AN: ADR is a short one shot I wrote about the IPhone app called "A Dark Room." This is an app that has truly changed my life and, well, inspired me to write this. It is a text based game that allows you to control a village and make tough decisions ADR has a lot of deep and emotional attachment to it so I'd highly recommend you go and check it out. Any who enjoy my first (maybe last) chapter!
ADR
Have you ever felt alone? Felt on the cusp of insanity, or feeling like you're on the brink of going mad? Have you ever wondered your purpose in life? There's a world to explore, but it's to dark and twisted to even know where to begin. Well, all life's adventures start with a single step. And I tell you, light the fire, and start your journey as I have.
Oh, you want to hear my story do you then?
The world was dark as I woke up, my head still feeling groggy. The area around me was dark and open, although I still felt trapped, as if the creepers I lay on top of were slowly suffocating me, growing tighter, tighter.
My head pounds and I reach toward it with my hands. After feeling the smoothness of my light skin, I sit up, and examine my surroundings. My lucidness starts to return. In front is a clearing surrounded by firs, and other assortment of trees. I sway in my seat made up of broken branches and weeds, before pushing myself off of the ground, meanwhile leaning on a nearby tree for support. My thoughts were fuzzy and my brain felt mushy. Recalling any memory proved a difficult task, and I focused on survival.
I explore the clearing, and only manage to find a few twigs and branches arranged in a teepee formation, held securely into place by a group of rocks that were flattened into a circular design. Small, but as it grew later into the night, a fire might make due for a good heat source. I shivered through my rags the surrounded me. [Rags?]
And like that, sparks, then embers, then small flames. The newly started fire flickered and illuminated the trees with a warm orange glow, casting my large shadow on a tree on the east side of the forest. What is my purpose? I wonder, before kicking my bare feet into the dusty ground. The fire began to dim, so I added a few more branches to keep it going. My stomach growled but decided it's best to hunt in the morning, when the sun is out.
CRASH! I awoke to the sound of a corpse, collapsing, in the distant tree line. Maybe a predator? I question investigating, but push myself to do it. Every step I take, fear grows in me, the same could be said for courage. As I approach the shadowy figure, I'm relieved to see a woman, her clothes more torn than mine are. Her beautiful pale face looks up at me, and gives me a reassuring nod before collapsing back onto the ground. I lift, and carry her back to the fire, she's shivering. The sun was still absent, but the fire provided enough light to see.
I held her upper torso in my arms, until her quiver stops itself. In the distant the dark forest seems to taunt me, the branches and bushes create shadows moved by the fire, dancing and looking at me, as if it wants to swallow me whole. Figures of animals appear, and eyes. My vision was still blurry, and dark thoughts entered my mind. It's probably best to rest now.
Morning. A glimpse of the orange sun peeked through the dark trees, barely pushing its way toward me. Morning. I thought. Even with the sun, the clearing was dark, and I figured its best I keep the fire going. Next to me the wander still slept, completely still, as if the fire somehow comforted her in her unconsciousness. The forest creaked, and the fires flame shrunk. Wood. I need wood.
I hear moans of pain [or pleasure] as the body next to mine own opened its eyes. No, I shouldn't think like that. Her face was paler than the night before, but she greeted me with a happy gesture, a simple nod. A howling breeze gusts pushes the fire towards me and I decide it's best to go and collect more wood from the distant forest and mysterious shadows that lay out ahead. I use my hand to gain balance before jumping to me feet, and walking towards the trees. [Is there anything beyond the forest?]
The further I drew from the fire, the darker the forest got. I collect a few scraps of wood before deciding to head back. The sky dimmed and the day grew dark [How long was I out there?]. Returning to the clearing, and to my surprise, the woman was standing, motionlessly staring into the fire, gazing as if stuck in some trance. "I-I-…" She stutters, as if she is regretting what she says. "I can make things. A cart for wood." I attempt to question her, but think it's best to leave it at that. I empty half of my collected wood to keep the fire bright, and offer her the remains. She gracefully accepts, nods, and then begins shaping her wood into an undefinable object.
Hours passed, [maybe days]. Time seemed to stand still in the clearing. Although simple tasks such as hunting or collecting wood helps clear my mind. I return, anxious to see what she has built. Excitement overwhelms me as I see a large wooden object in the distance, towering taller than I am. I rush past the tree line, careful not to trip on any shrubs in my way. I feel ecstatic, vigorated even. Before me stood a rickety cart. "To carry wood," she pointed. And a wooden hut, cushioned with small weeds. "In your absence," she began, "A family came, wandering, tired and hungry." I nod, and begin adding more wood, fueling the flames that grow higher, higher.
Both me and her look into each other's eyes, heavily satisfied with what once started as a clearing, is now turning into a small village.
AN: And tada! I said I wouldn't disappear of the face of the earth forever. Before I go into this, I just want to say I know this isn't amazing. I understand that, this is just a one shot I wrote to get some opinions and wonder if I should keep going. As for an update on my LoL fanfic, it will continue. I will probably end up finishing this one and continue working on it. I'm going to fix some simple flaws in the first chapter then completely re–write the second chapter.
PS. I love to hear what you all think, but do know you can say you hate it, but please say, why, I won't mind as long as it's constructive criticisms and not just rudeness!