Asrai

Chapter8: Facing Unknowns

Turning slowly, searching for the source, a trickle of fear slid down my spine. The wind stirred again, harder this time, and I glanced behind me—only to see something I could believe. Gray fog was pouring in from every direction, swirling and gathering into a single spot.

What the heck is that? I thought, heart pounding.

A shiver ran through me as the fog began to take shape—something unnatural, something wrong. I didn’t wait to see what it became. I turned and bolted through the houses into the open street, not daring to look back.

In the distance, I spotted the Ember Coach—its train-like carriage post glowing faintly, it was my beacon of hope in the gloom. I began to take off in that direction but then I heard it: the thunder of hooves behind me. I risked a glance and saw the Fae steed gaining fast as if chased me down the street, white smoke billowing from its nostrils like fury incarnate.

I had no chance.

I pushed myself harder, legs burning, but it was too quick. It was suddenly upon me. I felt its hot breath behind me. The steed dipped its head and snatched the edge of my cloak, lifting me clean off the ground. A burst of white wings exploded from its sides, and suddenly I was airborne—my scream tearing from my throat as the world dropped away beneath me.

It just plucked me up, I couldn't believe it before I knew it we were high up over the houses. It took only seconds to realize that struggling was pointless. If I fought too hard, I’d slip from its grip—and fall to my death.

The steed was mid-transformation: its hind legs a deep, midnight black, while its upper body gleamed a ghostly white. Its dagger-like teeth pressed into my back, anchoring me in place as it soared above Huntings Lane. Below, the town square was visible in the distance, its fairy and wiccan sparklers flickering like stars. I could see the bazaar, smoke from the roasts, little hordes of docile fae darting through the air like fireflies and even the cherub looking ones with their fast moving wings. For a moment, I hoped the Fae Steed might release me in town. It wouldn't be my preferred way on entering but it was better than nothing.

But that hope shattered when it veered sharply toward the dark woods. We went past the tree line until all i saw was treetops for miles.

Panic surged. I thrashed against its hold, desperate to break free. As we neared the treetops, it flung me downward without warning. I hit the ground hard, the breath knocked from my lungs, and scrambled toward the nearest tree, clutching my head. There were leaves and something likened to mud all over my pants and cloak.

This was worse than running into Timothy. I was deep in the dark woods now—and in serious trouble.

My back pressed hard against the tree as I stared at the steed. Darkness crept steadily up its body, swallowing the white in shadow. It thrashed its head violently from side to side, then began to stalk toward me.

I raised a trembling hand. “Easy there, boy,” I half-pleaded, voice barely above a whisper.

As I slowly rose to my feet, it let out a furious neigh that echoed through the woods. I ducked low again, trying to appear submissive, hoping it would see I wasn’t a threat.

“Please,” I whimpered. “I just want to get home. You remember me, don’t you?”

I took a cautious half-step forward.

The steed snapped its head again, baring its jagged teeth and chomping at the air between us.

I knelt cautiously, eyes darting around in a feverish search for anything I could use as a weapon. But there was nothing—no big enough branch, no stone, no hope. Axxepting my defeat, I stayed low, my breath shallow and uneven.

The steed remained still, watching me. Its gaze was intense, almost curious, as if it were trying to figure me out. The silence stretched between us, and slowly, my heart began to settle. It wasn’t advancing. It wasn’t attacking. I exhaled a shaky breath, a small sigh of relief.

Only then did I take in my surroundings.

I had never actually been inside the Dark Woods before. I’d seen the shifting shadows in its mist from afar, heard the occasional scream or snarl echoing from its depths—but never stepped foot within. Now that I had, I understood the fear.

The woods was a suffocating maze of twisted trees and creeping fog. Gnarled branches reached upward like skeletal fingers, their bark blackened and split as if cursed by something ancient. The canopy overhead was so dense it devoured the last rays of sunlight, plunging everything below into a murky, unnatural gloom.

The air was thick and damp, heavy with the stench of rot and something sharp—metallic, like old blood. Every movement I made sent brittle leaves crunching and twigs snapping beneath me, each sound unnervingly loud, as if the forest itself was listening. Watching. Waiting.

“Listen, buddy,” I said gently, trying to keep my voice calm. “I’d love to hang around, really, but I’ve got to get home.”

I edged to the side, hoping to slip past it, but barely made it a few inches before it grunted and stepped in front of me, blocking my path like a living wall.

I sighed, more firmly this time. “I have to go.”

In response, it snapped its jagged teeth at me, the sound sharp and threatening. I flinched, stumbling back.

Then—c***k. A twig broke somewhere nearby.

I turned toward the sound, scanning the shadows, but saw nothing. The steed did the same, ears twitching, body tense. It began to walk in that direction, drawn by whatever had made the noise.

And I almost begged it to stay.

A known danger is better than an unknown one. Even if this creature wouldn’t let me leave, at least I understood its rules. I didn’t want to be left alone in the dark woods—not with something else lurking out there.

Its ears flattened, and a low, guttural sound rumbled from its throat. Smoke hissed from its nostrils as the last traces of daylight faded. The white fur that once shimmered like silver vanished into shadow, swallowed by the night. It stalked forward, transformed—its once-gray-blue eyes now glowing an eerie white, like twin moons watching from the dark.

As it turned and slowly disappeared into the trees, I shrank back against the trunk behind me, pulling my hood over my head like a shield. Only when the growl faded into silence did I dare to rise, stepping lightly in the opposite direction.

I didn’t look back.

I was going to make it out of these woods—even if I died trying.