"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable."-Christopher Reeve
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Rumbling thunder startles me, dragging me out of my near-constant internal monologue. Blinking, I look around only to find myself on the outskirts of a forest, rain clouds darkening the sky above me.
'Did they call for rain?'
"Morana," A voice calls, drawing my attention to what appears to be an impossibly large snow leopard. Or at least the apparition of one. Its transparent body stands only a few feet away from me, facing the forest. The ghost-I'm assuming it was a ghost; otherwise, I completely lost my mind-turns to stare at me from over its shoulder, our eyes meeting.
My feet suddenly feel heavy, as if roots held me captive where I stand. My heartbeat becomes erratic as I stare at the apparition in front of me, its glowing blue eyes piercing my soul. I know you, my mind cries. I'm not sure where the sudden thought comes from, but the truth of it seems to lift a weight off of my heart.
Without warning, its mystical body is replaced by an orb of glittering shadow. It floats around briefly, enticingly, before darting off into the darkened forest. Like every idiotic horror movie protagonist, I chase after it. I'm not even sure if I even had a choice, my body moving of its own accord.
The sounds of the forest blur together as I run. I try my best to avoid the fallen branches and nearly buried rocks in the ground. Having natural night vision helps; something about light coloured eyes seeing better in the darkness. Still, every once in a while, I find myself stumbling in my hurry.
My lungs burn, my heart hammering in my chest. I try to keep up with the orb as it surges forth, weaving effortlessly through the trees around us. 'I should've tried harder in gym classes.' I am not made for this kind of cardio. No amount of yoga or breathing exercises could have prepared me for this excursion.
My pulse and breathing are ragged, erratic. The rapid drumming of my heart fills my ears, matching the ferocity of my thundering footsteps. Slowing to a stop, I take in my surroundings, the orb nowhere to be seen.
I find myself in an alcove, darkened by the budding storm above. It is simultaneously foreign and familiar, with the lining of trees casting ominous shadows against the lush earth. The flora decaying as if poisoned by the grim atmosphere. In the halcyon of the forest, cicadas and owls sing in the distance, the light mist of rain showering the earth below. Where are you? I ask myself, peering around. 'Were you just an illusion? Have I finally lost all my marbles?'
Bone-chilling, bodiless whispers call out to me like a siren, drowning out the symphony of the world. Hauntingly beautiful, yet sinister given the circumstances. The hair along my arms rises with the swift spread of fresh goosebumps, my gut screaming at me to leave this place.
"Who's there?" My breathy question hangs in the air, the rising wind amplifying the eerie silence. Then, the mist turns to a downpour, and some leaves lift from the ground, gently swirling like a tornado. Lightning strikes the ground ahead, deafening thunder following soon after. I take a step back, ready to turn around and head back to safety, but my feet refuse to move any further.
The murmurs gain in volume, blending well with the storm. Feminine voices. A song carried in the wind, harmonizing in a language I do not recognize. I squeeze my eyes shut, bringing my hands to my ears in an attempt to shut it all out.
"Stop it," I plead, voice shaking in uncertainty. "Stop it, stop it! Stop it!" I shout, sure that I have finally lost my mind. All of this is crazy, something that doesn't happen in real life. This has to be a dream. *When I open my eyes, I'll be at home in my bed with some stupid dark academia remake no one asked for playing in the background*. Except my mind is wrong. I open my eyes once more, still in the clearing.
The wind ceases, leaves settling where the lightning struck as smoke rises from the spot. Biting my lip, I hesitantly step forward, and suddenly I'm standing over a tiny black mass. There is a weakened glow surrounding it; the body rises and falls weakly with irregularity. I crouch down, reaching my hand out only to be met with fading warmth and the softest fur. 'A cat?'
"Hey lil guy, are you okay?" I coo, running my hand along its body. The poor thing is barely moving, hardly breathing. It is understandable, seeing as it was struck down, but it wasn't there before the electric bolt. At least, I don't remember seeing it. "C'mon buddy, come here. Hey, it's okay buddy, I got ya," I kneel next to it, carefully lifting the little body into my arms.
"Well, isn't this sweet?" I spin my body to face whoever spoke, falling on my ass. My body freezes, my heart dropping to my stomach. A man stands there, impossibly tall, with sharp features and serpentine eyes. My gut constricts uncomfortably as he resumes speaking. "Don't worry, love, I'm just here for the beast. Leave, and I promise I won't hurt ya." His voice is honeyed, with a faint accent.
"Go fuck yourself." I curse, spitting at him, the saliva hitting his cheek. Decidedly, not my most brilliant move. The man's movements are dramatic and drawn out as he wipes the liquid away. His eyes never leave mine. His lips pull into a sinister grin, a dry laugh emitting from his lips.
"Don't say I didn't warn you, pet." He growls, standing taller.
I scramble back, attempting to get away from him. He stalks towards me, much like a predator. His breathing gets heavier, his eyes shifting hues into a terrifying white. Small horns grow out of his forehead, and he morphs into a hollowed, decaying monster, like a zombie. Then, he throws his head back in a low, guttural roar, and I'm paralyzed.
'Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit. I fucked up. I'm gonna die, and it's all because I had to save a cat. Good job, Morana.'
The man lifts his hand out towards me, remaining silent. The smell of death follows the smoke-like substance circling around his appendage. The murky grey vapour gathers in his palm before projecting out like a beam.
"No!" I scream as it races towards me. I duck my head, clinging onto the injured animal in regret and fear. I'm so sorry, buddy. I squeeze my eyes shut, wishing I could be anywhere but here. To be safe. A tingling sensation spreads through my body. My head feels light, dizzy from lack of oxygen. An incredible light shines, piercing through my eyelids, bringing warmth with it. I hear a pained scream that sounded anything but human, and then I'm submerged in all-consuming darkness.
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