Twisted

Chapter 1

"I fear not the dark itself, but what may lurk within it." - Unknown 

~~

Blood. I can't seem to open my eyes, but I can smell blood. A lot of blood. The sickeningly-sweet, metallic smell is very strong, coating my throat with the scent on each intake of breath. Fear starts to take over as my mind tries to come up with some rational explanation as to why there is such a strong smell of blood.

I try to recall what happened, but everything is a blur. The last thing I can recall is the woods. I had been out for a run, trying to clear my head, and then it all goes blank. Nothingness, a gaping black hole replaces what should've been my memories.

Finally able to pry open my eyes, I try to look around, but I am surrounded by obsidian, an unfaltering darkness. Never in my life have I been surrounded by dark that was so consuming: it is the thing of nightmares. A small shudder courses through me, as fear continues to grow.

I try to stand up, try to move, but nothing happens. It's like I have no control over my body, everything feels numb. When I come to the realization that I cannot feel my toes or fingers, my heart starts to race. Sheer panic rushes through me. Never in my life have I felt so helpless. No matter the number of times I've been taken away from a family only to be placed with a new one, nothing could compare to this feeling. A sob rips through my body and I can do nothing to stop it. I feel wet, hot tears begin to glide down my face.

As if out of nowhere, I hear footsteps approaching me, but I still can't see. I still can't move. My impossibly fast heart rate spikes further and suddenly the footsteps stop. Not knowing if this person is right next to me or feet away causes my body to shake. The only sound I can hear is my labored breathing. The fear of what might happen next takes over and I quickly succumb to the darkness.

•••

I once again find myself awake, but still cannot remember what happened in the woods. I had left the foster home because I knew they wouldn't notice my absent and needed to get away to clear my head. But my memory of what happened once in the woods was completely gone.

I don't know how long I've been passed out or what has happened during the time I was out. I shudder remembering the footsteps I had once heard, hoping that they had left me alone.

This time when I try to move, I can feel my fingers twitch. I silently cheer to myself realizing that, what little strength I might have, seems to be returning. I continue to push myself, this time trying to move my toes. I need to get out of this place.

I may not be sure of where I am, but I have a large feeling of dread and I know the longer I stay, the more likely it is that something bad will happen to me.

I still can't see a thing, surrounded by pitch black. "Hey," a whisper echoes around me. A cold chill runs down my spine as I realize I am not alone.

The hairs on the back of my neck begin to rise. "W-who's there?" I manage to whisper back, my voice shaky and full of the fear that fills me. My voice is hoarse and as I swallow, it feels as if sandpaper is rubbing the back of my throat.

"I'm Sara," the voice calls back. I can't tell where it is coming from as the voice echoes everywhere throughout the room. "Are you a rogue?" The voice, Sara questions.

"A what?" My confused whisper rings out.

"What pack are you from?" Sara responds, almost as if clarifying her earlier question, but I still don't know what she is talking about.

"Pack? What are you talking about? I'm not in a gang, if that's what you mean," my voice crackles as I force the words out of my mouth. My mind begins to spin with all the foreign words being thrown into the darkness.