Burning Ice

Chapter 15-Doppelgangers

I could almost feel my veins burst. What was this? Obviously he thought that this was some sort of game. I knew he was a disgusting pig by the way his eyes gazed over my body. What right could he possibly have targetting some poor little girl whom just wants to wake up from this freaking nightmare. 

I spirinted as fast as my legs would let me. The moon was shining and I noticed that we were headed into a thick copse of maple trees. I squinted to see the end but it was pooled with darkness and leaves.

I hauled and quivered my lips. Something wasn't right. This was definitely not home. I shut my eyes and wrapped my arms around myself. It was unnaturally cold around the area. 

I took slowly cautious steps towards the dense forest.

"Hello! I know your there, so, why don't you just come out." My voice was shaky, a reflection of my inside. It reminded me of the terrible speech I tried back at school. Except I wasn't chasing some psycho back then. One that could possibly kill me.

The leaves rumbled and immediately I covered my mouth. I couldn't scream. No way! I knew enough from horror movies that it would only prove your weakness. But that was the least of my problems.

Not five minutes into the woods and my hands started to ignite. I sputtered and I realized I was breathing out smoke. The smoky substance clouded my surroundings and the fire luminated the near area. 

Immediately my first instinct was panic. I couldn't give away my position so easily. I tried to command it to stop. But it was useless. Fire just seemed to flow even faster and I heard the leaves crumble underneath my feet. Then I fell.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" I screamed and shrieked until I realized that I was falling through mud!  My breathes became fire and it started to heat my face. It singed my face creating tears in my eyes. I took deep breathes trying to control the situation.

Then I realized though I was being submerged into mud I was still breathing! Before I could think twice I splashed into water and was sinking like a rock.

I pushed my feet forcing my body to rise to the surface. I gulped in air like I've never been so happy to see something. Drowning has that effect on you. I was enjoying the fresh, cool water until a giant bird swooped down and sliced the water.

And I kid you not sliced the water.

The water divided into two and before I knew it created a whirlpool. As if it couldn't get any worse, a giant octopus surfaced from the whirlpool. The creature was scaly with disgusting purple suckers. Worst, its head was the size of a stadium!

"Impressed?" I shuddered, he sounded so egoistic. It make me step back, since I was pretty insecure. 

"I-" 

"You witnessed Dragon, he isn't friendly to hot girls like you."

I blushed, not knowing how to respond.

He shrugged, then he gestured to my hands. My mouth formed an O but I was cranky. What was he trying to pull? I wasn't coming here to play jokes and games. The world devours all who think live is some kind of fantasy. And Keira... was living proof.

"You know you just dissed yourself Flamethrower."

"I-why am I Flamethrower? And I didn;t because I never said anything." His eyes drifted away into the forest looking like he was super bored. I was beyond frustrated. Breathing heavy I realized that the a storm was whipping like winds. Krystal? No I needed to be rational, there is no way Krystal would be here. 

Turning to face the boy standing metres away I realized I was waist deep in water. The clouds started thundering and my heart leaped. Startled I could only turn to the boy with fearful eyes. Lifting my leg I seemed to be held under. 

It was cold and my breath was shaky. The boy stared into me chewing quietly on some weird stick. His bangs flew on his forehead and his natural coloured hair was covered by copper strands most likely highlights. In fact he could probably pass as cute.

I jerked myself away because someone... the boy abruptively appeared at my feet and I fell bottom first into the water. He reached in but I bit his hand, instead of jerking away he snapped his fingers. Then everything was black

I caught my breath and I was outside again, away from water. 

"Thanks." I muttered, assuming that the silouette above me was my saviour. I never got an answer.

Surprised and suddenly afraid of being alone my head shot up and I could see to shadows some distance away. I grumbled because most rescuers don't leave their companion dripping in mud. However, as I put pressure on my foot to get up a swell of pain stopped me.

"Grrr!" Tears formed in my eyes. I held them in because I didn;t want to appear weak.

A flash of lightning filled the sky with a stunning spark of hope and devastion. My prayers to those caught in the storm. Then again I was caught in the storm.

At that moment a boy, no the same boy merged from the cluster of trees. He was panicked and pale. His lips were swelling and blood dripped from his face, I wondered what happened. But it seemed he just noticed me because his eyes just darted at me. My face was a mixture of hatred and shock. But then as he tried to reach me a cloud of pooling spirls pulled him away.

The boy didn't lose his focus on me. I stared helplessly at him.

"Move!" I turned around and the shadow of a person hovered over me.

"Y-ou wouldn't, I-I can't hurt you please don't!" My words were mixed and I couldn't feel my emotions. They were jumbled and my body was numb.

"Raven, you're the evil in this world. Maybe what Talen tells me is true. You have good in you and maybe you shouldn't have to face a destiny. But this world is hell! You, are the only thing I see that won't bring a future. So...."

A flash and I was against something hard. It prickled my back as my head was drooped. A new warmth flooded against my body. 

It was him, this is what he wanted to show me. I was his nightmare like Keira had been mine. He was one of me.

I didn't answer because he seemed to know what I was thinking.

"Doppelgangers."