I had been running from it for over an hour before I arrived at the safety of the forest, but I didn't stop running for another twenty minutes, just to be safe.
Slowing my pace to a steady but swift gait, I began to survey my surroundings.
The red bark of the trees swirled into large, spiral patterns. The naked branches curled into grotesque, finger-like appendages that looked as if they would clutch anything that got close enough. It gave the silent, lifeless forest a macabre atmosphere and aesthetic.
The ground beneath my bare feet was mulchy. Rotted leaves and bark littered the forest floor in its entirety. It had recently rained, so the soil was moist, sticking to the soles of my feet, getting between my toes and under my nails. Small and large rocks dotted the earth and were almost unnaturally smooth. The rocks were mostly the same four shades of dull gray, wet with precipitation and shining in the cloudy, gray, early morning light of the sky.
The air and soil were cold, giving me what would have been an uncomfortable chill had I not been running seconds prior.
The smell of moist soil and rain filled my nose as I took quick, heavy breaths, my mind racing.
What was that thing? How did it know my name? What did it want?
It’s monstrous, sibilant voice echoed in my head, dripping with malice.
Lost in my thoughts and distracted by thirst, I almost didn’t notice a bisecting path up ahead that created an obtuse “V”. To my left, a small, untouched asphalt road, jet-black. To my right, a flat, brown dirt trail.
Both paths seemed to be created with intent, though for what, I didn’t know. That made me skeptical. Neither path seemed like a good choice. What if it was a trap created by that thing? I couldn’t let it lure me in. I knew what it could do, and I wouldn’t let it take me.
I decided to continue forward through the soil, choosing neither path.
I travel for several more minutes and I begin to feel the effects of the cold air as my heart rate slows. The beads of sweat on my face make the temperature feel even lower as a mild breeze hits me.
I shiver and rub my hands together to create friction, then slap them on my wet, ice-cold cheeks for warmth. Distracted by the momentary comfort, I trip on something, falling to the ground.
Looking back to investigate, I noticed a wooden cup half buried in the soil. It was the same shade of red as the dead trees around me.
Forming my hands into makeshift spades, I began to dig at the soil around the cup to unearth it. It was quite a modest size, easily fitting in one hand.
Upon further inspection of the cup, I notice words carved into its side in sharp letters:
"capture the fluid beast"
Strange, but it would be useful if I came across some clean water. I really needed some.
I continued walking further, for what felt like hours, eventually seeing a large, murky body of water in the distance. I quicken my pace, my dry throat being my sole motivator.
As I approach, I see the water begin to shift and swirl, then it starts to rise and form into the shape of a menacing insectoid creature.
Fear paralyzes me, but then I remember the cup.
“capture the fluid beast”
I raise the cup and point it at the creature, open end facing it. I feel the cup start to vibrate and I hear the sound of howling wind. The air in front of me turns into a strong current that begins to funnel into the cup. Large volumes of water separate from the creature, and get sucked in.
The creature tries to resist, to pull away, but to no avail, until it is finally gone.
I feel the indentation of the engraved letters shift. Taking another look, it reads:
“drink”
I examine the inside of the cup. The water is clear. I didn’t know if it was safe to drink and I didn’t care. I was too thirsty. I take large, quick gulps until I couldn’t anymore.
To my surprise, the cup was still completely full, as if I had never even taken a sip.
I hear a rustling behind me and whip around to see a large, red bear. It’s fur was surprisingly dry and it wore a forest-green scarf around its neck.
It opened its mouth and spoke, “You have defeated the beast. You are the chosen one.”
The voice was female and it had a mystic quality to it.
“I was just thirsty,” I replied.
“For defeating the beast, I am forever in your debt. If there is anything you require. Do not hesitate to ask,” the bear answered.
I looked behind me, and pointed, “Do you think you could help me get across?”
The bear dipped her head in a nod and then sauntered up to the edge of the water beside me. She opened her mouth and exhaled, her breath a visible, wisping cloud. As the cloud made contact with the water, it froze a small area around it. The area of ice began to quickly expand until the entire body of water was frozen.
“Climb onto my back,” the bear said.
I did, sitting astride the bear’s large body. Her fur was warm and comforting.
We walked in silence across the ice until we were on the other side, then I climbed off the bear.
“Take my scarf,” the bear said, “it will keep you warm.”
I untied it and wrapped it around my body. The scarf shifted and hugged by body, forming into a cloak. It was warm, like being next to a fire.
“Thank you,” I replied, then turned and headed into the trees.
Hours later, I reach the end of my journey.
A gray, stone wall too tall to climb, stretching endlessly to the left and right. Standing between me and the wall was the thing that had been chasing me.
“Thisss isss the end of the line,” it said.
I begin to pour the cup out and a torrent of water shoots violently onto the ground, forming into the beast again. I feel like I am one with the beast, able to control it’s every move, after having consumed it.
I battle with my pursuer, hitting, stabbing, pinching, and grabbing. The battle shakes the earth beneath us, continuing for a long time, until there is a victor.
I think I tried way too hard. I have no Idea what this says about me. I think it just means I like to telling stories. Feel free to tell me what you think it means.