57 – Déjà Vu
Ione.
I found myself, not back in the real world, but on a snowy night. The wind was strong. The only things I could see were trees and miles and miles of
snow.
What was going on? More and more questions piled up. This was the first time that I was experiencing this. And with more questions that I could not answer, my dread only grew. I looked up at the moon. With its position in the sky, I knew that it would still be several long hours before morning came. If morning ever came. I could not be sure, I was not conversant with this part of the other realm.
I rubbed my hands together and blew hot air into my cold, freezing hands. My teeth began to chatter and I halted for a second. The other realm was physically affecting me. It was not possible. It should not have been so. I was simply seeing into the realm, with my spirit and not my body. I should not have been able to feel cold, or heat, or pain.
This was nothing like I had ever encountered. It was as though my entire body had been transported. This was not conventional and it only raised more worries. Just when I thought that I was done questioning what was going on, more questions seemed to appear out of nowhere.
Then I heard howling in the distance. The howling was echoed by other wolves; it was not a lone wolf, it was a pack. I had to move, my feet were already painfully numb as I began to move through the snow. If I could feel cold and pain, I could definitely be mauled to death. And I did not want to think too much about what would happen if I died here.
I continued to move, something dripped onto the snow. Then another drop and another. I froze in place as I tried to understand what was going on and what exactly was dripping onto the white snow. It was dark and… my eyes widened when I realized what it was. It was blood. I took a shaky hand to my face, to my nose. When I felt wetness under my nose, my stomach turned. Not only because I was bleeding but because this had happened before.
I heard voices and I turned swiftly to see people with torches walking through the snow.
“She couldn’t have gone far,” one said to the others. “We can still get her for the Alpha.”
My blood ran cold. This was far worse than I thought. It was horrifying. The men looking for me were not Lycans but werewolves. I had to hide. I let myself fall into the snow as silently as possible. They could not catch me. I had just escaped from them after they kidnapped me. If they caught me again, there would be absolutely no way out for me.
My heart was thumping wildly in my chest as I waited, the cold snow doing far more harm than good but I had no choice. I held my breath as I heard the crunch of footsteps approaching. The torches flickered closer, casting eerie shadows on the trees. I pressed myself further into the snow, praying they wouldn’t notice the trail of blood I had left behind. The voices grew louder, more urgent.
“She must be close by,” another voice said, frustration lacing his words.
I could feel my heartbeat pounding in my ears, threatening to give away my hiding spot. Every muscle in my body tensed as I listened to their steps draw nearer. I knew I couldn’t stay hidden for long; they would find me eventually if I didn’t move.
Slowly, I began to inch my way backward, careful to keep my movements as silent as possible. The howling in the distance grew louder, and I realized the pack was drawing closer. Panic surged through me, but I forced myself to stay calm. I had to think of a way out, a way to escape.
As I moved, I saw a small opening between two large trees, partially hidden by a mound of snow. It was a slim chance, but it was better than staying out in the open. Gathering what little strength I had left, I crawled toward it, each movement sending waves of pain through my freezing limbs.
I reached the opening and slipped inside, curling into a tight ball. The space was cramped, but it offered some protection from the wind and the prying eyes of the werewolves. I pulled my cloak tighter around me, hoping it would provide some warmth.
Minutes felt like hours as I waited, listening to the men’s voices fade and the howling grow more distant. Eventually, the forest fell silent again, save for the occasional rustle of the wind through the trees. I allowed myself a small sigh of relief, but I knew I wasn’t safe yet.
I needed to find a way out of this realm and back to the real world. But first, I had to survive the night.
With my hands still trembling from the cold, I trembled more from the ramifications of what was happening. I never in my whole existence thought that I would go through this again. Even as a distant memory that I tried to lock away, I could never fully escape but now I was back to experience the nightmare in real time.
My kidnapping, my escape and now… I tried not to think of what happened next. I shook my head. This was not happening, it was void playing games with me to punish me but I would not succumb. Because if I was forced to go through what I had suffered those years ago again, there would be no hope. I just couldn’t.
But my fingers were growing more numb by the second and with each inhale, it was like shards of glass were slashing through my lungs. I would not survive here, without fire or shelter. I could be completely frozen by the time the sun rose from its slumber. My head ached, and each time I blinked, my eyes only got drier. This was what happened that time, I had been injured trying to escape and I was bleeding out on the snow.
I heard the howling of the wolves again, they had caught the scent of my blood, like they had done all those years ago. My breath quickened, forming clouds in the cold air, as I struggled to stay calm. The memories of my previous escape and the terror that followed were overwhelming, but I couldn’t let fear paralyze me.
The howls grew louder, closer. I knew I was running out of time. I tried to push myself to my feet, but my body refused to cooperate. The cold had seeped into my bones, making every movement a struggle. I could barely feel my fingers, and my vision was starting to blur.
Then, out of the darkness, I saw the first wolf. Its eyes glowed a menacing yellow, and its teeth gleamed in the moonlight. It was followed by another, and then another, until the entire pack was surrounding me. They moved closer, their growls vibrating through the air.
Setting
21:05
37 Déjà Vu
I tried to stand, to defend myself, but my legs gave out beneath me. I fell into the snow, weak and helpless. The lead wolf stepped forward, its eyes locked on mine. It bared its teeth, ready to strike,
Just as it lunged for my throat, a blazing fire spear shot through the air, landing between me and the wolf. The creature yelped and backed away, its pack following suit. I turned my head to see the source of the fire.
A figure emerged from the darkness, holding another flaming spear. He had shoulder–length black hair that flowed in the wind and piercing emerald eyes that seemed to glow with an inner light. His face was filled with concern as he approached me, his steps sure and swift,
“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice deep and soothing. He knelt beside me, his gaze scanning my face for injuries. His eyes widened when he saw the blood probably dried under my nose.
This could not be happening, I shook my head. He had to leave. He could not come back like this. Not again, when I had learned to forget him or at least deceive myself that I had. I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. The cold and shock had stolen my voice. I tried to nod, to give him some sign, but my vision was fading, the world around me growing darker.
He gently lifted me into his arms, his warmth seeping into my frozen skin. “We need to get you out of here,” he said firmly. “It’s not safe.” my foolish, treacherous heart still skipped a beat. I had to be strong but I was weak.
As he carried me away from the wolves, I felt a sense of safety I hadn’t experienced in a long time. His presence was comforting, and for the first time since arriving in this realm, I felt a glimmer of hope. Hope that should have been banished to a place where the sun never shined but he had always had that effect on me.
My eyes grew heavy, and before I could fully process what was happening, the darkness of unconsciousness overtook me. The last thing I felt was the steady, reassuring beat of Alaric’s heart against my cheek as he carried me to safety.
