Vector Double Zero

The cold damp mesh slides beneath my feet. Dirt emerges, while pebbles dance around; each foot soars then comes crashing down. I push myself, even just a bit further. Toward the “Dark Forest.” Run. … Run, faster! You have to Run. You have to get away, Run! And remember … don’t forget to breathe. As I enter the “Dark Forest”, I am reminded why, my parents didn’t wish me to venture here at night. I could immediately sense the darkness that creeps in the forest. Seeing freaky shadow like faces, in between the trees. It could scare anyone, but I can’t let fear fester, as I’m running for my life. Hearing the harsh wind whistling through the woods. Feeling the cold breath of wind across my face. Rushing through the forest, I try to get away. Pushing myself through the bushes, passed any trail. Resonating through the trees, the owl’s hoot from above; as if they were mocking me. Reassuring my near unenviable doom, that awaits my capture. It’s dark, almost too dark. Fog surrounding the area makes it that much more difficult to see. Was I running away, or was I running towards the so called “Hunters” who are furiously chasing after me. I can see sparks of blazing light, coming from their torches behind me. I hear loud grunts, and yelling from the men behind me. Some of the villagers even followed the hunters. The difference from them was too great for me not to notice. Hunters were wearing knight armour and helmets. They were larger, louder and faster than the average villager. Yet the villagers wore ragged dirty clothes carried pitchforks, and would call out the word devil. I would recognize these faces as we come from the same village. Why would any of them do this? I still don’t understand nor do I want to be here. I hear off in the distance, “Find her! Don’t let her escape!” My breathing has become harsh, from running for so long. My exhaustion is trying to take control over my body. My calves burn feeling like they could explode any minute. My arms are weak feeling like jelly. My whole body feels like it’s on fire. But I have to keep moving. My desire for survival is keeping me going forwards. Just keep running. Pumping my legs even harder, gaining more speed. I have gained my second wind with an extra burst of energy, also known as adrenaline. I run until it turns into big leaps. At this point I could almost fly. Any fear is now thrown in the back of my mind. Confidence crashes through, I was made for running. I could always win against both my father and older brother. Taking a short break, I hide and lean against a big tree. Remembering I have to breathe, I take a breath in and out, I imagine the road ahead. Even though it’s called the “dark forest” my brother and I would play during the day here, in the past. I remember where the land of meadows ends and where the Rocky Mountains begin. I don’t know how far I have to run. But I know I have to keep moving forwards. It’s lucky I live in the closest village to the dark forest. As some say it’s a border between lush green lands for life and the harsh reality of the rocky landscape. My heart aches thinking of what I have lost. All I want to do is curl into a ball and hold myself as I cry. But I can’t yet, I have to survive and plan my next move. I don’t quite understand what’s going on and who these hunters knights are. But I know they exist, means I can find them later to take revenge. A single tear escapes my eye, I quickly wipe it away. I lightly shake my head, as if shaking my thoughts away. Focus! The fog thickens and any light from the sky above is completely covered. I’m barely able to see the obstacles in front of me. Dizziness strikes my brain and my body looses balance. I trip and tumble forward, scraping my hands and knees. Having no control, my body slams against the ground as I roll forward down a steep hill. My head hits the ground and my vision begins to blur. I pass out for what could be a minute or two. Not yet opening my eyes all I think is GET UP, GET UP! My mind races around. “Over here!” I hear in the distance. I fully awake and panic has begun to take over my mind. My breathing becomes harsh and shallow. My heart beats so fast I can hear it. I imagine what will happen to me once I’m caught. The pain, the large fire! No! Don’t think like that! Don’t give up! Taking the last bit of strength I drag my bruised and broken body across the mesh ground. Hiding within the bush of the forest. Holding my mouth as to not make a peep. Flares from the torches have come closer. Breaking twigs beneath their feet, here they come; four large men. I know that these men were definitely hunters. Wearing their flashy knight armour with, what looks like the churches cross on the chest. Holly knights? Is that a thing now? I remember hearing about how they were the ideal partner. How strong, wealthy and full of righteousness they are. The Holly Knights, who follow gods will. One of the biggest things that I wonder is how do these men tell each other apart with all helmets covering most of their face. Stopping just before the bushes where I was hiding. I hold my breath, please don’t notice me. “I thought I saw something over here” a large hunter says. He looks around, as if he knew something was hiding here. “s**t she couldn’t have gotten far” huffed another man. My eyes have begun to water and my head has become light full of dizziness. Please go away, I don’t want to get caught. My chest feels tight and I’m surprised that the whole forest doesn’t hear my heart beat. “We can’t waste time! Come on, let’s go meet the others” with an annoyed voice says another Hunter. The three other men laugh it off, and all walk off. I release my hands that had grasped around my mouth. Gasping for air, my dizziness comes with vengeance. Tears stream down my cheeks, my body aches and chest burns. My vision begins to fade away … No! … I can’t … passing out again not knowing if I would wake up in hell or safe. … My eyes burst open! My body jolts forward sitting up. My breath is shallow and hash, cold sweat travels down my body. I’m shaking violently, I look around the room, grasping at the sheets that lay neatly on top of me. Looking around the room I recognize, I grasp at my chest and try to slow my breath. It was a dream, just a dream. I’m safe here I tell myself. All though I wish I could say it was just a nightmare, that it’s not real. My mind knows the truth, yes a nightmare, but it was very real. A real memory that I recall in my sleep countless times since I arrived here. Warmth fills me as I look around the room that was once a stranger a two months ago. A sting in my heart comes, I still have no word or sign from Liam. I look to the side where the night stand is. I grab the grey rock holding it to my chest. Closing my eyes, I breathe in a deep breath as I gain comfort. Let me start from the beginning…