Nightmare

Night

"We have to keep moving," Rowan says, pulling me further into the fog, away from the clearing, leaving the dead creature behind.

I watch in fascination as the fog gets darker and inkier as we walk, and then it begins to thin out.

Now we're standing in a forest with dark trees and somewhat glowing leaves. It's like the leaves are little candles. Beautiful.

"We're in Night now. We just crossed the border. Now be very careful. This is one of the deadliest lands in Underhill."

I reach to a tree to touch one, but Rowan snatches my hand away gently. "It's poisonous."

"Oh. So how long will we have to walk?"

"With breaks, maybe three days."

"Okay."

And then the little lights on the trees flicker out, plunging us both into blackness.

So many reminders of my past in the dark, so many bad memories, so much darkness. I hate it. I despise it. I fear it.

I'm scared. I can't breathe again. I can't feel anything. It's all numb. I try to call out for anyone, even make the smallest noise, but nothing comes out.

I know I'm shaking, and I feel lightheaded and nauseous. Dizzy.

I can't even tell if my eyes are open or closed.

"Help," I finally manage to choke out. "Hel--"

And I go unconscious.

(+)

I don't dare open my eyes.

Am I even awake?

Am I dead?

What if it's still really dark and my eyes are already open?

I think I might be dead.

No, I can still move. So I'm still alive, which is a little unfortunate.

I haven't thought of home in a while. I wonder what's going on there.

I hope they haven't put the pieces together.

I still feel like shit.

I know I'm laying down somewhere, and something feels warm. I hear a fire crackling near me, and my head is on something soft. I don't know what it is.

If there's a fire, that must mean it's not pitch black. So I dare to open my eyes.

Shakily, I begin to sit up and I see Rowan next to me, in front of the fire.

"How--" I say, wincing, "How long was I out?"

"A few hours, maybe four or five," Rowan says. "You scared me."

"Well, I'm awake now." I announce.

"I can see that," he comments, smiling.