2
A chilling breeze whipped around John, rousing him from his sleep. His stomach growled and he realised he hadn't had anything since the previous day. In the pack, he found a lump of meat, courtesy of the butcher, two loaves of bread, dried fruit and a few herbs. John broke off a handful of one of the loaves then put the rest back, he didn't know how long he'd be camping and he didn't want to hunt unless he absolutely had to. A small bird hopped into the camp, watching him warily. John liked to see the animals, he liked how their behaviour varied from species to species and also from animal to animal. Each was different. This bird had a bright line going down each wing and yellow plumage on it's front. The doctor broke off a bit of the bread and gently threw it so it landed near the bird. After a few curious glances, the animal ate what was there then left again in small hopping movements. John smiled as he finished his meal then got ready to go for a walk.
To those who knew it, the forest was alive. John sometimes felt like even the trees were living and breathing, watching over those who inhabit their world. It offered him a great sense of safety to just be among the roots and shrubbery, seemingly blocked off from the rest of the world. His stroll didn't take him far, only a half a league. He had found that it was best to stay close to your camp, especially when someone might arrive at any moment with important news. Night was already falling again by the time he settled back in his camp. He felt the overpowering feeling that he was being watched.
John heard rustling and looked over to see a young boy from the village enter the camp.
'How are things?' John asked. The boy subconsciously shuddered.
'You have got to get away from here. I don't know what they want with you but they've got these demons. They look like us in shape but they click to each other and their breath smells like rotting flesh.' John kept his emotions in check, panic would not help him in this situation.
'I should go back.' The boy froze, then spoke in a slightly louder voice,
'No! you can't go ba-' The whoosh of the arrow caught both men off guard. The arrow shaft sailed straight and buried itself into the back of the young boys head. John cried out as he lay the young man carefully to the ground. He grabbed his back and weaponry and fled into the forest. The lad was dead before he hit the ground, nothing John could have done would have saved him. All he could do now was get as far away as possible and hope the creatures, what ever they were, didn't find him. The doctor's leg muscles burned and his chest screamed at him but he didn't stop for another half an hour.
The blond slumped against the trunk of a tree, unable to run anymore. His chest heaved with every intake of breath and his ears pounded. After a few minutes, the various pains subsided somewhat and he took the time to take account of his surroundings. He was further in to the forest than he had ever been before, so much so that he hadn't a clue where he was. All bearings had slipped away from him. He heard the distinct rustle of footfalls coming from somewhere to his left only these were much softer than anyone he knew, and much quicker too. Even as he stood, he body screamed at him. He took off further into the forest. The footsteps were constantly closing the gap between him and them. His energy reserves dwindled and John didn't know what kept him running. His foot caught on something unseen in the ground and he turned to face the cloaked figures which closed in around him. Bizarre clicking noises filled his ears and one drew a sword. John looked up at the creatures, deciding to stare them down instead of squeezing his eyes shut and trying to forget. The creature with the sword brought his weapon so that it was above the doctor then swiftly sent the blade downwards.