Chapter 001

RUN. RUN. RUN.

I had woken up and I was running. All I knew was that I had to run. I had no memory of how I got here, in this deep dark forest, all I saw was plants, different green kinds. They looked scary. I didn't know what I am expecting, them turning into a monster?

I didn't know what I was running away from. There was no one following me, no one chasing me. Still, I kept looking behind.

My chest tightened as I thought of all the possibilities that can pull me into an empty, scary, numb place where I would be left with no feeling at all. I would be consumed by darkness, or maybe I was already consumed by it, else these musings would not be there. The thought of someone crawling all over my skin while I wouldn't be able to see it, wouldn't be able to feel it. There would be nothing left of me. I wouldn't die, but I wouldn't survive. Me, myself would be the reason of this. I would kill myself from inside and still stay alive, destroying everything that would come in my way as it becomes the only thing I can feel.

Destruction.

I couldn't feel myself breathing anymore. I strived to break free from my ominous thoughts, as they had seem to have taken roots in my mind, that of an old tree, or a stubborn weed that wouldn't go away. They kept growing the more I try to shake away.

I gasped for more breaths, spotting a river beside me, running with me, while I coughed uncontrollably. The river seemed to mirror my sorrow, like it understood me. And at that moment, I wanted nothing but to let it embrace me. My heavy heart and heavy mind would sink if I fell into the water. If I drowned, if I let it embrace me. I must drown. I must die to breathe again.

My feet came to a halt as I stared at the clear water. Disgust took over me, when I took a look at myself. I was a mess, a sobbing, almost on the brink of fainting, mess. I took a step forward into the river which shimmered like a hundred diamonds. The coolness of water touched me, a comforting sensation that seemed to soothe the ache in my soul. And as I took another step, I felt a sense of calmness wash over me, like a warm embrace from my old grandmother who died a long time ago. And with a final surrender, I gave myself over to the river completely, letting in absorb me into its gentle embrace as I fall into its depths. I could breathe again finally. I could breathe. I could breathe.

I couldn't.

My eyes opened abruptly my hair floating as I still drowned. I still couldn't breathe. I struggled but my body was cold and frozen, and I couldn't move a single limb in an attempt to save my life I was trying to take by my foolishness. Of course, I couldn't breathe in water.

I closed my eyes, giving up on what was left of my little life. It wasn't worth living anymore anyway. Parents dead. Grandmother dead. People said that I killed my own parents. I knew better than to believe them. But why would have they made such assumptions? It was obviously because I had done something terrible. I just couldn't ever remember what it was that made people hate me so much.

Perhaps there was nothing left for me in this world, no one to love and no purpose to fulfill, therefore it felt better to perish myself. For in death, perhaps I would find the peace and release that I never found in life, in being alive.

I felt as if this was my last breath and then I'll choke and die. I was ready to let go, to slip away into the darkness and leave behind the pain that had consumed me for so long. But then, as if by some divine intervention, a force greater than myself took a hold of me, lifting me up and carrying me away from the edge. Energy rushed through my veins like lightning as I felt the arms that were holding me, they were sure strong, their grip strong, muscular. I levitated with the person, my eyes open, my body paralyzed when he kept me on the solid land again. The aura of anger yet calmness radiated throughout him, almost visible to my bare blurry eyes that had droplets of water in them. I shivered as I fluttered my eyes, the man's body coming into a view, dressed like a warrior, tall with broad shoulders and muscular arms. But the first thing I noticed was his wings. Big white sparkling wings like a shining pearl in the sun. And as I gazed upwards, I found myself enraptured by his face- it was the face of an angel. Deep piercing amber eyes, glinting with a subtle hint of calmness, understanding and anger. Little black curls rested on his forehead and then they took a wavy turn as they went down to his neck. His eyebrows came down, lining a perfect v on his forehead. As I took a more clear look, blinking my eyes, I saw the unblemished skin of his, as if he was crafted by god himself. Every feature of his face was perfectly sculpted, from his strong jawline to his full lips, which were turned down slightly in a scowl.

How could a person have wings? I thought I was in heaven, yet I doubted I would get place in heaven. Plus, I was sure that heaven didn't look like a dense forest.

He felt like light, sun, music and poetry as he came closer, crouching down and speaking, his voice like honey. His tone was rich and soothing, with a hint of depth that spoke of experience and maturity beyond his years. Listening to him speak, I felt at peace until I actually processed what he was saying.

"You were not supposed to fucking take your own life, Selene. You were not supposed to take your own life by jumping into the river."

How the fuck did he know my name? I furrowed my eyebrows, however not making a full expression due to the numbness of muscles. I wanted to speak but my words came out embarrassedly weak and whimpering, "Who are you?"

As his words left his lips, his gaze bore into me with an intensity like a sharp yet gentle weapon. Safe and steady. "Your guardian," He declared.