The creature stops striking the barrier and begins pacing in front of the entrance. I can see a bit better now and can make out the mist puffing from its mouth as it paces back and forth, a low grumble coming from its direction every now and again. It is really pissed off that it can't reach me, but a sense of relief sweeps through me, knowing it can’t enter.
With my back firmly pressed against the wall of the hallow tree, I hug my backpack to my chest, never taking my eyes off the entrance of the tree, and the darkness beyond it.
I groan, feeling stiff and achy, my head begins to pound with an oncoming headache. I have been staring intently for hours while my head keeps bobbing and my eyelids droop from exhaustion. The creature gradually retreated to the trees a while ago.I can't sense it anymore. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and roll my neck slowly from side to side.
Just as I’m about to drift into sleep, I abruptly wake up, startled by the sensation of tipping over. The harsh impact of my head against the rough bark of the tree fills the air with a resounding thud. Frustration seeps through me as I grumble, my palms pressing against the ground as I return to a seated position.
“Crap,” I mutter.
I stare out through the opening of the tree and gasp at the magnificent view. Sunlight has begun streaming through the canopy of trees, lighting the world beyond my hiding spot in a blanket of warmth.
Vibrant, colorful wildflowers cover the forest floor, creating a calming environment, different from the one of the night before.
Were they there yesterday? I don’t think so.
The peaceful sound of the birds chirping fills the air, and I pause to take it in. My lips curl into a smile as I listen, my eyelids falling closed. That’s when I hear another noise. A noise that has a rush of anticipation pulsing through me.
Was that . . . a stream?
But Nix said there wasn’t one nearby.
I listen closely, and I’m one hundred percent sure it’s a stream or creek. I can hear the tranquil sound of water trickling and gurgling with ease now. Excitement fills me and I jump to my feet, swiping up my pack, and making my way to the entrance. Glancing around, I see no signs of danger and the coast appears to be clear. Not to mention the forest is alive with birds and insects, which usually means there are no predators close by.
Shaking my hands out, I try to steady my nerves, but still, the buzzing in my stomach intensifies. I draw in a lung full of freshair before stepping out into the open and releasing it slowly. I wait a heartbeat and when nothing comes charging out of the trees or bushes, my shoulders slump in relief. Swiping my sweaty palms on my jeans, a new sense of purpose fills me as my thirst returns with a vengeance.
“Okay, Everly, pull your shit together and get yourself some bloody water.”
Chapterfour
Everly
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 currentgliding 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 lurchsuddenly. 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 myhair 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?
