Darkness, potent darkness. Deep and thorough it breaks into me. It feels nice. Drowning in this darkness feels nice....
Just as I was submerging into it, something hauled my neck, pulling me out of the black abyss. Sharp pain ran along my back when I landed on solid....and wet ground. Cold needles bumped against me, causing my heavy eyes to open. Water entered my vision. I shielded my eyes. My body was ladened with unknown heaviness.
I tried my hardest before getting up off the uncomfortable sloppy ground. I reflexively held my arms due to the cold. I couldn't see anything thanks to the absence of light brought upon my the night. With the rustling and what little I saw with my vision, I deduced I was in a jungle.
Where am I? What I am? Who I am?
These questions entered my mind but strangely I didn't have answers to that. The dread of obliviousness to something necessary tensed over me.
I need cover, too cold. The temperature added to rain was killing me. My lungs went ice everytime I took air in. I was standing naked in the middle of a raining jungle, not knowing who I am or where I am.
I think I should walk. It's might not be safe here.
Moment I took the first step, I heard a footstep. Not only mine but something else too. The hair on my body stood from the roots and my body shriveled up. The steps deepened. I must not wait for it to get close. I started running then my feet halted when I heard a voice.
" Is someone there?"
It was a woman's shrill voice. I got too roused and involuntarily raised my voice, not determining if it was a friendly or foe. Yet I didn't flee. Who knows what perils lie ahead in this jungle? What if this person is someone like me; Lost.
Orange glow emerged out of space. A woman in leather stood face to face with me, holding a lantern few meters away. My nudity ashamed me but I had my priorities straight.
The woman neared. She had a wooden mask plastered to her face. I could only make out her almost 6ft height and purple hair rolling down her shoulders.
" So this is your answer my dark lord."
She uttered under her breath and extended her hand to touch me. I slided back in alarm.
" Don't be so vigilant boy. I'm not going to hurt you. I wouldn't dare." She coaxed. I swear she was smiling behind the mask. Her voice hid sanguine maturity. She definitely wasn't someone too young.
" I..." Trying to speak, I found my throat so sandy it hurt. I gurgled my throat clear so that I would be able to speak.
" Where am I?"
She didn't immediately reply to my strained question but took off her mask. Her eyes were burning yellow . Those bright suns bore into my eyes. Her sharp nose ridge complimented her already beautiful pale face. The thin lips were painted purple;just like her hair. Perhaps she's aged between 30 to 35.
" You are here where you suppose to be. Your name boy?"
What she said, I couldn't catch onto it. And I myself was struggling with her question.
" My name...I don't really know."
" You don't know your name?" She widened her eyes slightly curious, ascertaining I wasn't faking.
" I can't remember. I don't know why I am here....don't even know who I'm. "
I said that....and it pained me.
" Then I'll show you who you are and what you can be." Her soft voice sounded like a sweet whisper.
" You will?" Hope rekindled in me. She's a complete stranger, in spite of that I want to believe her. She has the look of benignance, at the same time...evil.
" Yes. Let's get you out of here. Here, take this." She placed her hands on my chest and the next thing I knew, I was dressed. I was stunned. How did she do that!
" Don't say it. In time you can do these things things as well."
I can? I followed her and we began to tread the wildland. My gaze was fixed on her back while I followed her. Who is she? What does she mean to do?
And time escaped. Seconds, minutes, hours I don't know. I walked at her tail. How does she know where to go? The dense population of ominous vegetation makes it even worse for tracking.
Our silence made it possible for me to perceive the drumming sound of rain, footsteps, susurrations. I thought I also heard my own heart beating. The darkness; as thick as it was before.
Again, why am I following her? Why do I want to?
" Excuse me!" I called out and she turned.
" Yes?" She looked at me again with that foreboding yet soothing gaze.
"I-" My voice was cut-off by a blaring roar. My muscles freezed and my shoulders jammed. I noticed the ground quaking and trees shattering with snaps. I spinned in circles to infer the direction of the disturbance with panic.
When I saw the nearest trunk of the tree blast away in the dim light, shadow of a 8 foot tall and five meters wide was revealed. Two small blue flames danced near each other where I suppose the creature's eyes were.
Trepidation and dread overpowered my senses. My conscience begged me to scram away but my body moved on it's own and shielded the woman. That thing would be able to easily wipe my existence with a swing of it's arm. I was not able to distinguish between the rain drops and my cold sweat.
" That thing looks troublesome." She said.
Troublesome? What the fuck was troublesome! It's death. The glutteral growls was sucking on my bones and my soul. I took the woman's hand in my hand, ready to run, when the creature dashed towards us with a dreadful cry.
I can do nothing more
It is a matter of time before the beast would trample over us or bite the half of us. The time I took to arrange my thought was enough for the beast to be a nail length away from us.