Chapter 1- Ivy
I didn’t know where I was, I couldn’t see anything in the terrifying darkness that engulfed me, silence intensifying the fear that tightened my chest. I was floating in nothingness, I couldn’t see, hear or smell anything and I was seemingly trapped in a dark void. I was there for what seemed like hours, fear gripping me like a thousand cold hands, freezing me in place and never loosening its hold on me.
All of a sudden a bright light burned my eyes, searing through to my head. I flinched away and shut my eyes tightly, still terrified and willing this to go away, begging to get out of here, away from the fear and struggling to get used to the new return of my senses. I finally forced my eyes open, slowly, carefully until I managed to look into the light. I saw a familiar sight before me. I was standing in a forest clearing covered with thick green grass, dotted with flowers and surrounded by blossom trees. I spun around in terror, taking in the peaceful- looking trees and squinting at the sunlight that streamed through the leaves. The air was filled with the sweet scent of spring blossom; it was a setting that anyone would find serene and beautiful. But I knew what was to come.
A boy of around thirteen with floppy hair ran out from behind the trees, laughing and slowing down to a stop. He crouched down to his knees, breathing heavily and brushing his fiery red hair away from his deep chocolate brown eyes. I recognized him instantly. His hands rested on his grass-stained jeans and he stared at the lush grass, still laughing softly. My heart ached at the sight of this boy who was so unaware of what was coming, so happy. Another figure stepped out from the trees and giggled at the boy. “Noah, we have to go! Mum wants us home for dinner now, stop daydreaming you are literally are staring at grass!” the girl said, stepping towards the boy. I recognized her too.
The boy stood, turning to his sister. “Sorry, just got lost in thought there.” He said brightly, beginning to walk towards the girl. She looked into the trees ahead and a look of pure terror swept across her face, her whole body shook and she staggered backward. Frozen in place, I watched on in horror, waiting for it to come. A low growl rumbled through the forest and a dark shape erupted from the trees behind the boy. He turned in shock and he too froze at the sight of the creature. It was shrouded in shadows, but its bared teeth sparkled and its huge body was tense, ready for a fight. “Noah run!” the girl screamed, beginning to step back again until she managed to break into a run in the opposite direction, dragging her brother behind her. I stepped forwards, already knowing what was coming and desperate to save them. The creature locked eyes on the boy, another growl rumbled in its throat and it began to head towards them. The girl and her brother ran for their lives, both shaking with fear and running as fast as their legs could carry them.
As they ran the boy’s foot caught on a tree root, causing him to fall and graze his hands and knees as he hit the ground. The girl cursed loudly and tried to pull her brother up from the ground. He screamed in pain and fear as he saw the creature speeding towards them, snapping its teeth in their direction. He scrambled to his feet and began limping away from the huge creature that was relentlessly chasing after them; the boy was being dragged by his desperate, trembling sister. That was when their pursuer caught up to them.
I flinched as the creature locked its huge jaws around the boy’s leg and began pulling him away from the girl, who was screaming for him to get away, begging him to become free of the monster’s clutches. His screams filled the air as the creature bit down harder in response to his struggle to get to his sister. She watched on helplessly as her brother was thrown to the ground and bitten viciously again and again until his screams quietened to a terrified whimper. Tears streamed down her cheeks and fell to the ground and she silently sobbed. She was forced to watch her brother being mercilessly attacked. I wanted nothing more but to help her, but I couldn’t. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t help her and I knew what was going to happen next.
A grotesque snap echoed through the trees as the creature bit down on the boy’s neck, snapping it. The girl let out a bloodcurdling scream that sent another wave of fear and shock through me. She turned and ran, crying and saying her brother’s name over and over like chanting it would bring him back. But that wouldn’t happen. I knew because she was me. He was my brother. And that was his death just one year ago.
I woke in a cold sweat, tears rolling down my cheeks from the horrific memory of Noah’s death. I shook violently and wanted so badly to forget, to bring him back. But I couldn’t forget or bring my brother back. I had to live with not knowing what that creature was that killed him and that I had had to stand and watch as he was ripped apart in front of me. My sleep was riddled with unbelievably vivid dreams that forced me to relive his death over and over again.
I willed myself to sit up and managed to avert my attention to my room. I had countless beautiful pictures of foxes stuck to my walls, and many figurines and models of them too. I loved foxes. In my eyes they were perfect. They were intelligent, loyal and completely adorable, so basically everything I wanted to be.
My phone vibrated and the song ‘I want it that way’ began to play. I answered the call and heard my best friend’s panicked voice through the speaker.
“Ivy, come to my house quick.” She said hurriedly. Upon hearing the urgent tone in her voice, the corners of my mouth dropped into a frown.
“What? Willow, It’s six o’clock in the morning I just woke up, what’s so urgent?” I asked drowsily, beginning to change into a t-shirt and jeans. I still couldn’t think straight from the shock of waking up from a nightmare and being demanded to move so quickly.
“Please,” she begged, “Trust me; I have to tell you something really important.” She told me.
“Okay, don’t panic, I’m coming as fast as I can,” I said, attempting to calm her down. I hung up the call and shoved my phone into my jean pocket, stepping out of my room and running down the stairs towards the front door, my body still heavy with sleep. My stomach was in knots as I considered all of the things she could need to tell me so badly.
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