Last Thought

Branches snapped underfoot and leaves crumpled and twisted from even the lightest step. As hard as I try, it is impossible to be silent in the woods. Owls swooped overhead, searching for their prey. I envy them, the ones never hunted, the ones with the ability to strike fear into the hearts of others. Unlike me. 1

Even as I paused underneath the shadow of an ancient tree, its ancient roots humped and criss-crossed with scars, it was still not silent. Debris crunched under my feet as my weight bore down on it, and the wind whistled as it passed by me.2

My body was tense, my shoulders stiff and my eyes wary. I could hear my heart pounding in my chest, overflowing with fear. My breath hitched as I attempted to calm myself down, and my eyes darted about like a frightened rabbit. I saw no-one.3

As my body relaxed, I allowed a smile to appear on my face. I won. I escaped.4

So lost in my relief it didn't occur to me that I had been played with. I started to walk forward, and when I looked back, they were there.5

There was no warning. I ran, too terrified to even scream, and got no more than a few steps before a figure appeared before me. My shoulders were grabbed with inhuman strength as arms moved with speed too fast for my eye to follow.6

I heard voices speaking with calm grace, as if a victim wasn't in their possession. I saw a pair of red eyes coming towards me. I felt hands bruising my body and felt the strokes of the winds wings across my cheeks. I smelt the metallic scent of blood, and an exotic scent wafting from them. I tasted fear, sharp and acid in my mouth.7

My senses returned to me in an sudden rush. I screamed, startling birds and all manner of creatures. Then everything went black. 8

My last coherant thought was "What are these creatures?"