The soft, inviting crunch of remaining fall leaves and dried grass resonated in Basil's ears as he trudged through the dense forest. He had found this place on accident one day, scouting for areas to photograph. It looked as if no one ever came here, deserted and quiet, nary the sound of any living creature. It was a sanctuary. Last he had been here he hadn't had much time to explore, this was all going to be a new experience.
He had thought back to the forest many times since he found it, planning to go back.
Tonight was his night to enjoy the solitude. Slowly the melodious sound of water filled the air as he pushed aside some dense brush.
He made his way towards the sound and found himself near a long, glistening stream near a small waterfall. The moonlight shone upon the water like silver scales, illuminating the clearing. Basil shot a quick picture before something caught his eye.
The deer must not have been dead for very long, still showing vitality in it's fur and musculature. It's eye's were gone however, as if eaten away by something and sprouting out from it's middle was a long, rope like vine. It's stalk split into multiple stems, each ending in a glowing bulb. It seemed to be emitting a low ringing sound, similar to tiny bells in the wind.
He raised his camera and took multiple shots in the dark, then screwed on a flash bulb. The flash lit up the surrounding area in a quick, blinding light eliciting a sudden, higher pitched ringing from the vine. Basil's hand shot to his ears in an attempt to block out the sound, his eyes examined the now writhing plant matter.
The sound slowly dwindled down to a quiet hum as the vines uncurled from around themselves. Intrigued, Basil slowly reached a hand towards one of the many bulbs, his finger tips lightly brushing against it. It curled slowly around his outstretched index finger, seeming to be feeling for something. The thin vine finally reached his wrist and settled upon his vein, his pulse gently moving it up and down.
Suddenly the plant recoiled away from his, leaving thin cuts down his hand in the process. He hissed in pain as he grabbed his hand to stop the bleeding and maybe quell the intense, burning sensation overtaking his arm. He dropped to his knees, and looked towards the carcass, the plant hidden deep inside.
The pain slowly subsided and he scooted closer to peer inside the deep, cavernous wound. Hovering close enough to smell the decay, the next sensation he felt was being shoved back onto the ground behind, his breath being cut off by the vines quickly ensnaring him. His fingers dug into his skin as he attempted in vain to claw off the plant, his vision fading in and out with his lack of oxygen.
Searing pain suddenly snapped him back to reality as the plant began pushing itself through the tender skin on his neck. He could feel the thin intruders pushing and prodding underneath his skin, worming their way deeper and deeper into his body. The pain was overwhelming as he pulled at the vines digging into his veins, trying to remove them. They slowly disappeared into his flesh and he could feel them inside him. His screams bounced off the dense, wooded walls and died amongst the trees.
No one would hear him this far out and he doubted anyone would even care if they could.
Eventually his voice ran hoarse and he looked down at his bleeding finger tips. The tiny barbs of the plant had ripped away layers of skin, leaving his hands raw and burning. As he stared, he could see the vines under his skin, wriggling around like thin worms burrowing into the ground.
The feeling of screaming welled up inside him once again, but only came out as a pathetic, scratchy sob. He sat, crying for what felt like eternity until he ran out of tears. He grabbed his camera bag and carefully made his way back to his car, his hands burning and his body feeling as if it was not his own, foreign and strange.