The Darkest Forest

Chapter 1 : The Dead Of Night

     It was cold..... The fire had gone out at some point earlier in the night. Selene turned onto her back letting the cold wind fully hit her face. She could hear soft snoring from the other side of the now cold fire, she tilted her head slowly so the crunch of the leaves didn't wake them up. 

     There was Ace, the one who bravely wanted to come on this adventure knowing they may not return. He was brave she could give him that, but it was incredibly dangerous that he came along. Selene sighed and put her hands behind her head, staring up at the moon, she could tell it was about 4am by the position of the moon. 

     Ace groaned and slowly sat up, Selene looked at him "Morning sleepy head, late start huh?" Selena muttered jumping up from her sleeping bag. She quickly packed all of her items and got the fire going again. By the time she had breakfast cooked Ace was fully awake and had packed his things. She handed him a small wooden bowl they had purchased the day before at a market, and began eating her self. When they finished feasting on the low quality breakfast, they threw the bowls into their packs and was on their way to their next destination. 

     Selene counted their steps, they were on 100,248 

    "Sel, are you sure this way is safe?" Ace asked as he jogged to catch up with her, there was strange noises all around them, from distant footsteps to whispering in their ears. But none of it was real as that is what the forest did, it played tricks on you. It made you think you were alone, even in a group of two or more. Selene looked over her shoulder making sure that Ace was still in seeing distance from her. 

     As Selene looked straight ahead of her, she could see nothing but forest for miles, with layers of fog rolling in, and the shadows of large animals who didn't seem real. She shook her head and kept moving, it has been hours since the last time Ace has spoke, she quickly glanced over her shoulder to make sure that he was still there. 

     500,655

     Then it was to quite, no footsteps behind her, and she no longer saw the shadow animals. "Ace?" She called out, no response. She turned on her heel to look behind her and there was nothing there. "Ace!" She called again in hopes of a response, when she didn't receive one she could feel her hear starting beating faster. 

     "This isn't funny Ace, get out here now!" She yelled out, her hand resting on the knife in her pocket. Selene still turning in circles looking for  him suddenly froze when a voice spoke up. "He thinks it hilarious" A voice mumbled in her ear and she jerked away turning around to face the source of the  voice. It was a human with bight red eyes, and long black hair.

     500,690

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Published February 10 2021

Edited July 17 2021