Into the Marshes

The cold morning dew cools the environment where Alex was left unconscious, lying onto the wetlands of the marshland. The water vapor brimmed and droplets were dripping onto Alex’s face causing him to wake up.

“What happened?” he whispered to himself, opening his eyes slowly. But what he saw was not the horrifying scene he witnessed as his classmates turned purple inhaling the toxic gas that was released, while they were locked inside their own classroom but a vast marshland brimming with life. The sweet breeze kissed Alex’s skin and continues to crawl towards the different parts of his body, making him feel refreshed for he was denied of chance when he was still living in the world. Birds and insects of different species overwhelmed the marshlands making it livelier and peaceful. With their sound serves as a soothing instrument that plays wonderful music. Alex closed his eyes, tasting the kind of freedom and change he wanted to have since he gained his own consciousness.

“I wish you were all here with me, everyone.” Alex whispered to himself, longing for his friends’ presence. He couldn’t help himself but to cry. His eyes became heavy and tears started to pour down, showing his loneliness into the majestic marshland.

Slowly, Alex tried to stand up and decided to explore the considered haven. He looked at himself, his white polo has now become the dirtiest white that he could ever see. The wet lands of this place has put his uniform in such state. Not that he’s angry about it. Alex continued to wander around the land. As he continues to wander, he still couldn’t stop being amazed of the beautiful place that he’s now in. Barefoot, Alex ran happily around the vast marshland’s wet soil. His feet were covered in mud but his heart was filled with joy.

Looking at the waters that scattered in the marshes, Alex tried to look for a source. Still wandering around the marshes, he was mesmerized by what he saw as he passed by the tall mangroves covering the beautiful river. The light pierced the shallow waters of the river making it glow like crowded diamonds. The crystal-clear waters with its turquoise color reflect the beautiful blue sky making it an unavoidable temptation to swim. The river resonates a gushing sound as its current crashes to different rocks. Kneeled and bent his body, Alex cupped his hands and took a sip from the river’s water. A thirst-quenching sip that took Alex’s fatigue from walking to be swept away. He took his uniform off and swam in the river’s tempting waters. The river possesses abundant aquatic life as he saw freshwater fishes swimming around him, not minding the naked human that is swimming happily around them. Alex giggled, painting an undeniably happy face.

Alex grabbed his dirty uniform and washed it in the clear waters of the river. After washing, Alex put his uniform on a rock for it to dry. Alex’s strength slowly fades as he continues to swim. His stomach grumbled, threating him to be of use and feed it something delicious. Alex stopped, thinking of what he could eat in this vast marshland. Considering the abundant aquatic life in front of him, Alex thought of a way to feed himself some tasty trout.

Drifting under the shady eaves of the river bank, they wait for a prey and become angelic devourer who flies into the air making a surprise attack. Taking advantage to the trout’s location in shallow bank, a simple hand fishing would do to catch one.

Alex moved slowly towards the river bank, trying not to disturb the insect predator that is a prey to a human. Alex stepped into the water, trying to be in a position that could give him the highest percentage rate of catching a fish. He waited patiently, his hands in mid-air, ready to snap to catch a delicious meal.

A potential aquatic prey now swimming peacefully near the bank and in an instant, two fleeting hands move in extreme speed making the fish stuck in its two big hands restraining its movement. The fish might consider this a very unlucky day, but what Alex saw was a scrumptious dinner right in his hands. Alex looked for a spot to make a fire. He put the trout into a safe spot while he grabbed and wore his now dried uniform. Since the marshland is known for its wet grounds Alex had a hard time looking for one. With the trout in his hands and his perseverance, he finally found a dry spot to cook and eat the delicious meal. Lighting a fire is simple, the scout camps as kids came in handy. Smoke floats into the air and towards the sky as the fire continue to burn. A mouth-watering smell of roasted trout pierces Alex’s nostril that makes his mouth drool with excitement. Alex removed the fish from the fire, ready to take a bite. He blew the cooked trout for it to cool and took a small bite from a freshly-cooked fish. Alex’s eyes grew big, he had never tasted such fish before. A scrumptious meal indeed. Having it cooked fresh from the river does really make the fish tastier than those who are stored just like in the world that he lived in the past. I wish I could enjoy this kind of experience with my friends. Alex thought, while munching the delicious meal. A loud burp resounded in the marshland pertaining Alex’s signal of fullness. Satisfied with the meal, Alex decided to take a nap, lying on the cold ground, feeling the earth’s energy. Suddenly, a whooshing sound made Alex wake up and immediately came to its senses. “Who’s that?” he said, looking around the vast wetland. “Intruder!” a shrilling sound knocked Alex’s ears from a distance. He looked at the side and saw a yellow arrow piercing the ground near where he lied for a moment. He stood up, not knowing of the kind of situation he’s currently in and tried to make shelter behind the trees. The sun shined so bright that it gave him a hard time locating where the attacker must have gone. Then a loud buzzing sound swirled where Alex was hiding. The trees’ leaves danced along with the wind and extraordinary creatures came flying from the top.

Alex startled; three human-bee-like creatures came in front of him.  Their eyes were big and voided of color. Two furry strings erected on the creatures’ forehead. Serving of what he noticed, as an antenna. They have a large butt that has a sharp object behind it – like a sting in a bee. Their facial feature was of a human’s, making their eyes the most recognizable of all because of its size, but their nose and mouth were that of human’s. They have a body structure of a human but their hips are very thin. They have two main hands where the right one was used to hold the weapon. They also have two small hands on their waist but these hands do not possess any fingers but rather like an arc-shaped, like a crab’s claw. Alex looked at their feet and it’s the same. The creatures’ limbs are thin, making themselves look like a human.  The three creatures possess a crossbow that is placed in their right hand. Alex knew it since he used to play shooting games when he’s still in his past world and he thought that it was the one that they must have used trying to shoot him while taking a nap. The creatures’ wings were big enough to support their body but not big enough to be cover themselves. One heart’s pounding, Alex decided to step back. A monster, he thought. How could this creature exist? Where am I? I should be in a paradise, right? But how could this thing exist in here? A series of thoughts flooded Alex’s mind. A paradise that everyone would consider turned out to be a habitat from a hideous creature. Crashed in deep silence he tried to remain calm and spoke to the creatures. “What are you?” the creatures flew downwards, their feet on the ground. Upon landing on the ground, Alex noticed that the creatures were not that tall, 5-feet in height but extremely dangerous. The creatures’ eyes being devoid of emotions making it harder for Alex to comprehend its intention of the possibility of killing him. “Capture. Intruder. Punish.” The middle one said in a squeaking voice. There, Alex knew. The creatures do not possess anything but its hostility towards himself. Run. His mind continued to tell him, but Alex being himself tried to reason with the creatures who are calmly standing in front of him pointing their weapons towards the helpless him. Alex took a sigh, trying to talk himself out of the situation. “Wha----” Alex couldn’t finish his sentence for another whooshing sound accelerated into the air and pierced Alex’s shoulder – an arrow was fired in an instant. His knees bent, he felt dizzy. His eyes are getting heavy, he tried to fight it but he can’t. His knees, now on the ground, followed by his immobile body lying helplessly onto the cold ground of the marshland. Still having a little amount of consciousness, he felt the silent footsteps of the creatures approaching him. The creatures bent down trying to grab the helpless body of Alex. Then, Alex felt nothing anymore, the cold muddy ground of the marshland, for he was carried by the creatures into the air. Fearful of the fact of where would they take him and what would happen to him, he’s more convinced that he cannot do anything. He gave up and decided to offer himself to the god of sleep.