What is going on?
Her mind was a whirlwind, memories replaced only by a pressing darkness and an overwhelming sense of dread. The world around her seemed to meld into an indecipherable blur of colors and sounds, save for a few stark images that carved themselves into her psyche.
She felt heat behind her and moved away to see a barn engulfed in flames and hear the angry roar of the fire. Panic tightened her chest, the acrid smoke stinging her eyes and throat, making it difficult to breathe. The silhouette of a black equine figure, massive and menacing, reared up against the backdrop of the inferno.
A second horse came into view with a man riding it whose voice was melodic, yet she instinctively felt a strong distaste toward him. Her mind felt fuzzy, and she couldn’t make out his words; but his tone made her feel angry and hostile. Another voice joined in, this one closer, filled with urgency. The frantic beat of hooves on the ground crescendoed, coming faster and faster toward her. Then she spotted an ogre charging toward her, and she panicked.
In her disoriented state, one thought energized her—escape. With adrenaline fueling her every step, she darted toward the looming forest ahead, its dense foliage promising refuge from the madness behind her.
But even as she ran, hooves followed her, echoing in her ears. Risking a glance over her shoulder, she caught the shimmer of moonlight reflecting off something sharp and deadly. The black unicorn, with its rider atop, was gaining on her. The gleaming horn, majestic yet terrifying in the silvered light, seemed to be reaching out for her.
The woods were close now, their dark embrace beckoning her forward. Branches and underbrush snagged at her clothing; but she pressed on, the fear of what pursued her driving her deeper into the forest’s depths, praying that the night would shield her from the relentless hunt.
With every hurried step she took, the underbrush grew denser, tangling around her legs and threatening to trip her with each stride. Her heart thundered in her chest, its rapid pace in tune with the crashing sounds that chased her. The moonlight filtered weakly through the thick canopy, creating a mosaic of light and shadows that played tricks on her eyes. Yet the fear that had ignited her flight pressed her on.
Soon, the ominous pounding of hooves grew fainter, replaced by the sounds of the night forest: the distant call of an owl, the rustling of leaves, the chirp of crickets. She risked slowing down, using the tall trees as cover, listening intently for any sign that she was still being pursued. When nothing but the symphony of the forest met her ears, exhaustion began to seep into her bones.
Searching for a secure place to rest and hide, she soon came upon a thicket covered in dense moss and low-hanging branches. Its natural enclosure offered a safe refuge; and she crawled in, pulling the foliage over the entrance to conceal herself further.
Once ensconced in her makeshift hideout, the weight of her confusion pressed down on her. Panic bubbled to the surface as she tried to grapple with her scattered thoughts. The burning barn, the menacing unicorn, the men shouting—what did it all mean? Her mind felt like a puzzle with most of its pieces missing.
She reached for memories, for any inkling of her identity, but was met with frustrating emptiness. "Who am I?" she whispered into the darkness. Her voice sounded foreign to her ears, the words echoing back with no answers.
Closing her eyes, she tried to summon any recollection or hint of her past, but it was like grasping at smoke. A growing sense of loss enveloped her, making it harder to breathe. She felt adrift in a vast sea of darkness, a stranger to herself.
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As the hours ticked by, the exhaustion of her harrowing escape overcame her, pulling her into a restless slumber. Even in sleep, though, her mind continued to search for answers, hoping that dawn might bring with it some semblance of clarity. But her dreams kept being drawn back to two glowing, menacing eyes.
***
The sun had just begun to send its first rays through the dense canopy, casting the shadows of leaves on the forest floor. She was jerked awake by the sound of rustling leaves and soft footfalls. Her heart raced, thoughts still muddled by sleep and the weight of her lost memories. Without a second thought, her fingers dug into the soft, loamy soil, clasping onto a fallen branch. It was rough and uneven, the bark peeling off in some places; but it felt sturdy enough to be used as a makeshift weapon. She held it high, ready to defend herself from any threat.
Just as she was steeling herself for a confrontation, a curious creature bounded into her view. The sight of it was both strange and oddly endearing. It stood roughly at knee's height, its body resembling the playful frame of a puppy. However, it had pronounced front claws, sharp and gleaming, reminiscent of an eagle's talons. Those sharp claws seemed in stark contrast to the two delicate wings that lay flat against its back, feathers soft and iridescent.
Her grip on the stick tightened, her knuckles turning white. But as she peered into the creature's eyes, she saw no malice. Instead, there was a playful glint, which was reinforced when the creature wagged its tail energetically, almost like a delighted dog.
"Whoa...easy there," she whispered, lowering the stick just slightly, still unsure of the creature's intentions.
But any doubts were soon dispelled as it trotted over and gave her a gentle lick. Its tongue was soft, and the touch was unexpectedly comforting. It then let out a series of chirps, the sound mimicking the melodious calls of a bird. As it nestled closer, leaning into her touch, its body radiated a gentle warmth that seemed to ease her jumbled thoughts.
"You're...not what I expected," she remarked with a soft chuckle, her fingers now gently gliding through the creature's fur and feathers, feeling the soft down of its wings underneath. "But I'm glad you're here. I could use a friendly face." She paused, looking into the creature's trusting eyes. "Where did you come from, little one? Do you know this forest?"
The creature rolled over, exposing its belly, a clear invitation for more petting. As her fingers moved in gentle strokes, she felt a calming influence emanate from the small being. It was as if this creature, against all odds, recognized her, even if she didn't recognize herself.
In the silence of the forest, punctuated by the chirping of distant birds, she found herself pouring her heart out to the small creature.
"I don't know where you came from, little one, but I'm grateful you're here," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Everything feels so strange, so lost. I don't even know who I am."
The creature made a soft whining sound and nestled even closer, as if trying to comfort her. Its warmth seeped into her, chasing away the chill of the night and the fear that had gripped her.
She hesitated for a brief moment before leaving the shelter of the thick brambles that surrounded her hidden thicket. Every fiber of her being whispered cautions of danger. But staying in one place felt like a trap, and the pressing need to distance herself from the unfamiliar chaos was undeniable.
As she emerged, she felt the brush of soft fur against her ankle. The puppy-like creature, with its curious amalgamation of features, was faithfully trotting behind her, its feathery wings twitching occasionally, mimicking its evident excitement. She found a small comfort in its presence—a tiny beacon of familiarity in a world that felt increasingly alien to her.
The woods around her grew denser, with tall pine trees reaching toward the sky, their needles forming a thick carpet underfoot. Birds flitted from branch to branch, their songs filling the air with a gentle melody that felt oddly incongruent with the turmoil inside her heart.
She had to rely on her instincts. The events from the night before were a blur. Flashes of memory—a roaring fire, an ogre, and those two men. The first, with his determined gaze atop that fantastical creature—a unicorn. The wonder of such a sighting was clouded by the fear that gripped her when the man riding the magical creature pursued her. The other man, though, instilled a deeper dread within her—a visceral response that told her he meant harm. She couldn’t risk going back there.
As she trudged deeper into the woods, she grappled with the turmoil in her mind. Why didn’t she remember anything? She could name some of the plants around her, but it seemed like she couldn’t grasp onto any personal memories. The weight of not knowing pressed heavily upon her, but the overwhelming sentiment was clear: distance was her only refuge.