• I wander aimlessly through the thick undergrowth. I cannot tell whether it is night or day, for the massive trees guard the forest from the penetrating light like gates of steel. I can only cower like a small creature beneath their mighty presence, as I am smothered in the thorns of darkness alone. I am blind in this fearsome place and, no matter how far I amble, I only find myself farther and farther, suffocated in darkness, until I can see absolutely nothing. Not even my own hands stretched in front of my face. I should have never come here alone.

    I don't even know why I'm here anymore. I had heard all the stories of this forest. How the darkness will take you over and almost no one escapes. I thought I could beat it. I'm such a fool. I sigh miserably. I really showed them, didn't I? Yeah, right.

    My eyes squeeze shut in woeful despair that eats my insides and I can not stop the tears. I am so alone. I can't stand it. I just want to get out of here.
    I run without thinking, as fast as I can. No specific direction, just forward. I just have to leave this darkness. I can't breath.

    Something smacks into my leg and I fall forward on my chest. I gasp for breath, but I cannot move. I cannot find the strength to move. My heart is heavy and my mind is full of thick haze. My breath comes shaky and full of the effort it takes to bring it in. My fingers nails scrape the soil as they clench into a fist. I'm so stupid.

    "Hey!" A voice cuts through the dark like a knife. I move my head up swiftly and my eyes widen. Could someone actually be out there?

    The voice comes again, "Hey, is there any one out here?!" There is a light! I can see a small flickering light. It appears like the small glow of a firefly for it is some distance away. I feel my heart brighten a little with hope and joy. I never thought I'd be so happy to see such a small light. Now all I have to do is call out to him and I'll be saved.

    I open my mouth happily to call out... and immediately my heart falls into deep pit of desperation. My mouth is open but out of it comes not even a sound. I try and try again. I try to scream at the top of my lungs. I am to the point of wearing myself out with effort... but there is still nothing but the sound of his fading voice.

    The light is moving away from me and I grow frightened. Don't leave! I am here! Please don't leave me! I force myself to stand and I quickly try to run to him. I have to catch up to him before he is gone! My legs feel numb and I find myself beginning to fall. 'No', I shout silently as I hit the ground hard. 'No', my lips form around the word again, but I am unheard. I can only watch through my blurry eyes as the light slowly fades away.

    My hope is gone. I lay here to die. Then I hear a soft whisper in my ear, "Why are you so sad when there is so much excitement all around!"

    I look in that direction, but I can see nothing. I manage to mouth the words, 'what?'

    "Isn't the darkness so beautiful?!" The mischievous voice exclaims, "Such a place, you can be free all the time!"

    I am confused and scared. Who is this? What does she want?

    "Come play with me!" She says, "You will never be alone again!" Her voice suddenly starts to get deep and seductive, "Come lose yourself inme."

    How am I suddenly standing? Her dark words bit at my heart, and I lose my thoughts. She grabs my hand and I follow without hesitation. I find myself not the least bit suspicious or fearful. I only have one thought.

    At last, I will no longer be alone. I finally have a friend.

    One tear strikes the ground and that was the last part of my real self that remained.