eyes glowing through the brewing white wash. I shivered as the wind blew right through me.

Crack!

The ground shifted under me. I looked down, seeing that I was standing on a frozen lake. I lifted my leg slowly only to produce another loud crack! Three different howls sounded all around me. I snapped my head up, looking as I met with a pair of piercing red eyes from the distance. I was stuck, lost gazing back into those eyes. They were beautiful but full of anger and danger.

Crack!

The ice shifted under me again, and I could see the lines now. It looked like someone had taken a baseball bat to glass, trying to smash it. It made a beautiful spider web effect as well, and I was at the center. I watched the continuous line move around me till it came straight back under me. I looked up once again at the crimson eyes that were now closer. The ice gave way beneath my feet, and I fell in.

The frigid cold engulfed my body, like microscopic needles stabbing me over and over. I reached my arms up, trying to get out through the opening I fell through, but it was too late. I was away from the spot, and the bitterness of the water was eating at my body. I heard another darkening howl and the pitter patter of paws thumbing against ice. I blinked a couple more times, feeling my body grow limp, letting the water take hold of me.

I closed my eyes as those blood red eyes appeared above me.

I became numb as everything faded into nothingness.