Chapter 2: The Beast
Dang it. It is already freezing, and I'm still trapped in this damn forest. It feels like I've been walking for hours and I've made absolutely no progress. The wall is still going on endlessly.
Marco looks back only to see that he has moved roughly 20 feet. His face on the wall still being visible from where he stood.
"WHAT?!" Marco yelled as he couldn't contain his disbelief. His words echoed through the forest, rousing something hidden deep within. All noise immediately ceased as a grim silence filled the air.
"How is that possible? It feels like I've been walking forever. That can't be right. I mean I know that I was always by the wall, but I think I should've gone farther than this. Maybe I was just too absorbed in my thought to notice that. . ."
Marco trailed off as he finally noticed that all the noise from the forest had stopped. He turned slowly towards the trees. He peered deep into the wood, but he could make nothing out from the obscuring brambles. There was only darkness with faint shapes piercing through; hopefully, they were trees. Hopefully. He looked back at the wall and wondered if there was truly something worth keeping out. Or in. He turned back towards the forest and grew concerned that something was watching him.
Huh? That's odd. Why is it so quiet all of a sudden? I don't like this one bit. No use fretting about this now. I better leave before something bad happens.
While Marco was considering this peculiar turn of events, a pair of eyes was stalking him from within the forest. An ancient being that has taken down prey much stronger than this boy before it. It smelt the blood on him and waited for a perfect opportunity to strike.
Marco was getting more anxious by the minute as the silence continued.
This is getting pretty spooky. I think I'll just move on.
Marco turned around and started to walk. He continued down his previous path. He could hear nothing from within the forest or beyond the wall. Never before has Marco wished for some noise. He thought that silence would satisfy him after all the racket Star makes. This silence, however, was unnatural, and now Marco wished for nothing more than his boisterous friend to reassure him. He is alone though with no one to help him this time, and Marco once again sunk into his thoughts.
I'm not dying in some random forest in some random dimension. I'm sure Hekapoo was just teasing about the bloodthirsty beast. But she wasn't kidding about the cold. It's freezing. Push through it, Diaz. Remember why you're doing this.
Marco continued following the wall yet again, but he made sure to look into the forest every couple of minutes or so just to make sure that he wasn't being followed or worse: hunted.
1 hour later.
There was a rustling from within the forest that got continually louder. Until a stranger wrapped in a long, black cloak and wielding a long, ornate spear emerged from the brush. He looked all around him to make sure the area was secured before he crouched down to look at some peculiar footprints.
Strange, Tis isn't anyting Ah recognize. At least, no beastie that Ah know of. They appear to be almost human.
The stranger traced his hand over the footprints.
Hmm, fresh.
He then saw something that raised his concern. It was a several drops of dried blood.
Bloody Hell! Appears there is an idiot 'ere. Hope to the gods that Ah git to 'im before it does.
He then looked around to find where the footprints led. His face hardened when he saw they followed the wall. He stood back up and started making his way to this unfortunate soul. The stranger hoped that there was still someone to save by the time he got to him. Whoever this person is, they are either the dumbest or unluckiest person to ever exist. The stranger followed the footsteps quietly as to not disturb the silence that blanketed the entire forest. He wonders who is dumb enough to travel these woods during this season.
Marco was growing very tired and had to take a little break. He sat down and leaned his back against the wall. He had walked for an hour, but it felt like days to him. The wall still showed no sign of stopping and the forest only grew darker and darker. He feared he may be walking deeper into the jungle instead of out.
I don't know if I'll ever make it out of this jungle. I just need to rest. I just need to close my eyes for a couple of minutes.
Marco sat down on the ground and leaned back against the wall. He let out a long sigh, relieved to be off his feet—if only for a moment.
Unfortunately for him, there was still a pair of eyes fixated on Marco.
Yeah, this is fine. I think that this will all turn out okay. I just need to keep on going. I just hope that Heka—
The beast suddenly started charging Marco from its hiding place and let out a large howl. Marco replied with a less-than-manly screech, surprised by the beast's abrupt ambush. The beast was closing the distance fast, and when it was only a few yards away, it leapt at him. Marco closed his eyes and braced for the impact, the untimely end to his story.
Instead of a tragic death, Marco heard a loud kick and a whimper from the beast. He opened his eyes and saw a stranger standing right in front of him blocking the beast. Marco couldn't see his face as he was wearing a large, black cloak that covered his entire body, but Marco saw that the stranger was keeping the beast at a distance with a spear. The beast recovered from the surprise attack and started to gauge the stranger. The beast and the stranger shuffled around a little a bit, but the stranger always kept Marco at his back. The stranger took a step forward and thrusted at the beast, but it dodged the spear easily. The beast snarled but then looked right into Marco eyes before turning around and running back into the forest. After it fled, the natural ambience of the forest returned. Marco then returned his gaze to the stranger who saved his life.
"Holy cow! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I thought I was toast for sure. You came out of nowhere. What was that thing? It seemed to be stalking me. I never thought th—"
"Silence, ye fool!" the stranger interjected.
Marco immediately shut up.
"Ma gods. Wit all ye blabberin', no wonda that ole beast was huntin ya. I woulda struck you down meself if I hap tae suffer through ya presence for an 'air longa." The stranger said.
Marco was shocked at the curtness of the stranger. He talked strangely in almost a Scottish accent, which Marco could barely understand. Marco was temporarily at a loss for words but then collected himself and responded.
"Sorry about that. I just can't tell you how much I appreciate what you have just done. You saved my life. Thanks for that. But who are you?" Marco replied.
The stranger looked at Marco and said nothing.
"Um, okay. Do you have a name? Do you live nearby? I just need . . ."
The stranger interrupts Marco again.
"You listen here! Ah don' hap to answer anyting yoo've got to sae. This is ma land, and you are trespassin', so you betta behave unless you want ole beastie back and hap ya fur suppa."
"NO, no. I do not want that. I'm sorry. I am just completely lost, and I have no idea what to do." Marco said. Marco then considered his next words wisely as this stranger was probably his only hope for staying alive longer than 5 minutes.
"If you could help a poor, miserable, soul like me, you will have my deepest gratitude." Marco pleaded.
The stranger looked at him blankly, then pulled down his hood, revealing his face. He was man a couple years older than Marco. He had bright red hair, a long face with a very strong jawline. But his most distinguishing feature was a long scar that streaked down left side of his neck. It drew Marco's attention immediately, but he obviously knew better than to ask about it now. The stranger pushed his hand through his hair, setting it back. He looked back at the forest for a little while, looked at the wall, and then looked back at Marco.
"Aye, a life debt is not anyting to throw aroun. But seein as you are but a wee lad who obviously don' belong 'ere, I'll help ya bac to somewhere where even a sissy like you could survive."
"Oh, thank you so much! You don't know how much this means to me. I just got here, you see, and I was very concerned that I wo—"
The stranger then cut him off and said, "Now, what did I sae 'bout blabberin? If ya want to play wit dat beastie, then continue on. But if ya want to see anotha day, then shut it and follow me."
"Sorry, I'll be quiet." Marco replied as he hung his head.
"Good, now come wit me." The stranger said as he started to make his way into the woods.
"Uh, shouldn't we be following the wall instead of going deeper into the forest." Marco asked, which he instantly regretted after saying it. The stranger stopped but continued looking forward.
"My fuckin gods. There is nae a man who can withstand such stupidity." He said under his breath, quiet enough so Marco couldn't hear. He turned around and answered Marco's question. The boy instantly shrinking down as the stranger towered imposingly over him.
"If you believe you know betta than me, then go down your own path. You won' last longa than it takes fur you to count to ten before trouble finds ya. You take heart that you asked me fur help, an' I am givin you help. If you don' appreciate what I'm doin, then I'll leave ya fur the wolves. Now, follow me and fur the sake of the gods, shut it. Any other peep from ya, and I am gone, and I will be leavin wit any chance you ever hap fur survival. Now that that is settled. Do you hap any problem wit what I just said?"
Marco shook his, making sure not to make any noise whatsoever, and started to follow behind him and plunged right back into his thoughts.
"Good, now be a good lad an follow me." The stranger finally said as he turned away from Marco and led a path through the woods. Marco obediently followed and tried to not make any noise whatsoever.
A pair of eyes was still stalking Marco. The beast still had its gaze fixed upon him. Despite the sudden intercession of that mysterious stranger, this beast had marked Marco, and he was not going to get away. It just had to bide its time and wait for the perfect time to strike. The stranger couldn't accompany him forever, and when he's gone, Marco will be gone, so the beast followed behind the pair and waited.
