Stay Away!
The sign read in large red paint on a worn-out driftwood. It hang on a barbed wire fence that surrounded the City. No one knows what lie beyond the fence, but it is necessary that each year the Chief leads the Expansion—an act wherein him and a bunch of his fiercest warriors and builders trek beyond the fence and expand our territory by making a new fence, while destroying the new one. The last time was 12 years ago. And we had never expanded despite their efforts of exploring. My dad never told me or gave hints on what he saw there—he just keep it all in, along with his men.
I braved through the small hole in one of the fences that lead me to the dangers of the other side—the Wilderness. I've heard stories about it when I was a kid. Beings with metal-like objects grafted on their skin, and those with bones that twisted abnormally reigned the Wilderness. Not to mention the flora of it. Giant purple flowers that can devour a cow whole in less than a minute, and trees that walked on the red soil. Those were just stories—fantasies conjured by the mind, forming monstrosities to scare little kids to keep them at bay. But now that I'm here, in the flesh, in the Wilderness, I'm starting to think that those stories are, in fact, woven from the truth.
I am all alone in here. No one to carry my dying body if ever those stories manifested to reality. No one to hear my last dying breath. The only thing that kept me at bay was fear, and uneasiness creeping in my body as I felt my heart on my throat—as well as the unnatural force that is tugging me toward the Ranges, just way beyond the Wilderness.
As I ventured through the Wilderness, rock formations that towered over me are plenty, and small organisms that are, weirdly, at the same time, familiar and unfamiliar to me. Some were cute little furry beings with long ears that hopped as it nibbled on some greens. Another notable being was a small insect that buzzed around me before nestling itself on the middle of some flowers. Nothing I've found yet quite fitted the description of the stories unraveled to me. Still, I did not let my guard down as I depended merely on my telekinetic powers—that alone, against the Wilderness.
It had been hours since I started my trek, and yet, the Ranges still seemed like a dream from afar. The sun had started to set behind the Ranges and the fatigue that I was feeling was replaced—surging once again was the feeling of fear as the realization kicked in that I'll be left defenseless under the night's sky. I don't even know what lies behind the curtains of darkness in here.
As I neared the Ranges, I found a rock formation that curved into a cave and decided to spend there for the night. The sun had ultimately set and I'm all alone in an unknown cave in the place of mysterious wonders. The cold caressed my skin and slowly turning into a slap as the temperature went down faster. I felt myself shiver as the cold became unbearable.
I focused on channeling my powers despite the cold, trying to contact something or someone around me. Nothing. My powers failing me as my body becomes numb from the cold. The shaking stopped and I can feel the sleepiness get the best of me, but I still kept my ground and never let it consume me.
Thin fabric and leaves were the only thing between me and the shivering night's kiss. I kept my mind occupied as I searched for signs of life that I could contact. And there it was, the tugging feel that brought me in this place.
I found myself standing, my makeshift blanket of leaves falling apart, and legs moving away from the cave that I considered my home for a few hours and into the Wilderness wherein the cold bites fiercely.
I faced the cave and my feet found its place on its surface as I continued to climb up—hoisting my frail body with the help of my powers. On top was an even smaller cave that I snuggly positioned myself. In here, it was roomier. The temperature was bliss in comparison to the terror outside. With my strength regained a bit, albeit still weak, I managed to spark a fire with the two rocks that I found and made a bonfire with the scraps of leaves I was able to get.
With my comfort raised a bit, I continued to scan for life in hopes of finding someone to help me get out of this mess. I already left out telepathic messages on the trail I trekked through, as well as a farewell message in my previous cave. My mind continued to search, yet there was still this tugging feeling. I let it consume me as my mind raced as I looked for a connection.
And there it was. A vision of a beautiful night sky that shone the expanse of trees from below. And beyond that were strange structures that seemed to have dilapidated over time. Then, the picturesque view shifted as the person I'm tracking through its eyes moved to lie underneath a tree to witness a wondrous sight of stars that dotted the night sky.
It was tiring to continue this connection. And with all my might, I tried to talk to the person. "Hello?"