4. Everly
Everly
Chapter four
It doesn’t take me long to find the small stream, its shimmering surface visible even from a distance. I’ve walked maybe eight minutes from the tree, so I should be able to find my way back easily enough. Taking my pack off, I drop it to the ground, before sinking to my knees at the water’s edge. The water looks so damn inviting, the surface glimmers where the sun hits it through the trees. I cup my hands, grabbing a handful of water and splash some on my face, rubbing all the sweat and dirt away. My next handful goes to my mouth, and I slowly sip at the cool water. As I drink, I can feel a cool, soothing sensation that helps to alleviate my headache. When I’m done, I turn and drag my pack closer, grabbing my water bottle so I can fill it up.
Submerging the bottle in the stream, I watch the bubbles rise to the surface, and wait for it to fill. Casting a quick glance around, I’m captivated by the vibrant sights that surround me. The small stream, about eight feet wide, flows lazily, its gentle current gliding over smooth rocks. The air is filled with the soothing sound of trickling water, complemented by the faint rustle of leaves in the breeze. A delightful aroma of damp earth and fresh foliage fills my nostrils. The entire area is alive with color, from the bark of the trees to the mossy ground below. Every detail of this place seems to glow with beauty. Vibrant flowers, delicate ferns, and intricate designs of trees and vines create an enchanting array of beauty.
Sensing a slight disturbance in the air, I look to my left and freeze. A slight jolt runs through me like an electric shock. My mouth parts. There, standing a few meters away, is a fox. Not a regular fox, this one is cobalt blue with strange white markings on its head. The tips of its pointed ears are pure white and so is the tip of its bushy tail. Its intelligent silver eyes glow with deep curiosity as it watches me. The cool water laps around my hand, as if trying to draw my attention away. The fox tilts its head down to look at the stream, as if it were considering something.
With my eyes focused on the fox, I make a conscious effort to stay perfectly motionless. I’m completely in awe of this creature. Excitement bubbles up; I’ve never seen a fox before, let alone one that looks like this. It is absolutely magnificent.
I remain perfectly still, unsure of what I should do, but also wanting this moment to last a bit longer. The fox flicks its bushy tail once before turning and bounding into the trees without making a sound.
I release a deep breath and carefully remove my hand from the cold water, sealing the lid of my water bottle with a click. I go to turn away when something in the water catches my attention. Frowning, I lean in closer to the surface of the stream. My heart skips a beat as a shock of awareness makes my stomach lurch suddenly. It’s almost as if I’m looking at a face, but logically I know that isn’t the case. The water isn’t deep enough for someone to be hiding beneath the surface, but it isn’t my reflection either.
I roll my eyes, and shake my head in frustration as I lean back on my haunches. “I’m going mad. Obviously dehydrated,” I mutter.
Standing, I brush the dirt off my knees, and pick up my pack. I should probably get back just in case Nix shows up. Which hopefully will be before nightfall. I have no desire to spend another night out here alone.
I trudge back the way I came, stopping to admire some of the flowers along the way. I catch sight of some wildlife; normal looking deer, birds, and what look to be rabbits, but are a light shade of purple.
I am awestruck by the size of the trees, their branches stretching high above me to create a breathtaking canopy. As I tip my head back to admire them, I notice the leaves on the trees are a kaleidoscope of various shades of green, and the trunks twist and twirl as they reach up to the sky. We don’t have trees like this back at home.
When I reach the tree that Nix left me in, I lower myself onto the cushiony soft grass, and lean back against the tree and wait. I had no desire to climb into the hollow just yet. My stomach rumbles loudly, reminding me that I haven’t eaten in a while. I’m actually not sure how much time has passed since Nix left or how long I’ve been here. Rummaging through my pack, I find three granola bars and a red apple. I devour the apple immediately, but decide to wait a while before eating the granola bars, just to be safe. I might be here longer than I expected.
My headache has eased, and I’m feeling somewhat better. I tilt my head back, feeling the rough bark of the tree snagging on my hair as I rest it against the trunk. Suddenly, all the air escapes from my lungs as I release a blood-curdling scream.
The piercing sound echoes through the air, sending birds flying from nearby trees. My heart pounds in my chest as I leap up, adrenaline coursing through my veins, my flight response kicking into high gear. I spin around, eyes wide with fear. I can’t recall ever moving with such urgency before.
What on earth was that creature?
About halfway up the tree trunk, there is a man gripping the tree with bulging, milky gray eyes and sunken cheeks. He’s hanging upside down, his threadbare clothes barely concealing his skin, which has taken on a grayish hue. The sound of his long fingernails scraping against the bark fills the air, making goosebumps spread over my exposed skin. With slow blinks and a peculiar tilt of its head, the man slowly descends the tree, creating an eerie and unsettling sight.
I swallow roughly over the lump in my throat, as I slowly back away from the tree. Every step I take seems like an eternity, my heart racing and my palms sweating. My instinct is to escape, but I can’t break my stare from the creature watching me, its head tilted at an unnatural angle.
When it reaches the ground, it remains on its hands and feet, its neck twisting to keep track of me. Adrenaline and dread shoots through me, sending my pulse racing, and I know I’m in danger. Without a second thought, I turn and run.
My feet pound the dirt as I run as fast as I can, back toward the stream. From behind me, I hear a loud screech echo off the trees, and the birds fall silent around me. The sound of the whatever-it-is crashing through the forest behind me—its bellows of outrage—makes the hairs on my neck stand on end.
Shit, shit, shit.
What should I do?
Suddenly, the image of the tree pops into my mind; its safe, dark cavern. I know that if I try to loop around, I risk getting lost and potentially being caught by that thing. I let out a shrill scream and cover my head as an object forcefully collides with the tree beside me, sending shards of bark flying in all directions.
I don’t waste time looking behind, instead, I quicken my pace, veering to the left. My eyes are drawn to the stream up ahead, and I aim for it. I can’t put it into words, but an unexplainable urge tugs at me, drawing me toward it. The stream comes into full view, and I can’t ignore the captivating sight of the water, adorned with glistening ripples that seem to sparkle under the sun. However, I don’t allow it to distract me. Without a moment’s pause, I draw in a deep breath, and with a burst of adrenaline, I propel myself into the air. I gracefully land on the other side of the stream, feeling a rush of satisfaction. Another screech echoes through the air, sending a rush of pinpricks all over my body. I can hear the creature gaining on me. The wind rushes past me as I continue running. I don’t peek back when a shrill wail pierces the air, followed by the unsettling sounds of someone choking and thrashing in the water.
Despite the heavy ache in my chest, I push myself to keep running. Only when I reach my limit do I finally slow down, collapsing onto my hands and knees in a clearing of tall grass. Overwhelmed by exhaustion, I crumple to the ground, my heart beating painfully in the confines of my chest. Rolling to my back, I gaze up at the sky, my skin slick with sweat. The sky is clear, and the clouds drift lazily overhead, as I lie here trying to catch my breath.
Everything hurts.
“Argh!” I yell, my cries ringing out in the open air.
Gasping for air, I can feel the heat of my tears streaming down my face. The rise and fall of my chest match the rhythm of my breath as I gulp in lungfuls of the crisp, cool air, my fingers finding solace in the soil beneath me. Despite my fatigue, I try my best to focus, but my mind struggles to bring my scattered thoughts together.
Hidden in the tall grass I wait for my heart rate to return to normal and for the feeling of sickness and light-headedness to subside. Gradually, I rise, feeling the stiffness in my body, and take in the sights and sounds of my surroundings. I don’t know how long I have been here staring up at the sky, but now the sun is setting. I can see I don’t have long left before the last of the sun is below the horizon, and I do not know where I am or what to do now. Without any resources, I am left defenseless; no food, no water, and no means of protection.
Nix will never find me, and there is no way I am going back to that tree now. What am I going to do?
I am totally screwed.
I watch the sun sink beneath the horizon, a chill running down my spine, and hear the distant call of an animal.