The Butterfly Girl: A Star is Born

The Distraction

[Sophia]

I woke up the next morning, having little to no recollection of what happened last night. I sat up in bed and picked up my phone, a message from Apollo was displayed on the screen. The usual, "I'm at the lake, I'll be back soon."

I didn't think Apollo would have the energy to practice today. I yawned and gathered my long blanket and headed downstairs. I was sure by the time I had finished eating breakfast, Apollo would be back. I didn't pay attention to what time it was because I was still trying to wake up. I made breakfast, I watched cartoons on the TV for a couple hours, and by then did I realize how much time had passed and Apollo still hadn't returned yet. I checked the time he sent his message to me, which was quite a while ago. I thought about sending a text, asking why he hadn't come back yet, but then I thought it'd be better just to go out and see him myself. I'd rather stay on the couch and be comfy, but... eh, it's not that far. Walking won't kill me...

I got dressed and headed out through the back door. I trudged slowly through the grove, past the tree house and into the forest. I figured that maybe Apollo had finished practicing a while ago and was probably just hanging out. By the time I had made it to the cliff, the sun felt almost blindingly bright as I tried to look over to the little beach below me. I squinted my eyes the entire time, but I couldn't see it from where I was standing. Nor could I see Apollo swimming up and down in the lake. I didn't feel like flying down to the beach, I just looked to my left and where the waterfall stood and I decided to walk all the way over. From here, you can get a much better view of the entire lake. The light wasn't completely blinding me anymore. But I realized I wasn't entirely paying attention. I wasn't looking for Apollo, I was just staring at the scenery. My quiet sigh turned into a long yawn and I stretched my arms and wings upwards.

Ugh, maybe I shouldn't have stayed up so late last night. I'm tired... how does Apollo make himself get up so early?

I spun around as I continued to stretch my limbs and started walking away from the edge of the cliff. My attention turned towards the river. I stared at the rushing water for a while before I turned my gaze upwards at the tree line. Looking above that, I realized there were no clouds in the sky. It was completely clear.

I looked back down and spun around again to look at the rest of the forest in front of me. I walked towards the treeline and peaked through. It was just as peaceful as it always was. I was about to walk towards the cliff until... something caught my eye. I tried focusing on what it was. It was... somewhere off in the middle distance. I wasn't... entirely sure how I was able to pick up on it. There was a cluster of thin trees close together and some large bushes in-between. I focused inwards on them. Right in-between the trees and the bushes. The light filtering through the trees overhead made it hard to see the shape clearly, but there was a certain color that stood out from all the natural earthy tones. I slowly took a few steps forward, until I paused.

My blood ran cold.

I felt my heart race increase as I locked eyes with what was in front of me.

My eyes glanced towards the cliff. I could see the lake in the corner of my eye. But I was too afraid to move an inch. I tried to steady my breath, but I wasn't sure what else to do. I started shifting my weight, taking slow steps to the left. Everything in front of me started moving to the right. The thing that I'd locked eyes onto didn't move with the rest of the scenery.

It was following me.

With my fears confirmed, I started quietly panicking.

I stepped slowly and methodically away, I couldn't stop myself. It was too late to do anything else now. The shape continued to follow my movements.

Y'know those creepy paintings of people in haunted houses where the eyes follow you? Well, imagine that, but out in the woods.

I didn't look at anything else, I wasn't even looking where I was going. I just continued to slowly shift closer towards the edge of the forest, leaning towards the idea that maybe I'd be able to lose it if-

I saw the creature stand up.

I bolted into the forest, adrenaline kicking in and sending me flying over sticks and leaves. Not far behind me, I heard fast and heavy pounding in the dirt.

I wasn't thinking about Apollo anymore, I just wanted to put as much distance between me and that thing as much as I could. I didn't look behind me, not even a glance. If I tried, I'd be dead. I could hear the pounding and huffing growing louder behind me. I zipped this way and that, past the trees as they grew thicker. I almost tripped over a rock and skidded on loose dirt, but I refused to slow down.

The creature barked loudly.

Another shot of adrenaline coursed through me. Everything behind me was a blur. All I knew was that I had to find a way to lose it, and there's no way I could continue to outrun it. I glanced upwards and spotted something off in the distance.

The river ahead of me was wider and it bent across me. A normal person wouldn't be able to jump it in one fell swoop, but it gave me an idea and it was the only shot I could take. I might as well try.

I inhaled as much air as I could as the river got closer, I tried to push my legs harder and when I finally saw the edge, I leapt. I pushed my legs and my wings as hard as they could, which gave me a burst of air and I cleared the river.

I landed hard on the other side, almost falling backwards, but I managed to pull forward and continue to sprint.

Behind me, I heard a loud skid, followed by barking and it was beginning to sound further and further away as I ran.

I think I lost it. I think it stopped following me. I think I got away-

I lost focus for one second, ended tripping up on a tree root and I went down hard, rolling over a small hill, kicking up dirt and pebbles before finally hitting the ground and scraping the side of my face against it.

I lied there on my stomach for a while, trying to catch my breath, coughing and wheezing. I finally pushed myself upwards and sat on the dirt. I put the back of my palm against my cheek where it was scrapped. It felt hot, but as I wiped it away, there was no sign of blood. Just sweat and smudged dirt. The rest of me seemed fine, nothing cut, just light bruising. I finally came to my senses and stumbled as I got up and continued forward at a steady pace. I couldn't slow down yet.

When I finally looked up, I saw something in the distance. I realized I hadn't... been out this far in the forest before. Whatever was ahead of me... this was all new.

What... what is this?