Lost Memories

By Crimsondrop7

Chapter 3: First Pain

A blast of light penetrated her eyelids. She opened one of her azure eyes and saw a beautiful array of colors stretch across the sky. Her eyes nonchalantly slid towards the ground. She let out a shriek, instinctively closing her eyes. A leaf grazed her arm, forcing her eyes open again. Before she was able to grasp any rational thought, her feet touched ground.

“What in the world?”

She quivered, cold air seeping through her clothes. Kaya looked down to find herself ankle-deep in mud. She grabbed a tree branch only to pull her hand back in surprise. Her hand was bloody. She looked closer and saw the tree was covered in thorns, like a rose stem. Kaya brushed herself off and began to formulate a plan.

She had to find a way out of the forest. She especially didn’t want to be around when night came. Maybe… if she was higher… she could see the edge of the forest.

Kaya eyed the trees warily and sighed. She didn’t really have much of a choice. Just as she was about to leave, she tripped over something and crashed to the ground. Kaya screamed in frustration, her patience finally reached its breaking point. Her glare went to her feet, eyes widening in recognition. She’d stumbled over the book that had transported her here!

Faya seized the book, the key still in the lock. She flipped through the pages and to her disappointment, found them blank. She closed the book, locked it, and put the key around her neck. She should probably hold onto the book; it might be important.

Faya continued her search for a tree. She spotted a large one to her right. She cautiously touched the tree; she had to make sure it wouldn’t cut her hands like that last one. It didn’t. She climbed slowly but surely.

She couldn’t believe the view from that tree. Kaya could see for miles at this height. She squinted her eyes, seeing the line of trees end in the distance. Behind Kaya, there was nothing but tree, trees, and more trees. But in front of her, she could see an ending of forestry. So she should keep moving forward.

And judging by the sun’s position in the sky… She’d say the direction is North East. Kaya quickly climbed down the tree trunk and set down her path. Hours passed and still no signs of life. The sun in the sky was slowly setting, warning she should find someplace safe to sleep.

Kaya found two sturdy branches in a tall tree. She carefully laid herself across them. Kaya knew before she even closed her eyes that she would get no sleep tonight. Sleeping at this height could be her death fall, literally.

The sun finally showed its golden rays. She took one last look at the East, estimating how long the travel will be. Maybe one day, if she didn’t rest for long. Within seonds, Kaya was back on the ground. She paced herself, making sure she wouldn’t have to rest. She grinned. Kaya was making good time; she’d traveled for a good length.

The forest was noticeably more open with fewer trees. At this rate, maybe she’ll make it before nightfall! Kaya hoped so. The weary girl pressed onward. The sun was setting fast. There were only a few hours of daylight left, then darkness. Even though her body was tired, she had to make it.

Kaya watched as the last few rays of light disappeared from the sky. She could feel the forest as night settled. Dark creatures flew through the air and shrieked came from trees. Kaya’s skin was covered in goosebumps. She rubbed her arms trying to rid them.

A hiss and the pounding of feet sounded behind her. She turned around to find nothing there. Frightened, she turned around again, walking faster. The same sound returned again, only in front of her. She stopped, seeing something move in the shadow. It walked from the shadows, making Kaya’s eyes widened in horror.

Its sharp claws glinted dangerously in the light. The scaly long tail waved back and forth playfully. It eyes glowed bright red while it seemed to grin through mouthful of fangs.

Kaya was petrified. She urged her body to move, but it wouldn’t; her limbs were frozen with fear. The creature hissed, spit flying everywhere. A drop landed on her arm. It sizzled, burning her skin like acid. She jumped from the pain.

She had to run. She had to bypass the creature and continue onward. There was no other choice. The creature lunged with its jaws. Kaya sidestepped to the right, avoiding its teeth, but took a hit from its claws. She received a slash across her left thigh.

She feigned right then ran left only to meet its tail. On instinct, Kaya crossed her arms in front of her face. Her feet spread apart, bracing her body for the impact, but she wasn’t ready for the pain. The tail’s spikes stabbed her arms quite nicely. Tears stung her eyes, but she no time to cry. The creature turned its body to lunge at her back. She panicked. She tried to free her arms from the spikes and cried out in pain. They were lodged into her arms deeply.

Lifting up one of her feet, Kaya kicked the tail from her arms. Fire shot through her arms. She jumped to her right just in time for the creature’s claws scrape her hip. Instead of tasting human blood, the creature sunk its teeth into its own tail. It let out a roar of pain and immediately let go of its tail. The creature looked around to find the girl gone. It snarled in anger, following her fresh scent.

Up ahead, Kaya was running as fast as her legs could carry her. Fear was the only thing compelling her. Branches furiously whipped her body, ripping her clothes, leaving behind red blazing marks. She strained her eyes to see clearly, everything was so fuzzy.

Kaya spotted a break in the line of trees. With renewed determination, Kaya sped up, exiting noisily. She kept running before skidding to an unexpected stop.

“No! It can’t be!” She cried out in desperation.

At the edge of the forest was indeed an open field. About twenty feet in, and the open field turned into a cleft was about 50 feet wide. She swallowed thickly, staring down. That would be some fall. She kicked a clump of dirt to test her theory. It fell until she could see it no more.

Kaya let out an exasperated sigh. She walked along the edge, hoping she could find a dead tree or something long to help her cross. On the bright side of things, she wouldn’t have to worry about monsters anymore. Little did she know that a pair of angered red eyes watched from the forest, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

The sky grew unusually dark with gray clouds. Kaya groaned. Her body was sore. She felt faint from the loss of blood. She has hungry and cold. She hated the way her clothes stuck to her like a second skin. She hated how the raindrops felt like acid on her wounds. She hated the cold wind that goose-bumped on her skin. The cold pellets of rain turned her dried blood liquid again. She clutched the book to her chest and stared at canopy of trees uneasily.

Would it be safe for her to enter the forest again? A clap of thunder and a flash of lightening convinced her otherwise.

Kaya found a sturdy tree and began to climb it. She froze in mid-climb when an eerily familiar hiss came from below her. She dreadfully looked down to find angry red eyes and a grinning mouth. The creature gave a roar and started clambering up the tree. Kaya climbed faster, the bark biting her hands. Her hand slipped on a branch and she nearly fell; her other handhold saved her.

The creature saw its chance and reached a claw up to her back. Kaya screamed at the top of her lungs, feeling its claws rip through her skin. She kicked away the appendage forcing the creature to become unbalanced. It snapped at her foot, but she pulled it away too fast. Kaya jumped the branch to her right and swung down, kicking the creature entirely off the trunk. It fell to the ground with sickening thud.

Kaya hung there for a few moments, trying to regain her breath. Darkness fringed the edges of her vision. She knew she was fading, and fast. Kaya grasped the trunk and resumed climbing again. Nearly at the top of the tree, she settled on a few sturdy branches, and finally let the darkness consume her.

………………………………………………………………………………

Sorry it took me so long. Next chapter coming up sometime near Xmas; Hope you liked this one!