Chapter 1 – Lost
As the sun sank deeper and deeper behind the horizon, she started to loose control. Half screaming, she stumbled through the bushes, too tired to run. The feature of the forest had become more and more unfamiliar with every step she took. She couldn't tell where she was or which way she should go. If only she had not accepted the dare. That stupid dare… She sobbed in her mind with great regret. Tears streaked her face, and yet more poured from her crystal – green eyes; these eyes were filled with fear and anxiety, despair flashed in them constantly. She was consumed by exhaustion and consternation; she could feel the presence of another here in the forest, not just an animal, but a dreadful creature. The feeling that someone was following her, tracing her every step terrified her. Constantly, she whipped her head around, but would see nothing at all but endless green surrounding her. This feeling had clung on to her ever since twilight had begun to rise, and it only grew larger since then to swallow her. She stumbled once more and her knees gave away, she landed on her bottom and was unable to get up, for her strength had been depleted. Peering fearfully around her, her body was no longer capable of supporting her and she collapsed on the soft ground of earth. What's the point of running? She murmured in her mind. It all look the same, I'll never find a way. Her body trembled, all the muscles in her body ached and contracted. Now she only wanted to close her eyes and allow sleep to come. But then she saw familiar faces appearing in her mind, urging her to go on, not to give up. Taking a deep breath, she pushed herself up with a prodigious amount of effort. Then she began to run again, panting as her lung tightened and her chest burned.
She wiped the tears away with the back of her hand, determined to find a way out. Whatever it was that was stalking her, she would not let it have the satisfaction of seeing her fear, her pride wouldn't allow it. Courage once again swirled in her heart, giving her the last shove of strength. The sun had sunken completely below the horizon now; a shroud of shadow was cast over the dense forest, making it even darker than it was. The compact canopy of leaves above her blocked the last of twilight, curtaining her vision with darkness. With only the soft beams of moonlight that broke through the thick blanket of darkness to guide her, she darted on, not knowing which direction she was heading and continually crashed into the trees or bushes so prevalent around her.
Suddenly, she broke through the wall of dark bushed and stumbled into a clearing. Moonlight instantly fell down upon her, and the dark celestial dome was visible above her, beset by myriad of dazzling stars, each sparkled with energy in its place. In the center of the clearing luminous with gentle silver haze, a little cottage stood silently. A hopeful smile of relief spread across her face; now she'd have somewhere to sleep with the most comfort she could find in the terrifying forest. She limped over to it slowly, her legs shaking, threatening to fail her at any moment. The cottage was made of logs, and that it seemed so old that it could crumble to dust any time and leave behind only small pieces of the wood that it was once composed of. She drew closer to the small cottage, examining it with curiosity and suspicion. Who would live at such place? She wondered. But she could be sure that no one came here anymore, considering how the logs seemed to be splintering. The windows were all covered by a thick layer of dust, preventing her from peeking into the cottage. She made a circle around the house, inspecting the level of safeness that her new found sanctuary could provide her. Finally, she stepped onto the porch warily, taking each step with great circumspect in case the wood was to break beneath her feet. The plank of the porch squeaked heavily as she walked over to the door.
She closed her eyes and prayed that the door was not locked, and then opened her eyes and placed her hand on the cold, iron doorknob. Holding her breath, she turned the doorknob, and, to her surprise, the wooden door swung open with a soft squeak. She smiled a grateful smile and stepped inside.
It was dark inside, darker than the night. It took a moment for her to adjust her eyes to her dark surrounding. Barely, she made out the blear shapes of a table and two chairs. Other things stood deeper in the shadow that hid them from her view. Quickly, she scanned the room, not bothering to familiarize herself with the space inside of the cottage. She spotted the dark shape of a bed in the back corner of the room, where a slight smear of moonlight that managed to prowl its way through the dusty window, glowed weakly. Overcame by fatigue, she staggered toward the bed and fell down on it, lying prone with her head turned to one side. Her thoughts began to drift away and the world began to fall away. She seemed to hear the sound of howling from a distance, but she didn't care; she felt much safer than she was outside, and that was enough to warm her enervating faith. Sleep came easily and immediately, and Xenia plunged deep into the dreamworld.