The full moon was perched high atop its throne in the midnight sky, acting as a single spotlight that bathed a dark and dreary forest in an eerie, luminous light. The night was very dark and very quiet, almost as silent as the grave, and the trees seemed to come to life, whispering like dead souls trying to communicate with the living.
A young girl raced breathlessly through the forest, her matted mahogany mane fluttering behind her, her heart frantically pounding with each desperate step. As she tried to escape, she knew deep down that she would not succeed.
"Tanis, come to me."
As her name was whispered, she knew that she was doomed. That voice was one of a person she knew far too well, a person that she had once admired, trusted, even loved. But now she knew the truth...and she feared that she would never live to tell it.
"Tanis..."
That voice was one of a woman. It was neither sweet nor innocent, but a low, seductive whisper: entrancing, enchanting, ethereal. It was a voice that had once held her full attention, a voice that had once made her feel safe and secure. It was a voice with which she had held many a personal conversation and felt comfortable in doing so.
Who could have predicted that their friendship would reach such a peculiar and deadly climax?
"Tanis."
Faster and faster she ran, speeding through the forest. Stumbling over something, she momentarily lost her balance, only to regain control of her legs moments later. Hearing no more haunting whispers, she skidded to a graceless halt in order to catch her breath. Gazing around her, she found herself in some sort of clearing in which a fire had been lit. The amber flames crackled and hissed. Heat radiated from the vibrantly burning amber flames, overwhelming her, almost comforting her. Its light not only illuminated her beautiful face, but also something beside her. Allowing her eyes to travel in the direction of the object, she saw that it was a cage.
Her heart leaped from her chest to her throat, suddenly coming to life and frantically hammering its non-existent fists against the confines of the cage that was her chest, trying desperately to break free, trying to escape just as she was.
And then she saw ither. Or rather it: a tall figure draped in ebony, its ente form cloaked in shadow.
She did not need to see the face of the mysterious figure.
She knew at once who it was.
"Tanis..."
The fourth time her name was called would prove to be fatal. A blood-curdling, bone-chilling scream of pain, despair and utter terror pierced the cool night air like a gunshot, slicing like a dagger through the misty air and shattering the tranquility of the night as easily as though it were crafted from frail glass.
The young and beautiful girl - obviously named Tannis - collapsed to the ground, an object falling from her hands. It was a round case, obviously containing make-up.
Soon, her screams melted away.
Now, the only sound was a single howl...and then the barking of a dog.
The Forest was plunged into darkness once more.
Now, the girl was gone.
