Trees swell and tower over you, and the path ahead fades into shaded mystery. The sign at the start of the path warns you to be wary of [[wildlife->1]] recently spotted in the area. You know that the raccoons and ravens are harmless in comparision to the real danger that lies in these woods.
Creatures not of this plane inhabit this forest.
Ahead of you lies a carefully carved out, purposeful [[gravel]] path for humans to stick to, and a barely visible [[gap]] hidden amongst some bushes, from within a set of [[eyes]] glare at you.You stare back at the eyes for a moment, before they dissappear into the hidden trail. You quickly follow them, and feel like your body [[no longer belongs to you.]]You can't tell exactly how many [[eyes->1]], or to what they belong to, but they make you feel uneasy.
(click-replace:"uneasy.") [at home.]You continue along the gravel path as intended. Birds watch over you from above, and deer gaze at you from behind trees. But no matter what you do, no matter how far you walk, you can't shake the feeling that someone, or something, is watching.
As you follow the trail you look around, keeping alert at all times. You can't shake the feeling that you're being followed, even though you're the only one on the trail.
About half way down the trail, a figure is standing with its back turned to you. Shrouded in a cloak black as the night, you sense a set of eyes staring at you from within the cloak.
You can't tell exactly how many [[eyes->yeehaw]], or to what they belong to, but they make you feel uneasy.
(click-replace:"uneasy.") [on edge.]No sunlight shines on this hidden trail, yet you have no troubles seeing. The air feels thick, and time ticks by at a snails' pace.
A figure is standing with its back turned to you. Shrouded in a cloak black as the night, you sense a set of eyes staring at you from within the [[cloak. ->cloak2]]You think for a moment, your [[knife->knife2]] hanging heavy on your belt. Your heart pounds in your ears, as you think about what to say.
[["Hello?"]]
[["Are you lost?"]]
[[(remain silent, and try to move past them.)]]"Hello," the cloak responds. Slowly, the wearer turns around. The eyes belong to Them, whatever they are. Slim, pixie-like features are framed softly by the blackness of the cloak. They smile at you.
"Can I have your name?" They ask.
[["Yes, its (y/n)."]]
[["No, but I'll tell you my name, its (y/n)."]]
[["My apologies, but no. I'll be on my way."]]"Oh my no, I'm exactly where I need to be." The figure speaks in hushed tones as They turn around to look at you.
The eyes belong to Them, whatever they are. Slim, pixie-like features are framed softly by the blackness of the cloak. They smile at you.
"Can I have your name?" They ask.
[["Yes, its (y/n)."]]
[["No, but I'll tell you my name, its (y/n)."]]
[["My apologies, but no. I'll be on my way."]]As you make your way past the cloaked figure, you accidentally brush their side. They snarl softly under their breath. When you turn around to apologize, you see nothing but the woods surrounding you. You continue your hike, [[unsettled. ]]They begin laughing. Softly at first, then louder and louder.
"Oh, how lovely, I've always wanted a human of my own!"
You're baffeled. "What do you mean?" you ask.
Suddenly, They lunge at you. Their black cloak wraps itself around your body, dissolving into your skin. They grab your wrists, ankles, neck, torso, and finally your waist
Hissing and screeching erupts into the air, They stumble back, clutching their hand.
"Wretched! Hiding that metal the way that you did! Consider yourself lucky, never let that iron leave your side."
[[You blink.]]"Ah, very well then."
They continue to stand in the middle of the path, scanning your body with their many eyes. Disgust and horror washes over their face suddenly, and they [[vanish.]][[You blink.]]Trees swell and tower over you, and the path ahead fades into speckles of light peeking though the openings in the leaves above. // What a beautiful day for a walk,// you think as you follow the trail.
"Ah, very well then."
They continue to stand in the middle of the path, scanning your body with their many eyes. Disgust and horror washes over their face suddenly, and they [[vanish.->vanish2]]You look around. The feeling you had of being watched was never there.
The the figure in the cloak never existed.
Trees swell and tower over you. The path ahead of and behind you is speckled with light shining down through the tree tops. You remember the sign at the start of the trail, maybe its time to go home.
(click-replace:"remember") [forget]
(click-replace:"home.") [further.]
You don't dare let your focus shift from the figure as you fumble around your belt, feeling for your [[knife.]] Your heart sinks to your stomach as you realize that it must have fallen off earlier.
A voice emerges from the cloak as the wearer slowly turns around to face you. Slim, pixie-like features are framed softly by the blackness of the cloak. They smile at you.
"Well, look at what we have here." They say softly, gazing into your eyes
Try as you might, you can't break eye contact with the being that stands before you.
Try as you might, you can't speak to the being that stands before you.
"You're quite foolish, following me into my world." They step closer to you, but you can't move as they approach.
"Can I have your name?" they ask.
[["It's (y/n)"]]
[["No."]]Your father's bowie knife, made from the finest German steel, and thus, iron. The lucky charm that once stood between you and trouble, is [[gone->cloak2]]Your father's bowie knife, made from the finest German steel, and thus, iron. Its the lucky charm that stands between you and [[trouble.->yeehaw]]You open your mouth, trying desperately to form any words at all, but nothing leaves your lips.
They laugh at your struggle, mocking you as you struggle to talk.
"I suppose it doesn't matter too much anyway. You were the one who dared tresspass into my world uninvited, and now you owe me."
They reach for you, Their black cloak wraps itself around your body, and dissolves into your skin. They grab your wrists, ankles, neck, torso, and finally your [[waist ->owo]]You manage to choke the words out, and as you do, They smile menacingly at you.
Once the words have left your mouth, you realize its too late.
You've given yourself over to [[Them,]] you'll never have your body back.You'll never have your body back, but for some strange reason, you feel at home.