Chapter 2

The freedom we are looking for is the freedom to be ourselves, to express ourselves.

                                             -Unknown. 

|A L E E Z A|

Under the obscure sky, I took another courageous step ahead, my eyes roaming around in the opaque surroundings where I can not see a fucking thing because of the extreme darkness.

The moon shone like dust in the sky, hidden behind the dusky clouds not really helping with the blackness around me. Just as I took another step the sound of leaves crunching underneath my feet by the pressure of it, reached my ears. I stopped, my heart racing inside my chest as the fear engulfed me.

This looks like an abandoned place and I would not be surprised if a serial killer appeared her out of no where, demanding my blood for his satanic rituals. The trees touched the sky with the extreme length casting a creepy and broken shadow over my head.

Is it a forest?

I frowned and my eyes wandered around in what seems like a very deep forest, where I could easily get lost without even trying. Forests scare the shit out of me, because, for one, There can be any wild and poisonous animal thirsty for my blood and hungry for my flesh. Any two is not needed after the one.

Even the thought makes me shudder. I shake my head, trying to get my mind off the scary topic. Tucking the loose strand of my hair behind my ear, I walked further ahead trying to be courageous even when I am not, specially, not right now.

When I came out of that party to head back home, a whole new very unnecessary adventure was not what I was looking for. The party was fun, as much as it could be with that much less space and only a few drinks. But when things started getting wild, I decided to slip away quietly before I end up in some sort of trouble, which I do, very often.

But now when I think about I had rather get into some trouble than passing this spooky forest.

My feets came to a hault when the sound of rustling reached my ears. I listened, carefully, and realised it was the sound of someone's foot steps. My heart beats at a wilder pace as I come up with all the possible unfavourable and pessimistic scenarios if that other person found me.

He could be a serial killer for all I know.

Immediately, I ran and hid behind the first large tree near by me. I sneaked a peek from behind, carefully. My breathing heavy, filling the silence around me as I looked for the owner of those footsteps to finally come in sight.

He did.

A few minutes later.

A black mask placed on his face, hiding his identity and only giving away his eyes that looked like black from this far and the lack of brightness in here. He was dressed in black, everything about him was black as if he was trying his best to match his soul.

His gloved hands were the second thing I noticed. Everything about this man gave serial killer vibes, specially the gloved hands and the mask. It makes sense, everything does.

And, I am so not looking to die on my second day here in U.S.A. pressing my back against the rough tree, I held my breath waiting for him to pass the place so I could get out of here.

He looked like he was searching for something, or someone. More like his next target. He looked calm and composed, his body at ease as he moved in the forest with a grace like he is known to every corner of it. I do not why but it just makes him creepier.

For the next few minutes, I tried to hold my breath and not let out even the slightest of noise so he does not end up hunting me, though I do not see any weapon in his hand but his aura is sick and terrifying enough.

I heard the sound of two footsteps that cut through the extreme silence in here and after taking a quick peek I noticed that he was walking away and let out a long sigh from mouth, that was loud enough in this tranquility to make him pause.

His paused footsteps, paused my breathing too. My hands placed on my chest as I hear the sound of it beating crazily like it is going to explode now. Sweat droplets formed on my forehead as I heard his footsteps coming closer and closer until I could hear him breathing near by but I did not dared to take another peek. I know he is here, closer.

"Well, well, well," He said, his voice low with a hint of both playfulness and danger in it. I know I am caught like a deer in the headlight but still I did not came out, holding onto a little hope that is crushed long ago. "What do we have here?" His voice was demanding and threatening, forcing my feets to move on their own to come out of the shadows.

I stepped out of the shadows, and stood in front of him, my gaze lowered down in both fear and embarassment. I noticed from the corner of my eyes as his hollow gaze travelled up and down my body, shamelessly.

He leaned against the tall tree behind him, his back pressed against it. Crossing his arms on his chest he met my eyes and opened his mouth to speak, "A lost lamb wandering into the wolf's den?" He commented, helping me run my imagination faster.

"You are a wolf?" I squinted my eyes at him, a frown touching my lips in confusion.

His face remained stoic, not even a hint of human expressions on it making me believe my own imagination.

"What are you doing here?" He questioned, his voice empty of any emotions, as if he is some sort of a robot, who lack any emotions or feelings.

I interlaced my fingers together holding onto my hands as I looked up to meet his empty stare, "I.. uhm.. got lost." I answered, my voice giving away the fear inside of me. "I did not mean to intrude whatever you are doing." I added, immediately to clear my intentions.

He crossed his legs, still taking the support of the tree behind him as he responded to my previous statement, "You must be pretty brave or pretty foolish to end up here," he commented and my mouth itched to answer back but analysing the situation I am in, I decided not to, considering it won't be in my favour. His gaze wandered around me as of searching for another soul in this soulless place, "Alone." He added in a mocking tone.

"Pretty brave it is." I answered him, having enough of his snarky comments on my brain capacity. If there is one thing I hate, it is being told what I should and should not do.

Because I have grown up doing so, for the entire twenty three years of my life.

Not again.

Never again.