The Collection

"But why... why me!" She screamed as if it was her last words she would ever speak on this earth.

Then silence, finally silence from this menacing creature. Darkness surrounding her, with not even a glimmer of moonlight to remind her, she's not alone ...but she knew she was not alone.

With every step she took the trees got taller and taller, shadows dancing from side to side taunting her. The silence of the forest being more terrifying then the deep guttural groans and the blood curdling screams. This silence, this uneasy silence makes her wonder where are they, why aren't they here?

She starts to run, run for something...shelter maybe? "I could be running further into the forest, further into danger, further into the souls of the tormented. But at least I'm going somewhere, I'm not waiting for them to come for me again, not this time." She says aloud to herself.

Her heart starts to quicken as she hears the roar of an immense noise. She can't make out the noise, her mind swirls trying to pin point what it is. As she steps closer and closer to the noise she realises it's the roar of the fiercely powerful, bone shattering waves crashing against rocks, then gently lapping the beach. She gasps in relief, letting out a hot breath against the cold midnight air making a plume in front of her face. Dragging her exhausted body and soul towards the beach hoping that this is her saviour, she began to think over what happened. The voices everywhere the shadows, how it happened and most importantly why. Constantly questioning herself, "Why me? What have I done to deserve this?"

Now on the beach she stands as the cool and refreshing waves lap at her feet, she stares at the ocean looking for any sign of life. With what feels like hours later of just staring at the ocean and all hope nearly lost she sees a light in the distance, flickering on the water. "A boat, a ship! With people, with real living breathing people!" She screams from the top of her lungs.

With the shadows feeling like they are soon approaching her, she runs towards the ship into the deep dark ocean. Giving into the sea she lets the waves carry her towards the ship, to safety to freedom. "Finally free, finally, safe, finally free, finally safe." She repeats over and over again getting louder with each word.

She begins to feel a slimy sensation on her ankle, slowly making its way up to her knee. Seaweed twisting around her legs, she tries to release herself from the seaweed, but instead it grasped her around her hands and then moved further up her arm. Panicking she starts to struggle which only makes the grasp of the seaweed stronger and more fierce. She begins to scream for help, for the light of the ship is getting closer. The seaweed wrapping around her body more and more as she struggles and screams. Each time she screams she is engulfed by sea water, stinging and burning the back of her throat the waves drowning out what little of her voice was left.

Suddenly it all stops, the seaweed releases her from its capture, the light is now meters away from her as she floats almost lifeless on this ferocious ocean. She begins to feel a sense warmth rather then a stinging numbness from the cold. The light which was only meters in front of her disappears into thin air, her hopes of rescue are dashed for the time being. Shaken, scared and tormented from yet another dreadful experience she swims back to the beach.

Her clothes drenched and the overwhelming stench of seaweed she climbs from the waves and collapses on the beach. Rubbing her eyes from the salt water, she can make out a small white figure standing or rather floating in front of her. "Don't be scared your with us now (y/n)." The figure of light said softly. "With us?" You reply in a hesitant and shaken voice. "Yes with us, your body has been freed to the sea, but your soul has been taken with us." The figure says. Sitting in the sand in disbelief you think to yourself. "This is a dream, a dream this...this has all been a dream"

"Now you can help us." The figure says with a disturbing lilt in her voice. "Help you...with what may I ask?" You say hesitantly, playing along with the dream...well this nightmare more like it.

"With our collection" the small figure replies calmly.

"Your...your...your collection of what?" You add, beginning to think this is not a dream after all as the figure became more real by the seconds.

"Our collection of souls for "Him". The figure says sharply.

"Him, who is he, why do you need souls? I'm still using mine! What do you mean my...my body?" You say petrified.

"I'm tired of your questions" The figure says, beginning to turn around and float away from you.

"No...no wait I'm sorry, don't go! Please I beg of you help me." You say desperately.

"You can't be helped now (y/n)!" The figure says throwing her head back through laughter.

"But...but...but why not?" You reply.

"Oh, you don't know, do you?" The figure says as she chuckles with delight.

"Know what?" You say hesitantly.

"I, well, just killed you (y/n). Your dead and now "He" has your soul as part of his collection. I mentioned this before to you." The figure remarks.

"I am also part of his collection. A prized piece "he" says you know." The figure once again laughing as she explains the situation.

Sinking further into the sand, as the waves lap against the beach you begin to realise your fate.

"Your part of the collection now, there's no escaping it. You are a haunter now." The figure trenchant remark, taunts you forever, for now you are the haunter of other people like you. You now are the haunter who puts others to their death.

(Y/n) the haunter...