In the heart of the Whispering Woods, the night was darker than usual. The moon hung high, a pale shadow of itself, casting fragmented light that barely touched the forest floor. A thick canopy covered the sky, woven from branches and leaves that seemed to whisper secrets to one another. Each rustle in the underbrush was swallowed by the deep silence that surrounded the trees, creating a cocoon of stillness. It felt as though the forest was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.
The moon peeked through the tall trees, casting streams of light on the forest floor. A young boy, around ten-years old, woke up on the soft grass. His heart raced as he took in his surroundings. He was in a clearing, very far from the noise of the city. The trees stood tall and silent, their leaves whispering secrets he could not hear.
He pushed himself up, wincing as he felt pain shoot through his body. Bruises covered his arms and legs like dark patches on a canvas. He couldn't remember how he got there or even who he was. Confusion clouded his mind. Looking around, the forest seemed familiar but alien at the same time, like a dream he couldn't quite grasp.
His eyes were drawn to a small lake just a few feet away. The water shimmered in the moon light, reflecting the clear dark blue sky. He stood up shakily and made his way over, hoping that a glimpse of his own reflection would bring back forgotten memories. As he leaned over the water, he stared at his face. Dark hair fell over his forehead, and his eyes, silver in colour, looked haunted, filled with questions. But staring back at him was a stranger. No name, no memories, just an empty look of bewilderment.
Suddenly, he heard a rustling noise behind him. He turned around quickly but met only silence. The forest was alive with sounds, but they felt distant. The boy's heart raced again. Seeking answers, he called out. "Hello? Is anyone there? " His voice echoed back softly, swallowed by the trees.
Feeling a mix of curiosity and fear, he scanned the area for a path. Then, a dirt road came into view, partially hidden by dense bushes. The path appeared old but well-traveled, as if others had walked it before. He decided to follow it, hoping to find someone who could help him.
"This... place is.. familiar, it's like I have walked here countless times before"He whispered to himself, having second thoughts about leaving the place he woke up in.
The forest was silent, the air thick with the scent of pine and damp earth. Tall trees stretched up towards the sky, their leaves whispering softly in a gentle breeze. As the moon casted long shadows, a nameless boy walked without any clear direction. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his heart raced not just from the exertion but from a sense of urgency he couldn't quite explain.
Bruises covered his arms and legs. They were the marks of escape of some sort.
What even happened? I can't... remember it
They were reminders of the frantic moments he hadn't quite left behind. Even if he had no memories, his body would remind him of it. Each step sent a surge of pain through his body, yet he pressed on, determined to move forward. Once, he allowed himself to cry, the tears falling silently onto the soft ground. But he quickly wiped them away, refusing to succumb to despair.
As the hours passed, the boy pushed deeper into the forest, glancing around at the towering trees. They felt both welcoming and foreboding, like silent guardians of secrets he couldn't quite grasp. Shadows flickered and danced around him, teasing his tired mind. He felt lost, not just in the woods, but within himself.
This place isn't the best place to rest... but I don't have a choice. He thought
Finally, as weariness pulled at him like a heavy blanket. With a deep sigh, he stumbled to a large tree whose gnarled roots formed a natural seat. He leaned back against the trunk, closing his eyes for a moment, allowing the rough bark to press against him, grounding him in reality. Resting there, he wondered what had brought him to this moment.
"I wonder, if someone, anyone will find me out here. Dead or alive?"he questioned, of course no answer was given, only silence.
Taking that as a sign, he slowly closed his eyes, drifting off into his dreams.
The forest seemed pleased by this, the cold air that the boy has felt since waking up hours ago,slowly started getting warmer, as sounds could be heard far off, from where the boy was resting.
After Taking in the surroundings. the boy rested, the forest buzzed with life, as the Morning Sun raised. Birds chirped happily, and small animals scuttled about, gathering food or playing. Sparrows flitted from branch to branch while squirrels darted through the underbrush. But suddenly, the peaceful sounds of the forest transformed into a flurry of movement. The little creatures felt something approaching, something wrong. They fled in all directions, sensing the danger before the boy did.
When the boy finally stirred from his nap, he noticed the unusual silence. The chirping of birds had stopped, and the gentle rustling of leaves had faded. He opened his eyes, as he sat up, confused. It took him a moment to realize something was off. A chill spread through the air, and he felt a keen awareness of being watched. His eyes searched the quiet forest, and that's when he saw it.
What the—
Emerging from the shadows was a creature that made the boy's heart race. It looked like a young wolf, but its face was horrifying—scarred and twisted, as if it had once been burned alive. The creature had dark, matted fur and sharp horns protruding from its shoulders. Its eyes glowed with an eerie intensity, a mix of hunger and curiosity. The boy's breath quickened, and panic gripped him.
He stood up abruptly igroning the pain in his body, every muscle in his body tensing. He turned to run, not looking back, instinctively feeling that he had to escape. The creature remained still for a moment, studying the boy. Then, it moved, trailing behind him in eerie silence. The forest seemed to fade away as he sprinted through the trees, branches snapping as he pushed through the underbrush.
Thoughts raced through the boy's mind. What was that thing? Why was it following him?
He dashed deeper into the forest, the sound of his heart pounding drowning out everything else. He stumbled over roots and skipped over fallen logs, desperate to find safety.
The sound of footsteps followed him, light yet persistent. He could not look back; he needed to focus on escaping. Just as he thought he might have lost it, he entered a small clearing. The sun broke through the trees here, warming the ground. The boy paused for a moment, panting heavily, and peered over his shoulder.
To his dread, the creature stood at the edge of the clearing, observing him with a peculiar interest. There was something unnerving yet fascinating about its gaze. Despite the terror coursing through him, something in the beast's eyes sparked a flicker of curiosity in the boy's mind. He held his breath, suddenly aware that running away might not be the only option.
The creature stepped forward, and he mustered the courage to stay still, his heart racing hard. "What do you want? " he managed to ask, his voice trembling. The creature tilted its head, like a dog trying to understand its owner. It didn't growl or snarl, instead, it appeared curious—not threatening.
The air was thick with tension, but he felt an unexpected connection with the creature. He noticed the way it limped slightly, as if it was in pain. A sudden wave of bravery washed over him, mingling with the sheer adrenaline. He took a tentative step closer, driven by a mix of fear and empathy.
"Are you hurt? " he questioned softly, mindful of the creature's powerful aura. It blinked slowly, the glow in its eyes dimming slightly. The atmosphere shifted, and the creature let out a low whine, unlike anything he had heard before.
I don't remember hearing much, but this was a first...
Tension began to dissolve as he took another step forward. He reached out his hand cautiously, not wanting to provoke it. "Let me help you," he said, his heart pounding not only from fear but from an odd sense of hope.