Chapter 2.
As I reached the forest, I began to have second thoughts. The trees were much taller than I'd imagined, tearing above me like skyscrapers. I could barely even see a few meters in front without something blocking your view. But still, I couldn't very well turn back or walk around. The trees stretched far and wide. It would take more than three times as long to go around. And I didn't have the time nor energy for that.
Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that this forest was not to be messed with. And neither was the creatures lying within.
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I don't know how much time passed. It was impossible to tell. It was so dense that little light shined through the many layers of leaves. And the air was so thick it made you sick. And the mere ruffle of bushes was enough to send a shiver down my spine.
For a second I was lost in thought and in the next I could feel myself lose footing. Mud splashed in my face. Cold and disgusting. Not the best kind of welcome to a new world. My clothes were slightly torn in multiple places, but it was nothing major. Birds chittered above me as if mocking.
But despite that I kept walking. And finally, I could hear something different from the singing and chattering of birds. Water steaming down, splashing hard against rock roamed the air.
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It didn't take long to reach the steam. And thank God the water was clean. What would I have done if it wasn't? The trees had thinned out a bit around the steam, making me able to breathe again. But it was the image reflected in the water I paid most attention to. A man in his mid-twenties could be seen.
But despite being transferred to another world, my appearance hadn't changed the slightest. I still had long raven hair, half hiding my eyes. It was still covered in mud alongside most of my face. After splashing water on my face, the mud vanished. I ran a hand through my hair revealing my blood red eyes.
It wasn't that I hated my eyes, but I learned quickly that they caused nothing but trouble. Back in school I had gotten bullied, when getting a job, they always called it disturbing. People always asked me to cover them up or use contacts. It didn't really matter much to be, but contacts were expensive and a waste of time to use. So, in the end I grew my hair out and covered them up. Sighing I stood. It was no use dwelling on the past. I was given a new chance, so I should accept it with open hands.
But being too focused on my own reflecting I hadn't noticed the silence. There were no birds singing, no rattling bushes, no cracking branches. Just complete silence. And silence basically never meant anything good. But it was already too late. The moment I noticed the change; something hard hit the back of my head. My vision blurred and my mind went black. And the silence only deepened, as I was thrown into the roaring sea.