It was nearing nighttime by now, though disorientation and panic has caused the investigators to lose track of what time it actually was. The forest was very musty now, and gave the illusion that the temperature was rising.
Fang walked beside Zepp, who was following Edon's lead. They had figured by now that anything was better than the swamp, it gave Fang the chills just thinking about its phantasmal blood red water gleaming in the sunshine. As he thought about it, he began to wonder if maybe what they were seeing was in fact a bi product of the forest messing with their mind, that if he were to reach in and cup his paws to extract some water it would turn out to be a murky green.
"Hey guys, listen," Edon paused, and the sound of rushing water filled his ears. They were near a waterfall. "I think it's the golden falls Kenway was talking about."
"If it is then we might be on the right track." Zepp responded half hushed.
They continued walking, passing through unknown territory which contained any number of unknown entities hidden within. Every minute there seemed to remind Fang of this, and despite all logicality of that being unlikely... He didn't want to test that theory.
Half a miles walk later they found themselves being dwarfed by a massive, thin waterfall which towered over the treetops. The water misted as it hit the bottom, causing a sprinkling effect around it. The grass here was damp, offering a cooling sensation to their paws, much to Zepps delight. He walked over to the edge of the water and tilted his head, watching the yellow gold water fall hundreds of feet. It brought a hint of relief judging by the smile on his face.
"I'm getting in." Fang said. He stood atop the edge of a rock, which cast a shadow over the calm waters below. Fang judged the water to be five feet deep, and jumped in, letting out a small splash and disappearing into it.
"Isn't it a sight, Edon?" Marvelous." Zepp said as he stared at the monstrous work of nature from the rock. Edon wagged his tail, making a small thumping sound as it hit the ground.
"Yea it is. I guess this is one thing you could look forward to in here."
"Hm.. Yes, it is. I wonder why its golden though, maybe something in the water causes it to change to that color?"
"Hey, it's nature right? Nature does some pretty strange things."
Strange indeed, Zepp thought. He extended a paw and touched the water, testing the temperature. He found it to be cool, but not cold enough to be uncomfortable. He smiled, passing a glance to Edon, who in his daze didn't realize that Zepp had walked over to his side. With a single push, Edon lost his balance and fell into the water.
Zepp laughed a loud, satisfied laugh at the scene. In front of him was a soaking wet wolf, glaring up at him. Zepp kneeled over, laughing so hard that he let his guard down..
A mistake he would regret, albeit for a moment.
Edon used one of his paws to grip a piece of the rock just above him, and pulled himself up. He leaned forward and grabbed a hold of Zepps tiny tail with his jaws, careful not to hurt him. Zepp let out a sudden yelp, and was quickly dragged into the water himself. He came back up, gasping for breath and glared at the now amused wolf, clearly happy with his work.
Fang swam using his paws. He found himself to be quite adept at holding his breath. Under water, he couldn't see much due to the murkiness, but it didn't matter. Swimming was something he liked to do when he was younger. It took his mind off of things, though only for as long as he could stay under.
He suddenly felt within himself the urge to take a breath, and started to reach for the surface. He was cut short however, when he felt something slimy grab a hold of his leg. It was long and slender, almost like a hand, but when Fang tried to look for it, he couldn't see anything, the murky water clouding his vision.
His instincts kicked in. He hunched over and began to feel what was grabbing him. As he brushed his leg, it was brought to his attention that what he was feeling was in fact the paw of another weasel. He kicked at it wildly, using his free foot as a weapon while trying to swim his way back up.
To his astonishment, his kicks weren't hitting anything. The urge to breath was intensifying now, and Fang knew it would only be a matter of time before he took in water. In a desperate attempt to free himself, he charged whatever was holding his leg. He exerted a powerful stride, using speed as a way to get to the attacker. His courage was sucked away quickly however, because when he reached his target he found nothing but a skeletal figure in the form of a weasel. It's mouth was agape and unmoving, mere inches from his face.
Fang was horrified. Not as much by the fact that there was a skeleton in the water, but by the fact that the skeleton was the attacker. Fang could do nothing but stare into the eyes of the lifeless being, in denial that something like this could be alive. In a sudden turn for the worst, beneath the green water, a voice rang out to meet him. It was a chilling, high pitched cry, echoing through the water. The source of the cry seemed unattainable, coming from all directions at once.
As the voice's screams got louder, Fangs daze grew more intense. He found himself completely fixed subconsciously on this skeleton, focusing on its eyes.
Something began to stir within its eye sockets. A vision. Within the eyes, Fang saw a sight he wished to never see again. It was his mother, and she was being torn apart by a pack of wolves. He seemed to let go of his body, enveloping in this vision of death. It played over and over again, his mother being dragged around like a ragdoll and torn to pieces right before his eyes. It was as if he began downloading it, scarring itself in his mind, and no matter how much he wanted to look away, the hypnotizing ghostly screams kept him there... Torturing him with the gruesome scene.
He attempted to scream, but stifled it as he realized he just let out the air he was holding, causing him to sink. He was brought out of the daze, and flailed his arms in defiance of the fleshless being. Fang grabbed a hold of the arm attached to his leg, using what strength he could spare to try to yank it off, but discovered it's hold on him to be too tight. He swam back up, using quick, sharp strokes to lift him up. With each stroke he found the surface closing in on him. He swam faster, trying to reach the surface as quickly as possible. His hopes began to rise, glad that he was nearing the safety and security of the surface. With a sudden jerk however, he was pulled back down, and the paw holding him hostage began to dig into his leg.
He had to breathe now, the urge was overwhelming him. He could feel his body begin to shut down. His muscles were burning, fatigue setting in with each stroke. Not wanting to give into a watery grave, Fang used whatever strength he had left to kick back up. He was faltering, and he knew it, but didn't give in. Using powerful, long strokes he inched his way closer to the surface. If only he could give Zepp and Fang a sign, then they could know to pull him out of the water.
He was nearing his breaking point. He began to think back to when this all began. Zepps stupid interest in the case brought him here.. No. Zepp isn't to blame. He could've said no, but stayed anyway. Why did he stay? Was it friendship? Loyalty? Love? Or was it that all of those things were the same? He knew he couldn't let Zepp go off on his own.. Even with Edon, he felt with him there things would be better.
He started to take in water, and was brought back. He outstretched a paw, the surface was so close now.. So close he could touch it. it wasn't to be however.. As he was dragged back down. He shuddered as he was quickly brought eye level to the skeleton, now merely touching his own face. It's expression turned from agonizing to irate, filling Fang with fear.
The images came back, and Fang felt himself give up. He opened his mouth, and noticed his vision beginning to blur. He started to breath in, the water tasting like blood. With one last glance he was given a final display of horror.
What he was staring at, the lifeless, cold and unfeeling being which so readily attacked him was familiar. It was familiarity of the shocking kind, so abrupt and unsettling that he couldn't bear it. It was this familiarity that would drive him mad... He was sure of it. He was staring into the eyes of his own mother.
He closed his eyes, and felt like he was floating. He couldn't see anything but he heard the disturbance of the water, followed by panting and his name being called. The voice was Edons, and he had grabbed the scruff of his neck and pulled him out.
" Fang.. FANG.. " the voice echoed inside his head, disorienting him. He felt like he wanted to go to sleep, to just let go and leave them.. But found that to be selfish.
"BLITHE!" The name he hated to be called.. Of course it was Zepp who said it. He jerked, a second wind coming over him.
"Don't.. Ever... Call me that.. again." He murmured. With an intense pain shooting up his back he raised himself up.
"Ugh..." He found the strength to stand and did so. Fang rubbed his eyes, the cloudiness was still there, just less overbearing on him.
"What happened to you?" Edon asked. Fang didn't reply, he walked over to the rock he jumped off of and stared at the water with a detached expression.
Edon pressed the issue, walking over to him and nudging his paw. "What happened-"
"CAN'T YOU JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!?" Fang exclaimed this angrily, probably the result of his harrowing experience. It left him feeling hallow, helpless and powerless to the soul eater.
Edon was taken aback, surprised by the sudden outburst. He left the weasel alone, and returned to Zepps
"Let's keep going..I think we've had enough fun here." Zepp said. They began to make their way back into the forest. Zepp noticed that Fang wasn't following them, and turned around to find him staring into the water. Zepp figured he was shaken.
"Fang.. Hey FANG! Let's go!" Fang heard him, but didn't respond. His gaze was still fixed upon the murky water, not believing what had just transpired. Within the water Fang SWORE... Though to this day won't tell anyone.. That he saw the water turn blood red, and the bodies of his companions floating lifelessly within it, trapped in a watery grave.
After several seconds, he returned to them, traveling once again through miles if forest, the images forever a burden he must carry.
Here you go, another chapter done! I tried to envision this one as a sort of "I was there" experience, did the best I could. I'd love some feedback on how I'm doing with these scenes! I'm probably going to do more with this horror genre.