Chapter Thirty-Nine

I opened my eyes to find myself standing in a dark forest, dense fog circling me. The misty cloud that lingered obscured the trees, making the branches seem like long tendrils reaching out for me. Panic quickly set in. What was I doing here? The last thing I remembered was talking with Marcel in the back of the wagon, then drifting off to sleep. 

I turned back and forth, trying to get my bearings, searching for any sign of life, of civilization. The movement caused the fog to swirl around me violently, leaving a fine layer of moisture where it caressed my skin. My breath came in short gasps as I struggled to breathe. I couldn't see a clear path out. This wasn't good. 

"Be calm, child." A quiet yet powerful voice came simultaneously from what seemed to be nowhere yet everywhere. It sent a chill down my spine. It was layered as if multiple people were speaking in perfect unison. It was an unnatural sound.