Setting

The dark shadows of the woods danced across the entrance to a small hole in the rocky cliff ahead. It was as though the trees took away the light leaving those beneath in complete darkness. This darkness seeped into the very soul leaving a person in a state of fear. The path I stood on was small and covered with fallen leaves from past autumns and hid the rich earth beneath.

I don't recall what brought me to this dark place but I know that it changed my life forever. For some reason I entered the small hole in the cliff and traveled down the pitch black darkness inside it. As the darkness engulfed me I could feel a chill run through my body that left me shivering.

I put my hand to the wall and began to follow the path without my eyes. I could hear the leathery flapping of wings bouncing off the walls. The tunnel began to expand into a vast cavern with a hole in the ceiling that let light into it.

The dim light revealed a small pond in the middle of the cavern. I slowly walked up to it and as I reached the edge a hand grabbed my shoulder.

I turned and tried to punch the person only to slip and land on top of him. I looked into his eyes to find one blue eye and one red eye staring back without blinking. "Who are you?" I asked without blinking.

"That depends on who is asking," he stated with a low timber.

"The same goes for me," I replied slowly.

He chuckled before putting his hands on my shoulders and lifting me to the side, only to set me on the ground again. "I see we are at an impasse then," he said with laughter in his eyes.

"Apparently."

"So what should we do about it?" he mused.

"You could explain why you're here," I tried.

"Nice try, but no dice," he said as he stood and brushed the mud of his pants. "But you're welcome to explain."

"No thank you."

"Then I suggest that you leave," he said as he walked away.

I got to my feet and looked in the little pond and looked inside only to find my reflection. I touched the water and suddenly its clear water turned into images from my past. A whole map of my life had been laid out in front of me. I jumped away and ran away as quickly as I could. Some parts of the past are better left alone rather than remembered.

I ran as far as I could through the forest and I never looked back.