A slight tinge of orange appeared in the darkening blue sky. Trees swayed as I trudged along the steep incline.
I regret not bringing water, my mouth felt dry. My breathing laboured.
My shirt clung to my skin, damp with sweat. Thankfully, there was a slight breeze, its chilled touch woke me up. The heat however fought to put me to sleep. To give up. How easy would that be.
The dirt path seemed endless, My thighs ached, but they pressed on. Eventually I could see the flickering lights of town in the distance. I was almost there. I was almost home.
Home being a remote village docked next to a beach, surrounded by hills and mountains that separated it from the outside world.
My hair kept getting in my way, almost tripping over a rock due to how long it was—if only getting a trim weren't such a hassle— I used my hands to balance my body, as the path only seemed to get steeper. My feet finding footholds, marking each laboured step up the hill.
Weird—Isn't this too steep?
I could see the end in sight however, just a bit more. It's not my first time. I've got this.
My arms ached as I pulled myself to relatively flat ground. I lay on the floor for a second, panting In the heat like a dehydrated dog. I miss water—I miss coke. Pepsi. Anything.
Finally, I got up and surveyed The path onward. It continued, surrounded by a dense forest.
My gut lurched, This place felt—wrong.
I took a deep breath. You always take this road, you're fine. I took a step and stumbled into the forest; my goal clear. Let's just get home already.
The trees swayed with the melody of nearby cicadas. The rustling of nearby wildlife kept me alert. The feeling in my gut made me uneasy.
I gripped my hoodie that was wrapped around my waist. It was too hot to wear it, but its presence had always provided me with comfort. A slight safety I didn't get anywhere else—someone gave it to me—who?
I shook my head, that could wait. They were waiting for me, although a pressure in my brain made it difficult to find out who 'they' were.
With a blink, something had changed—I could tell—what was it?
Well…my legs seemed lighter than before—and a subtle sound came from my right, like a jammed-up radio?
I craned my head to look at the source, my neck protesting at the act.
A silhouette, It stood slightly shorter than me, reaching around my shoulders. Its form changed every few seconds.
One moment it was a girl, the next it resembled a guy. Whatever it changed into, its movements stayed fluid, talking to me with the same high-pitched distortion it had since I met it.
"Who are you?" I couldn't help but blurt, my voice coming out dry.
It didn't stop talking, maybe it didn't understand my question?
"Helloooo, do you understand me?"
It continued, its voice seemed to get louder and—more enthusiastic?
I leaned in, hoping to make out any of the morse-code speech being blasted at me. However, It didn't respond to me getting in its face. If it had eyes, it probably would be looking past me. I couldn't help myself from following its 'potential' gaze.
Nope, no other silhouette hiding in any bushes. Maybe it's a schizophrenic? Maybe I'm a schizophrenic? Again, I shook away that thought.
I mean, sure seeing distorted shadow people isn't normal, but it doesn't mean I have a mental health illness. At least every doctor I've visited says I'm healthy—then they give me an apple. Probably trying to get rid of me.
Gazing at the bushes again, the feeling in my gut deepened. Constipation, a hiker's worst nightmare.
I let out a dry chuckle, This heat must be getting to me; the silhouette seemed to be laughing at my side, Its form skipping around me. A child? Maybe it had found my joke funny. Then again, I didn't say anything.
Time passed as I kept on walking through this forest, I could swear—was I walking in circles?
The heat and constant babbling from the thing next to me made it difficult to think. A dull pulse echoing in my ears.
I should take a break, stop for a bit.
I searched for a place suitable to rest, The place looked so familiar...
After a while of searching, I finally found a good place. Surrounded by shade and close enough to a clearing that I could see home. Perfect.
I had intended to stop and sit down. But by the time I got close enough, my breath hitched.
I couldn't stop.
No matter how much I tried—My legs wouldn't listen—they kept marching forward at their own pace.
Its as if they moved on autopilot—hate running out of batteries mid-game.
Again, a chuckle morphing into a cackle.
My vision zoomed out, and sound itself transformed into a deathly ringing.
My gut lurched with unease.
The feeling spread. My chest.
Move.
Stop.
Anything. MOVE.
I flailed about, fighting with every movable body part I had left to gain control. That being everything above my waist.
I pounded, I twisted, and I screamed.
Still—my legs ignored me.
Eventually I forced a deep breath. I need to get my bearings. Control what I can.
Breathe in…An inhale. The surroundings got louder, Cicadas sung, trees swayed, Radio chattered.
Breathe out… An exhale. Everything dulled, Cicadas faded, trees stilled, Radio quietened.
After whom knows how long, I inhale. Another breath.
Cicadas—replaced by birdsong? The wind sung, and radio chattered. Although further away this time.
The Silhouette was ahead, kneeling next to some nearby flowers. A rose. How nostalgic.
My legs didn't stop, passing by the figure as it ripped the rose from its nesting place.
Gazing at the distance, another glimpse of home. The chimneys emitted smoke, way more than normal. That isn't natural...
I wanted to run, sprint, get home as soon as possible, rest in my bed. My legs wouldn't change pace though, they were shaking and at times my knees would fail me.
I don't know how long had passed. The sky darkened, and the birdsong quieted awhile ago.
I learnt to tune the figure out, background static. Normally I would use that to sleep. Or music. I should have charged my phone this morning—This walk normally doesn't take as long.
Everything seems familiar. But I'm certain of it now; We are going in circles.
Which is just fantastic! Try not to think about the fact you're walking in a loop, in an endless forest. And that you can't control your legs. And we are golden.
It was kind of impressive watching them soldier through though. They hadn't stopped once.
--
Everything—hazy~
My vision turned white.
Forest noise—gone.
Not even the pounding in my head made a sound.
Only feeling.
The village?
Swallowed. Grey smog—thickened with every loop.
The Silhouette— I could still see it.
My hoodie, I felt. Clinging to me. Smells of coffee.
Should I be glad? Or disappointed?
Time passed.
Trees gone. Wind traced skin. Silhouette never stopped.
Just, stop.
Grey smog, closer.
Huh?
In front. Giant.
You crazy.
Dying.
Don't want to die.
Where going?
Radio. Too loud.
"Wake—"
Silhouette. Stopped?
"Wake up!"
White, leave.
you survived?
You free?
No—not yet.
Cavemen. We are.
No, you idiot.
Should've charged phone.
I could somewhat think… What?
The fog creeped closer.
The silhouette, stood in front of me?
Since when had I stopped?
It cupped my face. Soft. Nostalgic.
I looked up.
Eyes.
Blue. Gentle.
My heart throbbed—a beat. Familiar, but distant.
Then I blinked. Gone.
Swallowed.
The rose fell softly.
The fog reached me.
Grabbing my feet, They went numb.
Climbing my thighs. Reaching my stomach, I felt nausea—Hunger.
No…
Caressed my throat. It constricted, it felt dry. I couldn't scream.
Get away. GET AWAY—my chin, my lips, my nose. Numbness.
Please
Everything blurred.
Fog clouded my vision. My eyes heavy.
Can't close.
Don't close.
Look—past the smog, those eyes.
Blue. Soft. Distant.
Then nothing.
Void.
Fuck…
Time.
Then blinding light.
And breathing. Mine.