Chapter 1

Running.

Steady, even steps propelled me, kicking the ground to dust. Racing the trees over a hidden path that only I could see. A tall forest had swallowed me, left me to chase things that weren't there.

I felt stronger, faster, lighter than I ever had before. I could see every drop of dew weaving its way through the threads of a spider's web. I could taste the thick air, its sweet flavor sticking to my teeth. I could hear each and every crunch of earth underneath my feet, a hearty laughter that made me want to bound higher into the air.

Flying over roots and stumps and rocks as if they weren't there, as if nothing that could deter me from my path. I followed my feet, not knowing where I was or where I wanted to go.

I just ran and ran and ran.

Until I couldn't.

Until the energy had drained from my body. Until my lungs could no longer find air. Until I collapsed, panting and tired.

And yet I wanted more; I wanted to keep going, I knew I could. I could run farther and faster, I knew it. But I was still tired, my body not in accordance with my mind, my heart.

So, I listened and complied with my body's requests, laying there until I could once again breathe. Until my heart slowed its heavy pounding to a calm beat. Until I could rise to my feet and stand, tall and steady, and place one foot in front of the other. Until I was walking, taking in my surroundings at a leisurely pace.

I closed my eyes and turned my ears, trying to catch the sounds of the forest around me.

It was a good quiet; the kind of quiet that lulls you to sleep; the kind of quiet that wraps around you like a blanket, letting you savor its warmth.

Soon a soft gurgling invaded the quiet, forcing me to open my eyes. A small stream lay in front of me, speaking a language that I could never learn.

Still, it spoke to me, telling me stories of its life, of the events that happened near its resting place. I stepped closer, silently asking it for a drink.

It continued to gurgle as if assuring me that it was ok, that it was willing to give up some of its self for me. I nodded my head in thanks and lowered my head to the water and then froze. Staring back at me was me, but at the same time a stranger—a beast.

The face staring back at me was covered in dark fur, black as a moonless night sky; a long snout and canines that were meant for tearing flesh and meat; and big, fuzzy ears rested over a pair of bright golden eyes, my eyes.

The only thing that remained the same, I realized.

A loud snap in front of me had me jerking my head up.

I peered into the darkness, failing to realize that the gurgling stream had gone deathly quiet. Nothing, not even the air, dared to move as I watched the darkness on the other side of the stream.

Watched as a man, dressed in black, stepped into my field of view.

As he moved closer I saw that his hands were holding things; in his left hand was a blood-covered knife and the other... I had to swallow the bile that rose in my throat. In his right hand, dangling from his fingers, was a human ear.

Horrified, I snapped my eyes back to his face. He stopped and smiled at me, before bringing the knife up to his mouth and licking it clean. His smile grew as his body started trembling in large jerking motions.

The man opened his mouth, letting loose loud screeching noises, his eyes settling back on me. He put one foot in front of the other, over and over again, until he was running towards me.

I tried to turn and escape, but found my legs wouldn't move.

I glanced down and saw the once gurgling stream had turned black and was winding itself around my legs, pinning them to the ground.

The screeching grew louder as the man neared the edge of the stream and continued through the black mess easily as if it were land.

He halted in front of me, each screech louder than the last, as he raised the knife and—

I opened my eyes, my alarm clock's shrieking bouncing off the walls of my room.