Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. Points finger at Joss Whedon
Chapter 3: Inara
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Giant trees loomed over the narrow path twisting its way through the thick vegetation. A slight breeze rustled the leaves overhead, creating a sound like the pitter patter of a thousand small feet. Light was barely visible through the canopy of the trees, casting an eery twilight glow.
Inara traveled along the dirt path. She lost the track of the time, the hours and hours she had been walking. A nagging voice in the back of her head told her to keep on going. So she did.
A root appeared out of nowhere sending Inara falling flat on her face with a loud OOF. She stood back up, brushing herself off. Puzzled she looked around. Something is wrong, something is not right. She quickly realized that the scenery had changed. The trees were black as night without a leaf anywhere in sight. Limbs reached out to grab her in their thorny embrace. The breeze changed to a howling wind. No, wait, that noise was wolves.
Panic seized Inara as she quickly ran along the path, stumbling blindly ahead. She could hear the wolves behind her, snarling. Sweat trickled down her face as fear settled in her heart.
Just when she thought they were surely upon her, Inara saw the end of the path ahead. Bursting through to the end of the forest, she paused and listened. And she heard nothing, absolutely nothing. Relief washed over her as she curiously stepped forward.
In the center of the clearing, a pond stood perfectly still, not a single ripple crossed its glassy blue surface. Cautiously she peered in, and looked at her reflection. Inara leaned closer and lightly touched her watery image. Ripples traveled away from her fingertips and her reflection changed to most horrific sight she had ever seen.
A reaver's bloody torn up face.
She gasped in surprised shock and jumped slightly. Before she could regain her balance, Inara fell straight into the water. And kept falling down, down, down. She struggled, trying to swim to the surface. An invisible force pushed her down, forcing her to drown. Her lungs screamed in pain from the effort to hold her breath.
I can't do it.
I can't make it.
She let go of her breath and everything went black.
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Inara awoke with fear still fresh on her mind. Glancing around, she realized she was safe. It as all just a dream.
"Please let the crew sleep well and be rid of these terrible nightmares," she prayed to the darkness.
"Please."
