I found a lake. It was small with cool water that fell into a deep, dark abyss. I found it during my run. After dinner I had the sudden urge to run. So I ran, and I ran, and I ran until I felt like stopping. Then, I ran some more until I came upon the lake. For some reason, purely spontaneous, I decided to jump in. Skinny dipping was not something I'd personally take part in so I kept on my spandex and sports bra as I wadded through the still water. It was peaceful right then. Probably the most peaceful I had ever been. I laid on my back and relaxed. Soon, I found myself sinking; falling down under the water. I held my breath and let my body go until the light of the evening sun was a small dot and I was surrounded by darkness. As I sunk deeper, I grew colder and lightheaded. I couldn't see anything but I felt everything. When I couldn't hold my breath anymore, at the very last second, I blew out and pushed myself to the surface. Everything was bright again. As I brushed the hair out of my face and the water out of my eyes, I heard a ringing sound in my ear. It was high pitch and very intense as it vibrated through my body and I felt as if I needed to turn around. I did and I suddenly found myself facing the wolf. I don't know how I knew, maybe I felt it, but it was the same wolf I saw a few weeks ago. Its long, dark strands of fur stuck off its large, muscular body as it stood tall and proud. It didn't move and like last time it just stood there, watching me as I watched it. I felt the urge to touch it and before I knew it, my body was moving forward through the water until I was standing on the forest floor, dripping wet and breathing shallow. The wolf had yet to move as I continued to advance on it. I stopped when I stood just inches away from it; its eyes penetrating my very soul and pulling me to it. I blinked and suddenly, it took off. I blinked again, and it was gone. I didn't think, I just went after it. Racing through the tall, evergreen trees I ran as fast as I could. I paid no mind to the darkening sky, the cold air whipping my face, or the sharp sticks and rocks that pained my bare feet. I had to stop. I was out of breath and I had no idea where I was going. I had lost it. Or I thought so when I heard twigs snapping. I jerked my head to the right. I saw a wolf, but it wasn't the wolf. This one was a lighter brown and smaller. Its eyes were a dull, dark brown and unlike the other one, it left a cold feeling inside me. As it pressed forward, I stepped back. I watched it take stance and then lept. I screamed.
Waking up, I was drenched in sweat. My hair was matted to the sides of my face and my mouth tasted salty from the tears that had dried on my face. Getting out of bed, I went to the bathroom, flinching as the light turned on. I looked a mess as I ducked my face under the running water. Washing my face did nothing to calm my beating heart so I decided to go downstairs for some water. The house was pitch black but I didn't want to turn on any lights and wake anybody up. As I walked down the stairs into the kitchen, I looked outside. It was dark but the sky was lit up by the small stars and the big, full moon. As I drank, I watched it, enthralled by its beautiful. The light was so intense I had to close my eyes and just breathe. Suddenly, I heard a loud howl. It sounded close but far. It called to me, vibrating and hitting my very core.
"What are you doing?" A voice snapped me out of my trance.
I turned suddenly, my eyes landing on a figure behind me. I could see the silhouette of AJ by the door. He was dressed as if he was going out or had just come back.
"Where you just outside?" I asked, frowning and looking at the time.
"I was taking a walk," He replied.
"At 2 in the morning?" I asked skeptically.
"I do it every night. I haven't been able to sleep so I take walks until I get tired," AJ explained. I knew he was lying. Or at least he wasn't telling me the whole truth.
"You better not be making any sneaky drug deals," I warned him, finishing off my glass.
"Be realistic, you and I are the only ones up right now," He told me. I didn't reply for a minute, just stared at him.
