And then I almost drowned.
It all happened too quickly. I didn't even get time to think or process anything. My head was submerged in a river while my body laid on the shore. Immediately I got up chocking on the water filling my lungs. My head, and my lungs, were hurting badly. I still don't even remember why, but to me it felt like I was finally set free or some heavy burden was lifted off of me. Everything was so bright it hurt my eyes, and somehow that felt right. How long has it been since I saw light? What happened? Where am I? I had no memory of before or who I was, but I knew it was weird. What's happening to me right now? I'm a man, I have scars on my... really skinny, body, a little hungry and thirsty, no clothes, I have a short beard, and I have... a brother?
Where is he? I'm sure the last thing I remember, I was with my brother, Isaac? Or was it Oscar? Wait, did I have 2 brothers? I can't remember. My head hurts, but I need to find him or them. I got up and had a look around. What an unfamiliar setting. The sky was... foggy green? It looked like a massive cloud was covering it, I couldn't see the sun but there was light coming from it, almost like it was just a regular cloudy day... are clouds supposed to be green though? The light was enough to lit up the area and let me see my surroundings. I was in plains. Fields of yellow, and a few trees along the way covered the place. I looked back. River stretched far and wide, with fish, unfamiliar to me, swimming in it. And there. On the other side of it was a forest. Tall dark trees with grey leaves. I'm might be mistaken... but trees aren't supposed to have grey leaves, are they? Then from that forest, something began emerging.
It walked on two legs, human-like but longer, it was tall, skinny, and covered in thin, brown fur and the ribs stuck out, it also had really long arms. Most terrifying part of all, was it's human like head, wide eyes, and distorted teeth sticking out. I froze in place. I held on for while and it didn't seem to notice me. It got on one knee and grabbed a big fish with its bare hand, immediately biting on it. My chance, I began moving away from the river slowly. Despite how wide the river was, I could see it's shallowness. A beast that big would have no issues crossing. Slowly I began crawling backwards, keeping an eye on the beast. It was fine, kept to its fish and occasionally drank water. It could've kept that way, until I left or hid somewhere, but why, just why, did it have to look up and around. The second it saw me, it froze. Solid. Staring at me, with its wide eyes. I started changing my position. I crouched forward and turned a little. Slowly, I began moving more and more away from the river not to unsettle the beast, while also maintaining eye contact. It threw away the fish it was holding. Rose up. Dropped its jaw, and the fish remains spilled out. I'm not waiting around, at that point I began sprinting. As fast as I could with no energy and starving. Yet I paid that no attention, fear had me motivated enough. I heard water splashes crossing the river, and they were getting closer. I knew I couldn't look back. "Just keep running!" I told my body. I had a head start, but I doubt it was enough. Where would I run to? There was nothing but fields of yellow all around, and I'm not yellow enough myself to hide in it. Then I couldn't hear the water splash anymore. Just loud thuds. They kept growing louder and louder. I need to go faster. Think. Where to go? How far away must I go? Thud. Please just go away. I'm not worth it! Look at me! Wait, no don't.
We ran for while. I was getting exhausted. It has to be tired too though, right? At least it had some water and fish. I couldn't even spare any sweat, and my mouth was so dry, I couldn't unstick my tongue from its rooftop. I ran far enough though right? I mean it would count as me not going down easy. I ran quite quickly despite the fact that the thudding never wore off. Maybe I give up now. I'm barely running and can't even catch my breath. My arms are just flailing around. I don't have enough energy to keep them proper. Maybe if I lost them I could run faster? I could rip one out and throw the beast to distract it. Would it even bother? My arm is not much worth itself. Is this it for me? I'm just gonna be someone's prey. Food. But is there even more to me? Why am I running? What for? I don't even know who I am, I have no idea where I am, and neither what the thing chasing me is. Maybe I misjudged. Maybe it doesn't want to eat me. He just had fish right? So maybe he wants to share some with me. Just then, for a second, I turned my head around. It was mere meters away from me with its long arm out and its hand, with sharp nails, out trying to grab me. Somehow this gave me even more strength to run. I even sped up. No way was I about to die like this. I wouldn't give it such satisfaction. Work for it!
By now I ran about twice the distance from before. Even I'm confused, how was I able to go for so long. At least it wasn't without its payoff, the beast slowed down. Even just a little distance between us is enough. Funny though, it began making a sound, other than thudding. It began giving loud cries. Like it was begging me to stop. The sound reminded me of a bear. Maybe it's a mutant of a bear, chasing after me. I wish I could reply to it, but my throat is so dry that I fear it might bleed if I try to speak.
I stopped measuring the distance. By this point, I started to lose thinking. All I heard were the beast's cries, thuds, and breathing. All I saw were the greens and trees. My body might give out soon. I feel like I'm at my limit. Luckily to my despairing predicament, I saw something in the distance. Some structure made of stone bricks. A building! People perhaps! If only I could shout to them. I could yell "Help! Help me!". And they would get their weapons and kill the beast. He is surely tired by now right? How could he keep up for so long. Was I worth the trouble, huh? I saw it grow bigger and bigger. The structure was some small sized tower, at best 3 floors tall including the rooftop. It was overgrown with plants and looked ancient, but what mattered the most was that I saw a small door. Well normal sized for me, but small for the beast. I redirected myself towards it. And when I got closer and closer, I ejected myself at it. Only midway through the air did I get a worrying thought 'What if the door is not open?' .Then that would be the end of that. Surely I was quick to find out.
The door was indeed locked, but it seems to have been aged up as well because the moment I threw myself at it it broke off. I was inside. The tower was filled with dust. Windows closed, except for one on the opposite end. That wasn't what I needed to worry about now. I looked back and saw the beast trying to reach for me. I quickly snatch crawl back, seconds away from being caught. After it extend its arm as far as it could. It just stood there. Crying and trying to reach me in desperation. I'm not worth all this trouble. We ran for hours and yet you still persist. Go back to your fish. You can't get me here. It stopped. Pulled out its arm slowly. The beast started walking away. 'It gave up' I thought. I can rest. I needed to see where I was. I went to the opposite window, and slowly peeked out. I didn't realize this before, but the plains ended off here. I was on the verge of a cliff. Half of the tower didn't have a ground below it. Perhaps it was standing on some wooden supports. But why? That's stupid. At the bottom of the cliff was a big lake, from my angle it gave off a turquoise colour. It was beautiful. I could finally see something more than just the yellow plains. I saw more forests with unusual
colour's, some purple, some black. This all felt unfamiliar. Unknown and... terrifying. Its a bit depressing. However, I shouldn't focus on that.
Once I rest, I need to go find my brother, or brothers. If I got into such a predicament, surely so did they. My heart was still beating fast. It was in agony at this point, but I wouldn't blame it. I ran a lot. Probably more than ever in my life. I need a rest. Just lie down. Just rest up. But before I could. I heard the loud thuds again. It made my hair stand. It got closer. And closer. What is it trying to do now? I tried peeking through the doorframe from a safe distance. I saw the beast, charging at the tower. Again? Why? I was on the verge of tears, but I don't think I could spare any. The beast was rushing in. Charging fast. What is it trying to do? In the next instant it crashes into the wall of the tower. I jump back. The ceiling began crumbling. The beast still pursued, pushing itself forward slowly through the rubble. I was lost. I have no idea what to do! Jump out the window? That's insane. The fall is far to great, and will I even survive? Everything was crumbling and reaching closer and closer in. I guess this is over. I guess this is the end. I have to commend the beast though. To go this far just to pursue me to such lengths. Maybe he deserves it. Sad, but I still wished I could've lived. I hope my brother, or brothers are safe. I don't want to die.
As the beast drew closer I dropped down. I could see bricks fall one by one. I could see its arms pushing the beast forward. As it was meters away from me. I began feeling some distortion. Like a sensation that I was falling. Maybe some near death experience? I wouldn't know. No, hold on! The bricks started sliding towards me. IS THE TOWER FALLING? The beast's head, finally visible, now slides forward and I jump to the left side to get away from it. Its head hits the wall. I could feel the instant the supports finally snapped and we started plunging down into the lake. To get away from the beast, I began climbing up to the side of the wall that crumbled. I was using the moss and gaps in the flooring to climb and was able to reach the other end. So why. Why did after everything that happened, and is happening, did the beast decide to turn around and try to grab me, again. In that instant, I did the only thing I could, I pushed myself against the edge of the crumbling tower. In the brief moment I was in the air, the structure hit the water and I followed right after.
In the water, I heard a muffled crack. I opened my eyes and saw that the beast stopped moving. Finally. I got rid of it. A sense of relief finally rushed in, but I couldn't stay here any longer. I need to get to the shore. I began swimming towards the shore and up, however it seems that I've pushed my body too far as I couldn't feel my legs anymore. I tried moving them, but they wouldn't budge. I had to continue with my bare hands. Just a bit more. Just a little longer. Hold on. Please. I begged my body to just keep moving. The shore was mere meters away from me. I felt it, the sands up against my body. I just got to the shore. I turn to lay on my back, and finally catch my breath. Everything hurt so badly. I couldn't move at all. If something was to come after me now I won't be able to run away again. I did it though. I'll rest up for a few minutes and... maybe... I'll... go... look... for... "bro...ther...s". My eyes closed and I passed out.