Dark Land (Incomplete)

Chapter 2 - The Forest

I get woken by my stepfather's usual wake up call, a smack to the side of my head. We share a bunker during the Dark Time, when the red stars disappear and leave us stranded in darkness. But now the stars have returned to the heavens and it's time for work. It's harvest time. The berries have began to fall, and the leaves are full and plenty. I get up stiff. Our bunker is small and confined, especially when you have to share one. I take my morning ration of bitter water and head outside. It's hotter than usual, and I instantly feel the fatigue. With sweat dripping down and burning my eyes I pick the berries. I hate picking them. The prickles leave sore spots all over your hands and cleaning them stains your fingertips black.

Lunch time has finally arrived. I'm exhausted and starving. I'm sick of leaves and berries. The old lady that lives beside us tells me stories of the old world. Of meat, milk, cheese, bread, and ice cream. I try my hardest to imagine those things while I force myself to swallow the dry leaves. But, I can't. It's hard to imagine something you've never had. Before I take my last bite the town bell rings once. Doug and I both stop and listen for another ring. One is a warning that the creatures are close to the borders and to stay towards the inner city. There's a knock on the door. Doug opens it, and in walks the most annoying man in Dark Land, Pope, the "mayor" of our community. The old lady says he was a spoiled brat with privilege out the wazoo so now he thinks he's in complete control of everyone. The town let him too. After all his father was the real mayor in the old world.

"Doug, it's urgent." Pope paces back and forth frantically. Eyes darting side to side. It's easy to see he isn't equipped to handle too much pressure.

"What is it boy? Quit pacing, you're gonna burn holes in the floors," Doug replies impatiently.

"The storage. The crimson leaves AND the dark berries are completely gone! Inventory was today but it's ALL gone Doug!" his voice gets higher and higher.

"Keep it down," Doug growls.

Doug looks at me and ushers me to leave with a nod. I take my mid-day swig of water and head out the back door. I should start picking again, especially with our supply completely gone. But I don't. Instead I walk. I zig zag across the street. No one is out today. Probably the heat or the warning bell. I'm lost in my own head, my thoughts speeding one after another, when I realize I'm at the border. I freeze. It's silent, so silent. I look back in town and see red shack after red shack. Then I look back to the outlands and take a step on the other side.

I don't know what takes me over, but I keep walking as quietly as I can. I hear nothing but my own heavy breathing. The town bell rings. I stop. It rings again. Two rings means someone is missing or has been spotted leaving town. Instead of heading back I walk straight to the Forest. The red trees beckon me. As I step into the threshold of the trees I realize what a mistake I've made. Why the fuck did I go into the forest?

I turn to run back home only to see eyes. Eyes all around me. The Dark Kind has surrounded me. I'm an idiot. I back away slowly. I keep backing away as I stare into the soulless eyes around me. Until I bump into something. It doesn't feel like a tree. I feel warmth. I feel a man. I freeze in fear. I'm finally afraid, real fear. The creatures will just consume you. The Dark Man will play with you. I just know it's him as I turn around. I gaze into his eyes. He has amusement written on his face. Like he was bored but now has a new game to play.

"This is our land girl," he growls. I just stare at him. He begins to circle me. I know I'm falling into his trap because I feel us moving deeper into the forest.

"I didn't mean to trespass, I'm sorry. I'll just head back now and be out of your way."

He laughs. His laugh is so melodic and contagious that I start laughing for no reason at all. When he hears me laugh, he stops.

"The truce says that if humans trespass, we consume."

"I know."

"And yet you've wandered out anyway. I watched you leave. You weren't filled with madness like the others that leave. What brought you to me?" I'm backed against a tree now. Trapped, a tree at my back and the Dark Man himself standing a inches away in front of me. Suddenly I get brave or stupid.

"Well go on then, toss me to your creatures. Death isn't the end anyway," I say straightening my back and staring him dead in the eyes.

"I've watched you all the past twenty years. You are one who has held my interest. I've tried to call out to you but the madness never takes you. It never brings you to me. You smile and hum while working all day. Breaking your back for a man who beats you. Madness should have taken you over so easily. What is inside that little heart of yours?"

I tear up. I'm ok with facing death, but he got a little too personal. I felt vulnerable knowing that he knew all this about me. And when the first tear fell down my cheek I blacked out.

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always,

Dorothy (OZ)