It was quiet. The only sound was the crunching of leaves beneath my feet. I took a deep breath and tried to calm my racing heart. The trees were dark and thick, blocking any and all light that might have tried to penetrate the canopy overhead. The air was damp and smelled like old leaves and earth. I took a step forward, and my feet sunk into the soft, loamy soil. I could smell the earth here, a sharp contrast to the sea air of my home.

The sun was low in the sky. It was a deep red ball that cast shadows across the ground. I could see the shadows of the trees against the red sky. I could hear the sound of the wind through the trees.

I felt the cold breeze of the wind against my face. I could hear the faint hum of the insects that lived in the trees. I could hear the sound of the leaves rustling in the wind as if they were whispering secrets to me. I turned in the direction of the sound and saw a small cave at the base of the mountain. Finally! So what was inside?

I took another step forward, and my foot sank into the soil. I could feel the soft earth beneath my feet. I inched forward, carefully, very slowly, and stopped when I reached the mouth of the cave. I peered inside, but could not see anything except a dark space.

I stood there, feeling my heart race. I could hear the sounds of the forest around me. I could smell the earth, and I could feel the wind. But what was inside the cave?

I heard the sound of something moving inside the cave. I could hear the sound of a body moving and shifting. I could feel the air change and the temperature drop. I could feel a presence there, and it was not friendly.

My skin itched, and I felt goosebumps rise on my arms. I heard something moving inside the cave. I could feel something watching me, something that did not want me to enter. I took a deep breath and slowly pushed the mouth of the cave open with my hand.

My heart sped up. I had been here before. I had been in the dark cave, and I had been chased inside by a dark presence. But I had not been afraid then.

I placed my wing in the soil and brushed the soft, cool dirt against my feathers. I could feel the soil give way to the roots of the trees, and I could feel the stones beneath my hand. I slowly lifted my wing out of the soil and placed it by my side. I took a step forward, and my foot sank into the soil.

My heart was in my throat, pounding loudly. I could feel the blood rushing through my veins. I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my body. I took another step forward, and my foot sank into the soft, loamy earth.

I looked around and waited for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. Soon enough I began looking around cautiously. My eyes immediately fell upon a small, circular portal looking object. It was about the size of a door, and it was made of iron. It was also in the center of the dark space inside the cave. I could feel the air change.

My heart raced. I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins, and I could smell the sour odor of fear. My eyes darted around in the darkness, looking for anything that could help me, but there was nothing. I could feel the presence of a force, and I could feel the presence of a being.

I had to get out of there.

I walked towards the portal. I wanted to get out of the cave, and I wanted to get home.

I reached out, and I could feel the coolness of the iron. I pushed against it, and it moved. It was not a solid door, it was more like a flimsy curtain. I pushed it, and it moved.

I pushed against the portal, and it swung open easily. I gasped as bright light flooded into the dark cave. I squinted my eyes, and then I took a step forward. My foot sank into nothing, giving way and causing my whole body to tumble into the portal.

My whole chicken body disappeared as I heard a low growl...