Number 667

Chapter Three

Macy shrieked as she tried to move her neck from the forest floor, the pine needles sticking to her skin, the crusty dried blood acting as paste. Macy remembered her last words to Her, "I don't need you anymore!", before she threw the glass jar that smashed against the floor in slow-motion agony.
Macy tried to sit up in vain again, but winced as more blood seeped from the jagged slice out of her arm. She brought the trembling fingers of her good hand to her neck, bringing them back to see blood pooling in the palm of her hand. She knew she wouldn't survive through the night.
She finally clambered up, slipping off her ragged clothes. She didn't even react to the slimy leaves, clammy sweat, and maroon blood trickling down her wrists. She lay them down on the forest floor, crawling across the ground to reach a small pool of murky water. Nothing could be seen in it, only a maple leaf.
"What has become of me?" Macy croaked, looking at her distorted, muddy reflection in the puddle. Her long blonde hair was tangled and ratty, her electric blue eyes were wild and insane. She stroked the visible wrinkles on her face, tears pooling in her eyes. She fingered the many strands of white and grey in her hair. Tears flowed down her face in little rivers, thinking of how old she had grown in only...
A sudden sound startled Macy. She whirled around to hear it again, an inhuman screech with a bit of a roar. But she knew exactly what it was.
Macy frantically tried to stand up, which she did manage to do, but she could not walk, let alone run. Her cuts were oozing pus and blood, and the weight and weakness of her old body was pulling her down. She knew it was no use. She would never escape...
"Macy?" A voice startled her as she lay sprawled on the ground. It wasn't Her voice though, it was masculine. A man emergd from the dark blanket of trees. He looked to be about twenty-five, with wavy auburn hair and amber eyes that looked like the center of a root beer candy. They always sparkled and glistened, like they were made of glass. He wore only a green windbreaker and red plaid pajama pants, but Macy recognised him at once.
"Peter!" Macy cried, only having enough energy for one small burst before she collapsed. "Macy?" The man said. As he drew closer, Macy could see the dark circles under his eyes and the growing stubble on his face. "After all these years?" Macy smiled weakly. "Yes, Peter. It's me. Do you really think I could forget you, "Candy Eyes"?" Peter couldn't even muster a small smile. He brushed long bangs out of his eyes. "Or you, "Sugar Smile"." He said flatly. Macy looked at him with worry in her eyes. "What's wrong, Peter?" She asked, reaching up to caress his cheek.
"How did this happen?" Peter asked, tears flowing down his face like twin waterfalls. "This goes against the laws of nature. It's - it's... Just not possible." Macy let go of her smile, moving her hand to her muddy, bare stomach. "It is. You must leave now, Peter. It's not safe here."
Peter looked into her eyes with confusion. "But... I live in Twills. This is my home now, Macy." Macy lowered her eyes, crying once again. "I should have known." She whispered. She looked blankly back up at Peter, knowing that what she was about to do would be the ultimate betrayal. She may never see Peter again. But it was worth it. He would be safe. "Peter," Macy said smiling. "In the woods, deeper, there is a house. It is very big, and very beautiful. In this house, you will find a beautiful woman. You must stay with her for a long time." Macy looked down at her bare feet. "A very long time."
Peter gazed into her eyes. "Why?" Macy gazed back at him with the same morbid intensity. "Because you'll be safe. Forever." She kissed him softly on the cheek, at the same time hearing a rustling from the underbrush. "Go!" She said with as much strength as she could muster. "Hurry, Peter!" Peter got up, but said, "No! I can't leave you like this!" Macy looked at him, tears in her eyes. "You... Have to." She whispered softly. Peter hung his head and padded into the forest, not even looking back.
Macy hugged her knees to her chest, weeping to the whole forest. Her sobs echoed through her head. "What have I done?!" She kept saying to herself. How could I do that, she thought. How could I trap Peter in an eternal prison?! She was now thoroughly covered in mud, but she didn't care. Her neck wound didn't even hurt, though the blood seeped down her back, staining the already wet leaves scarlet.
Then she heard the scream.
It was haunting, and full of terror. "Peter!" Macy yelled, her vision blurred. "Peter!" Macy heard her own voice screaming back at her, the sound echoing off of the trees, mingled with the spine-chilling sound of the scream. " 'I don't need you anymore!' " she heard her voice say. It rang in her ears, shoving her back into the leaves. It rang and rang and rang, until...
Everything went black.