The Abyss

Run. That was the only thing on my mind.

I sprinted past trees, barely avoiding the precariously low branches. I could hear the heavy, pounding footsteps and the dogs' barking. They were right behind me, closing in like creeping fog. Then it was as if I had been lassoed around ankles and yanked with no warning. Down. Down. Down I tumbled, landed on the cold, hard, unforgiving ground. Slowly, I pulled up my scraped and bruised body and peered around at my surroundings to get my bearings. Rising infront of me was a set of stairs with two sinister statues stood guard on either side. I slowly plodded to the base of the stairway, almost as if through a muddy field, when I felt an ominous breeze. It crept up from the holes in my shoes, wrapped around my legs, slipped around my waist, causing the hair on the back of my neck to stand up. It whisked past my ear and I heard it whisper, "She is coming for you."

Those words repeated over and over again in my head, echoing like in a canyon.

"Who is she?" I wondered "And why is she coming for me?" I looked to the stairs again; they seemed like my only way out. Cautiously, i took my first step. My chest tightened with each additional step. Hesitantly I waited on the top step, when a vine snagged my left ankle. I desperately tried to shake it off, but the grip only got tighter. Another menacing vine shot out of the darkness and encircled my right arm. I tried to scream with what little breath was left in my lungs, but my mouth was covered by a cold, small, clammy hand. I spun around and I saw her. She had a petite, pixie-like frame. Her emotionless eyes were sunken into her face and her skull was very prominent through her pale snow-white skin. She had bony little fingers that moved in a non-stop rolling motion. "What are you you doing here?" she ordered.

" I fell through a hole and landed here." The words tumbled from my mouth, as I stood, terrified.

" You must get out of here before she returns!" she demanded.

" Who is she?" I pleaded.

" Everyone's worst nightmare." And with that, she slipped away, as if waking from a dream.

Then a very warm and calming breeze surrounded me. It was very comforting and soothing. With restored confidence, I ripped myself free of the vines and stood in amazement as I saw an orange glow creep over the hill in front of me. It went from one side of the hill to the other, dancing in my direction. I felt as if I were in a trance and it was drawing me in, making promises. The glow grew stronger and I began to hear what sounded like fire crackling. The orange glow was evil, but I couldn't turn away.

The fire grew bigger and was now completely surrounding me, like a prison. Still, I couldn't move, my feet were cemented to the ground. Directly in front of me, a young siren emerged through the fire. Her long auburn hair cascaded down her back like waves. She had an innocent face, but I felt a gnawing in the pit of my stomach, something was wrong. I fought to turn my gaze from her, but her dainty, smooth fingers gripped my face with unexplainable strength.

"Hello Handsome", she purred. "I haven't seen such a desirable, young man in years." I clamped my mouth shut and struggled not to look into her eyes, afraid that I would fall under the spell of her charm. I assumed this was the "her" in the warning from the wind and the old lady.

Suddenly, a burning sensation spread across my foot. I looked desperately only to see my shoe had caught on fire. I could not will my body to move. I should have felt borrow as the flames raced up my body. Instead I felt a comfort wrap around me as the beautiful young siren held my hand. I looked into her eyes and had no fear. I knew this was my fate and I accepted it with open arms.