Duality

Chapter 1 There was darkness all around me. As I walked through the thicket of trees, I stumbled over roots and small bushes. Trying to feel my way out of the forest. Fear caused my stomach to knot and feel heavy, as though rocks were sitting in the pit of my stomach. My throat felt swollen. I felt as if I was chocking as terror rose within my body. I could hardly see anything around me. With each passing tree I felt the rough texture of the bark; stopping every so often to remember to breathe. All around me was silence, which made me more afraid. I started walking again, unsure of the direction I was going or what was looming around me. I was hoping to chance upon a road or a trail that would direct me in some sort of way. Instead, I was aimlessly wandering about this unknown wooded area. Suddenly I heard a rustle of leaves. I could not tell if someone was approaching or if some creature was around trying to find its way around like I was. I heard the crunching of leaves. I stood frozen in terror, hiding myself behind the nearest tree trunk. I closed my eyes, trying to remind myself to breath and be calm. I heard footsteps coming closer to me. Although I was not sure which direction they were coming from. I slid down the trunk of the tree and sat on the damp ground, pulling my knees close and buried my head between them. All I could do was listen. Praying that whatever or whoever it was would be gone soon, so I could continue to find my way out of this abyss. My breath was shallow, my heart racing. The beating of my heart was so loud I could swear that whatever was out there could hear it also. Trying to relax a bit, I concentrated on the immediate area around me. A brisk breeze began to flow. As the treetops began to sway the noise of rusting leaves diverted my attention. I tried to regain my hearing by blocking out the sound of the rustling leaves. Whatever was out there was still around me. I could feel the presence as if it were stalking me in the darkness. I stayed in the fetal position hoping and praying I would be able to find my way out alive. The wind finally subsided. I was able to hear once more, but there was nothing. I was not sure if I should be relieved or more frightened. I stayed where I was with my head buried between my knees, trying to regain my composure. Satisfied with the circumstances. I raised my head to determine if I could see any better in the darkness. No such luck. There was only darkness and black shadows in the short distance before me. I was unable to decipher if a bush, or an animal, was around me. The darkness seemed to have swallowed everything around me, leaving me in pitch black. Uncertainty and destitution began to drive me. I checked my surroundings knowing that if my eyes didn’t work here, my ears did. I took a deep breath and rose off the ground slowly, just to make sure I was alone. If there was something out there, I didn’t want to gain it’s attention. I kept my eyes closed as I rose up, concentrating on my own movement, ensuring I made little to no sound. I was afraid if there really was something in front of me. Maybe I could feel its presence instead of only relying on my ears. Silence. Fear enveloped me once again, keeping me frozen in terror. I could still feel a presence around me. I suddenly felt hot breath on the back of my neck. My body began to shake in terror. With my back against the tree I could not see anything and I was not sure if I really wanted to. I opened my eyes eagerly to find a route of escape, hoping to see some sign of exit, or at least let my intuition guide me. As my fear rose within me, hope was dwindling, my eyes were not adjusting to the black void I was trapped in. I needed to get out and find my way back to safety. Without a plan, I began to run as fast as my legs could take me. It seemed as though every third step I took, I tripped over a root or bush of some kind. I felt the ground below me shift as it seemed to change to an incline. I was struggling up the hill, soon finding myself on all fours crawling my way to the top. I glanced back to see if there was anything behind. Whatever it was that was breathing on me, was too close for comfort. I found myself alone. Defeated, I turned to sit on the hill I was attempting to conquer. My mind was reeling with many things; I did not know how to react first. Tears started streaming down my cheeks. I was not sure how to feel about what was happening to me. Several different emotions were swirling around, seeming to be out of control. But yet, relieved I was no longer in the presence of whatever was out there took precedence over all else. Realizing I was still in dire circumstance, I wiped my tears away and looked up to regain my composure. As I was catching my breath I peered out into the darkness, in the direction from which I came. I noticed something: Two large glowing red eyes watching me. I heard a wrestling in the bush beside me. I jumped and swung my head around to see what it could be. But of course I couldn’t see anything. I suddenly heard the sound of wings flapping off into the distance. Terrified, helpless, and most certainly lost; I felt as though my heart was going to beat out of my chest. I looked back once more in the direction I saw the red eyes, to my relief they were gone. I was completely terrified. I turned around once more trying to get to the top of the steep inclining ground. I could feel the soft ground mushing between my fingers as I crawled forward with all the energy I had left. Success, I made it to the top! I was exhausted from anxiety and desperation, I collapsed onto the ground. My eyes closed for what seemed like a moment. When I sat up I was in fight or flight mode. To my bewilderment I was in my bedroom, in my bed. I could not understand what just happened. My eyes searched the room. I was unable to move, in shock from all that just happened. Suddenly my alarm sounded, making me jump. This infernal beeping I endured every morning should have been something I was used to. It took me a few moments to compose myself. I took a deep breath and convinced myself it must have been a horrible nightmare. Satisfied with my rationalization. I concluded it was time to start my regular morning routine, to get ready for another day.