Chapter 2: See You Again

Aya’s POV

We are here. I could feel it. All of us do.

Anyone would instantly have an idea that this is no ordinary forest. Even these three men are obviously scared out of their wits.

We are still at the outside of it though. And in front of me is this eerie silent tall lump of lifeless trees that looks like death itself. Trying to steal your precious life right in front of your eyes.

“You go with her! I was tired carrying both of you.” The giant one said to his comrade.

“He should!” The one at my back pointed to the slimmest one. “He didn't do a single damn thing!”

“Hey! I was the one who spotted her, you dumbasses!” The last one defended.

I could only sigh and roll my eyes. How annoying of them to see trying to save themselves. The mere luxury of it irks me so.

One of them suddenly had this bright idea. (Which just annoyed me more) “Let's just send her in. As if she could escape there alive.”

I immediately look at them and frown. “Geez, are you guys really men?”

I know there were rumors up North at Cladbridge about Bloodbury’s forest eating up wolves but I still refused to believe it.

Because how could I?

When there was even a time where this area was used as a field trip or something to test its neighboring wolf’s strength and wits. I heard that it was quite a match.

“Nice try making us mad to accompany you inside but hell no. You don't have any idea how worse this forest is now..” The one who rode at my back commented. The rest of them looked at each other and then..

“AHHHHH!”

That overacting yell was of course, me. I screamed my heart out when the giant one picked me up like nothing and literally tossed me inside. I instantly got up on my toes, (after cursing at them!) and was about to jump out but suddenly, it felt like I was being vacuumed inside.

It sucks to feel that the last faces I saw were the three of them smirking.

And then, there was silence.. One that could make anyone go crazy and just simply want to end their life. I heaved a huge breath and started walking.

Looking around the whole woods, I noticed some marks and dents across some tree trunks.

This is obviously a training area way back in the past. I swear I could even feel and hear some laughter and teasing of some of the wolves who used to be here. Is this real??

What on earth happened here?

The moment I thought of that, I stepped into something.

Oh shit..

I immediately ran for my life while trying to evade all the spears that rained in my direction. The moment the two of them managed to glide and cut my cheek and arm it stopped.. Only for some logs to suddenly pop out of nowhere.

And I really meant “nowhere”. Because some of them even came from the ground and above me. This time, I didn't let it touch me since I used it to my advantage.

I hopped on one log to evade the other as it continued to pop in all directions. That went on for thirty minutes straight! Thank Goddess I never skip my small daily workout..

When it stopped, not a breath later, there were these big balls of thorns swaying all around. At this point I am so tired and emotionally drained with all the things that took place today.

But still, I managed to escape some of them but one got me and it scraped my whole back.

This time blood was dripping all over the ground. And because of that, it felt like the woods got too excited tasting their favorite meal again.

Because..

Twigs were suddenly wrapped all over my limbs. Trying to restrict my movements. I tried everything in my power to break free but I can’t..

I fell on the ground as the twigs hugged me tight. Then the ground moved. Heading north, I presume.

I tried my best to retaliate again and escape but I simply just couldn't. These trees are clinging at me for dear life.

Literally..

But I did not give up. As if I would.. I squirmed and used up all of my energy until I exerted all of said energy. The forest was eerie quiet again and at the same time it was not. It feels like you heard something, but there was no sound. Goddess, now I feel like I’m going insane..

“I swear they said that this isn't used to be this dangerous.. Wanna strangle and drag them here with me..” I muttered to myself while still trying to unbind these damned sticks!

‘A useless act..’ I heard someone say as I dumbly looked around the area. But there was no one. So I just presume that now this forest can talk. Just great.

“And now.. a talking forest too.” I wiggled and wiggled but the more that I did, the more that it tightened its grip.

‘Why try? You know you can’t escape.’

“Well, I just can't wait here and die now can I?” Now if there's just something around here that can help me…

‘A futile one. From a wolfless girl like you..’

I froze. Not because of what it said, but because I heard something..

Screams.. People pleading for their lives. Wolves trying to get out.

But I know they are already dead and all of these are either their souls or the forest trying to scare me.

I gulped and then the twigs put me in an upright position so that I could see this massive red area.

It looked like the ground was drenched in blood with how red it looked like. And I just know that it really was blood.

There was no mistaking it as it also smells like one.

The whole forest echoed with evil laughter and I feel the twigs are trying to lift me up and dump me to this huge hole.

But then–

It happened so fast that I didn't even process what really took place. I was ready to condemn and curse at the Moon Goddess for my poor life, but someone broke the twigs and grabbed me.

And then–

Pure white fur..

The one who saved me wolfed out and is now carrying me at his back. This warm cozy fur felt so damn familiar that I cried and passed out.

But before I did, I mentioned his name and could feel him tensed.

“Johanis…”