Senses

Bones bathed in crimson littered the place. Flies buzzed above my head as I walked towards the nearest water. I ended up looking at my reflection. Tiny scratches and pointed teeth reflected from it. What was it that took over me last night?

I looked above the clouds and screamed at the top of my lungs. This can’t be happening! Somebody, please tell me this is just a dream. Somebody, please wake me up. Won’t somebody... please. I can’t live my life like this.

My body slumped by the side of the clear lake, staring miles deep within it. Suddenly, my ears pricked at the gentle footsteps behind the trees. I did not know what to do, so I jumped into the water, squeezing my body smaller.

Tiny bubbles attempted to escape from my nostrils. I held my position still as stone when the shadows touched the water. Please do not come closer. I beg you! My heart stammered against the walls of my chest. I soon realized that the water got slightly tinted with crimson.

I only had seconds left before I lose my breath, but the shadow kept staring on the surface. If I stay here any longer, I might surely die. My fists tightened as I resurfaced. Soft hands helped hoist my body towards the cold stone.

My eyes widened upon seeing a shining figure. Her almond eyes glinted hazel within them. That heart-shaped face reflected its fairness upon me. Her knots and braids of soft amber blew with the wind. My heart slowed into an uneven tempo the more my eyes lingered.

She smiled at me with quivering eyes, “Finally! I thought I was the only one inside this thickness of trees.”

I recovered from my limpness and gently held her hand, “Don’t be scared. No, you must get out of here!”

“Oh, my goodness! Your scratches look deep,” she scanned my face. “We should head to the hospital once the trees clear out.”

“I think I can manage myself.”

“Do not be stubborn! Your neck feels hot, steaming hot. Lay down by this tree while I go get something. Do not move an inch! I won’t take long.”

“You might get lost.”

“I won’t go far,” she smiled assuringly at me.

Come to think of it, my body did feel hot. Was I sick? But my head did not hurt at all, and I did not feel weak. In fact, I felt like I could lift a mountain. I chopped some trees with my pointed nails and twisted wood against wood until a cloud of smoke emanated from it.

I gently blew it into a kindle. Soon, a small feminine frame came back with bowls of metal in both hands. She washed off the dried crimson—remnants of my vivid visions. Her soft hands brushed again onto my neck. I felt the lively pulse from her palms.

I gritted my teeth and pulled away from her. I retreated towards my position, resting flat on the hard bark. I must resist, I must pull myself together. She must not know what happened here.

“Go away! Do not touch me! Run while you still can. Run before you get yourself killed!” I warned her.

She tilted her head on one side, “What do you mean? I only wanted to help you feel better. If there is someone out to get me, you would protect me, right?”

I grabbed her tiny shoulders, “You do not understand! There is a monster loose in this forest. Didn’t you see those bodies sprawled about?”

“It did leave quite a mess on my way here. To be honest, it strikes me to the bone.”

“When the monster comes for us, I want you to run the opposite direction and never look back. Do you understand?”

“I am not leaving without you! I do not want to wander alone again in this creepy forest.”

“It is for the best. You have no other choice, but to leave me. You might end up sprawled among them.”

“Shh... Stop talking and drink this soup,” she stabbed a searing spoonful into my mouth.

It felt like swallowing a raging flame, “Hot! Hot! Water! Water!”

“I guess I put too much spice,” she took a sip. “Hey, it isn’t that bad.”

“It’s because you shoved it in without clearing the smoke.”

“Whoops, my bad.”

“I think I have something for burns somewhere here,” she shuffled her bag and pick up a square wrapped leaf. “Ah, here it is! You should drink this after you finish eating.”

“What is this?”

“As I was wondering around the forest, I stumbled upon these fire flowers. I crushed the orange petals and wrapped them in banana leaves. Good thing, I made a lot of extras.”

“So, you are a herbalist?”

“Something like that. Hey, your soup is getting cold. I will leave this here for you.”

“Thank you, whatever your name is.”

“It’s Florice. My friends would sometimes call me Flor.”

“What a beautiful name. It suits you, actually.”

“How nice of you to say that,” her cheeks painted a tint of red. “What about yours?”

“My name is Fenrir. Fen, for short.”

“Hmm... I think I read that name somewhere.”

“My parents named me after a wolf god of Norse mythology, or so I was told.”

As the conversation continued, the sun sunk into the horizon and out came the moon. Then my heart stomped rapidly within my chest. The heat inside my body circulated within my veins. Every breath burned my lungs. I have to get out of here!

“Hey, where are you going?” she called after me.

“I need to refresh myself.”

“Goodness, you are sweating a lot. Are you sure you are okay?”

“Just wait for me here. I will be back soon.”

“Hurry back. I will set up our bed.”

I did not look back at her and ran towards the trees. It felt like my head was cracking into pieces. An ear-piercing howl escaped from my mouth. Her vibrating pulse echoed in my mind. My feet twisted back to where I came from.

The smell of fresh blood slapped my nostrils. It smelled so strong and so close. I took a peek behind the trees. She sat there as if she was waiting for someone. Then our eyes met, though I was not sure if she could see me.

Those sparkling hazel eyes bore through my skull. I covered my nose and forced my feet to clear the area. The nails on my fingers lengthened to an inch, and the thick fur covered most of my body. Yellow and orange clashed on the surface of my skin.

I did not know how long I was walking or where I was going. My feet stopped at the familiar figure standing in front of me. He flashed a smug grin across his tanned raisin face. I rushed at him with my claws poised to kill.

In a blink, a hard object struck my gut. The force sent me crashing into a couple of trees. He laughed like a satisfied bastard as he pointed his staff at me. I winced, struggling to get up to my feet.