Six Months Earlier
Simon
There was darkness for a while… until there wasn't.
Sunlight pierced through matted foliage as a subtle draft of fresh wind leaked from the distance.
Clawing through dense vines and thick leaves my fingertips were the first to taste the biting chill of Zytra.
I took turns breathing on my hands and tearing at overgrown vegetation.
A final rip of moss caused sunlight to pour into the dim, uneven pathway.
I stepped into the light, shielding my eyes from the sun as its warmth consumed me—a fleeting warmth, as the biting chill that nipped at my fingers quickly rushed down my spine.
"So cold."
Fog poured from my mouth as I spoke.
A smirk grew on my face, inhaling and exhaling as I watched the fog spread into the air.
That feeling lasted no more than a moment.
The unfamiliar scenery stole my gaze as trees stood as tall as I could see.
They were thin, but compacted—no more than a few feet away from each other.
I tugged at my sweater, noticing the grass stains still on the back and arms.
My pants had the same stains on the knees.
Clinching on my bag with a sigh I continued forward.
Everything looked the same, like a perfect copy of what I just saw minutes ago.
I walked for what felt like hours, but the scenery never changed.
Those tall, thin trees all bunched together, the same fog that escaped my mouth every time I took a breath.
"Im getting nowhere." I mumbled, stopping in my tracks.
Sitting against the base of a tree I spread my legs out, groaning in relief before reaching into the burlap sack.
"Let's see…"
I shuffled through cans before grabbing one at random.
"Chicken noodle soup… not bad."
Reaching for my paintbrush I held it above the can, jamming the handle into the lid and cutting along the edges.
Completely peeling off the lid I tossed it to the side before sipping from the can.
"Bleh, it's so cold… and bland."
I slurped the somewhat slimy noodles, plucking chewy chunks of chicken from the can as I ate them one by one.
Once done I placed the empty can on the ground before standing upright.
Should I just… leave it here?
I looked around with guilt as if someone was watching, but eventually threw the sack over my shoulder.
"I guess it isn't hurting anybody."
Continuing straight I hummed to myself to pass the time.
The same odd tune Marcel hummed when we were younger.
I quickly grew tired of the repetitive scenery. The trees were beautiful until they were the only thing I saw.
What seemed like half an hour or walking passed before the silver glow of an object caught my attention.
My eyes slightly widened.
The empty can sitting beside the tree.
"Huh?"
I walked up to it, kneeling down as I picked up the tin can.
"Im back here? How?"
"I… must've gotten turned around." I said standing straight.
"I need to pay more attention to my surroundings."
A nervous giggle followed my words as I looked west of the can.
"Let's try this way then."
I stayed sharp, trying my best to pay attention to the trees and greenery around me.
Another half an hour went by, and there it was again.
In the distance a glimmer from the sun reflected onto the silver can.
"What the…"
Rushing to the can I snatched it, looking around once more to see if anything changed.
Pausing for only a moment a wavering smirk crept upon my face.
Anxiety filled my head as it slightly began to pound.
The lid of the can is still laid in the same patch of grass I tossed it on.
My heart started to race as I stared at the lid.
I quickly grabbed it, using the edge of the lid to scrape it against the nearest tree.
One long line of carved bark ran down its trunk.
Taking a shaky first step I sighed with unease, stuffing both the can and lid into my sack.
I walked slower this time—more observant than before.
Everything looked normal. The trees, the bushes, even the clouds didn't dare move.
Everything is a carbon copy of how it was 10 minutes ago.
Another half an hour could've easily gone by without seeing that carving.
For a time I thought I was done walking in circles… finally started making progress—real progress.
The soles of my feet began to sore, every step followed by a stabbing sensation.
Despite the pain, I pushed forward.
I pushed and pushed… until I saw it. That distinct carving running down the tree's trunk.
My knees buckled beneath me.
I could feel the beating of my heart in the back of my head.
Hunching over sweat dropped from my forehead before soaking into the grass.
"Am I… stuck here?"
My throat tightened, my words coming out in a quiver. "Why… Why me?"
"Why?"
"Why?"
"Why?"
"WHY!?"
"WHY!?"
Tears, sweat, and blood all seeped into the ground beneath my fist.
"I…"
Pushing myself up through pain and sniffles I wiped my face with now bruised knuckles.
"I'm trapped."
**
Slurp…
"Ahh."
Standing with a sigh I stacked the empty can onto the others.
I glanced at the sack now stuffed with grass and kneeled beside it, laying my head in the center.
Closing my eyes I shifted to my side. I laid there for a while, arms crossed as the day passed, but I never did fall asleep.
Darkness slowly stretched over Zytra as the cool winds of night attacked my body.
Sitting up with a groan I reached into my pocket, grabbing a knife formed from the lid of a can.
I crawled to the nearest tree, stabbing my knife into the base of the trunk.
"That makes day… 61."
Scattered around the original carving on the bark, 60 other small markings covered the entire tree.
60 days.
60 attempts to escape.
Pulling my body back to the sack I laid down once again, closing my eyes and crossing my arms.
I could feel myself finally drifting to sleep, that is until a sharp sensation landed on my leg.
My body jolted up, quickly reaching for my knife.
My ankle… is wet?
Reaching my other hand out a singular snowflake dropped into my palm.
"Pfft."
A slight chuckle escaped my lips as I laid back down.
In no time, a few snowflakes turned into heavy snowfall.
Winds quickly accelerated, blowing away the tower of empty cans.
I couldn't help but break into laughter at the sight of my camp being destroyed.
The rustling trees sparked an idea within me, one so silly it was downright ridiculous.
I want to see the beautiful winter sky.
Snow already began to stick to the ground as I began searching for the perfect tree.
It only took a moment of walking before I found it, three trees tightly packed together—perfect for climbing.
Sticking my foot into a groove I grabbed onto another tree, pulling myself up as my arms jittered in strain.
Stab my foot into the tree, find a branch, pull.
The higher I got the more the tree swayed.
My arms burned, not with pain, but with determination.
Through the swaying trees, pouring snow and sore arms… this toothy grin couldn't escape my face.
I reached for the branches above me, pulling myself up with all my might as my head erupted through the leaves.
For a moment.
"Alex…"
What had to be millions of white specs glowed in the night sky.
Just… slowly falling as the hum of the wind danced to their tempo.
Just for a moment.
"Alex… these…"
I stuck my hand out as snowflakes filled in my palm.
Time stopped.
"These snowflakes truly are beautiful!"
Then it started again.
Watching the snowflakes melt in my palm I reached further into the sky.
I frantically grabbed at those white specs… each time swaying the trees I stood atop a little more.
I reached and reached, practically jumping to catch them.
Until I reached too far.
My body jolted as my foot slipped from the tree.
My hands dropped as I tried to catch myself on the branches, but each broke beneath my weight.
The tree tops began to cover the sky once more.
I can't tell how long I fell for, but it could've lasted a lifetime.
The sky became less visible little by little.
The cage closed again.
The cage I finally pried open.
It shut in my face.
I didn't scream.
I didn't cry.
I accepted it… accepted what I already knew long ago.
As the ground came closer a single word came to mind—or rather, a single name.
"Valer—"
**
I'm moving… no.
Something is moving me.
Dragging me.
My head pounded as I forced an eye open.
A wild beast dragged my numb body along, the tip of its claw pierced through my ankle.
Its heavy breaths drowned out my thoughts. The pure pressure made it hard to breathe.
Waves of pain rippled through my body with sharp, needle-like pokes every time snowflakes landed on my open wound.
A single flinch alerted the beast as it slowly turned.
I saw the bottom of its low hanging jaw first.
Thick, sticky saliva oozed from its bottom teeth, making a sploosh sound every time a droplet hit the snow.
Before I could react I was being flung through the air. My body cut through the snowstorm like a knife before crashing into a tree.
The impact knocked the wind out of my lungs, my body ragdolling into the snow.
Darting my head to the side through sharp, uneven gasps, the beast dropped from its hind legs to all fours.
Weariness tugged at my shoulders as the beast walked closer through distorted blurs.
The cold air stung the back of my throat with every forced breath.
My arms trembled beneath my body as I pushed myself up, gritting my teeth in pain when putting weight on my ankle.
The tree behind me acted as my spine, holding me up as the high snow now swallowed my feet.
"Well… this is bad." I muttered through pants and wheezes.
The beast stepped closer, exhaling in my face before widening its jaw.
It's over.
Its jaw locked.
Then slowly closed.
The beast raised its paw and in an instant its claw jolted forward, piercing my stomach along with the tree behind me.
Blood spewed from my mouth, dripping from my chin and painting the white blanket of snow beneath me a dark maroon.
The beast twisted its nail in my stomach as I let out a bone chilling scream—grimacing in pain as my body went limp.
All of it.
Was for nothing?
Their faces raced through my mind.
The time we shared.
"Pl—se… fam…ily."
Raising my arm with what felt like the remaining strength in my body my hand acted on its own.
I plunged my fingers into the beast's eye, ripping it out as it roared in pain.
It tried to pull its claw away, but it was lodged into the tree.
A voice called from inside me, not quite from my head… but from my soul… the deepest corner of my heart.
I won't let you die on me.
Grinding my teeth I gripped the claw, pushing with all my might as I forced it from my stomach.
Pushing myself further into the tree I swung my leg around as it slammed into the beast's neck.
It staggered back in pain, vigorously shaking its head.
A surge of power flowed through my body. My creativity was being consumed.
Slowing reaching towards my back pocket I gripped my once forgotten paintbrush.
"You fat bastard."
I stuck the tip of the paintbrush into the void of my stomach, slowly removing it as its hairs dripped of blood.
"A little lighter but close enough."
The beast roared as it began to charge towards me.
Its movements felt… slow.
"I only have one color, but I'll still turn you into a masterpiece!"