Into the wild

A sharp pang shoots through my chest. I cough, spitting out a mouthful of water. The sound of gentle ripples fades away. A freezing wind cuts straight into my bones. I try to open my eyes. A faint white light reflects off the ground, forcing me to blink several times. Beneath me, I feel the uneven surface of stones, smooth as gems. Water laps against my feet. When I look at it, I’m startled—it isn’t clear or blue, but a deep strawberry red.

I try to stand. My arms can barely hold my weight, and even my knees tremble. I need to catch my breath. The world spins, colors swirling senselessly. In front of me stretches a vast field of vivid red grass leading all the way to a forest, where trees with trunks as white as snow rise into a night sky. When I lift my gaze, my breath catches. A colossal crescent moon bathes everything in pure light. The sky, black as ink, is scattered with so many stars it feels unreal. Living in the city, I’d never seen so many before.

All of it confirms what I already know—this isn’t the afterlife, this is… «Mmmh…» A sigh pulls me back to reality. I turn toward the sound and spot Laila curled up on a white rock a short distance away. Stumbling, I move closer. «You… you’re alive.»

«Of course. I can’t die, idiot.» she replies without looking at me, her eyes fixed on the scenery.

I sit beside her, taking in the view, then scoot slightly away to give her space. «It’s beautiful, isn’t it?» I ask, trying to catch a reaction out of the corner of my eye.

Laila grimaces, as if the thought annoys her. «I don’t remember it like this. The world I recall was more like yours, back when you still used horses and swords. This… is a mess.» She sighs, shaking her head. «Whatever, it doesn’t matter.» Then, with her usual nonchalance, she rises, floating effortlessly in the air. «So, what do you want to do now?»

“Right, what should I do? Everything happened so suddenly—I didn’t have time to prepare clothes, weapons, or even train… No, that last part’s my fault. I had two whole months to get in shape.” «I don’t know. Maybe we should check out that forest?»

«It’s up to you. It’s your wish.» I glance at the forest, then at her, searching for an answer. But all she seems to care about right now is the sky.

Without overthinking it, I head toward the trees. Scarlet canopies blot out the heavens, and the air smells earthy and damp. “I hope this was a good idea.” Behind me, luckily, Laila follows on foot for some reason. “Strange… she usually never misses a chance to float.”

A sudden noise snaps our attention forward. A small, rabbit-shaped creature with wings darts past us, vanishing among the trees. It’s a shame I couldn’t get a better look. An instant later, a heavy thud shakes a tree. Another creature, much larger and imposing, emerges from the branches. It’s as big as a tiger, but the front half is that of an owl. Its taloned paws dig into the branch with force, its piercing gaze locking onto us.

«Uh-oh! You might want to run.» Laila whispers with amusement.

The owl-tiger hybrid lets out a cry—a chilling mix between a hiss and a roar—and lunges toward us, there’s no time to think. I grab Laila by the wrist and sprint, weaving through the trees, “What an idiot, why am I running? That thing is faster and stronger than us. This is hopeless.” soon I hear its heavy steps pounding right behind us, my lungs burn, sweat soaks my clothes, my legs and side ache, “I can’t keep this up. Someone, help me! Why isn’t anyone coming?!” in my panic, I spot a small pool of water ahead and pray it’s deep enough, I dive in, dragging Laila with me, I can’t stay under for even a moment, my lungs scream, forcing me back up, gasping, “This is it… I don’t even have the courage to look…”

After a moment, I open my eyes. The creature is still on the bank, frozen in place. It takes a few cautious steps back, then retreats, spreading its wings and taking flight.

My heart still pounds so violently I can’t steady my breathing. That’s when I realize—I’m no longer holding Laila’s wrist. «Where is she? Laila, where are you?» I shout, scanning the water. I dunk my head again and see her right below me. “Why isn’t she coming up?”

I take a deep breath and swim down toward her. “I hope she’s okay.” Just as I manage to touch her shoulder, the air in my lungs gives way to water, I can’t breathe—I need air, I thrash my arms and legs, trying to swim back up, my head pounds, a cramp seizes my calf, hyperventilation takes over… Slowly, everything goes dark…

°°°

Suddenly, the water vanishes from my lungs. I cough violently and open my eyes. Above me, a canopy of leaves partly hides the sky. “Am I alive?” Warmth spreads over me. I turn, spotting a blue fire burning nearby. Laila sits beside it, staring at me.

«Finally awake. What the hell were you thinking? You do realize I’m immortal.»

I turn my gaze back to the sky. «I… I don’t know.»

«Stupid human. You risked your life for nothing.»

«You’re right… I’m sorry.»

«Good thing you apologized. If you’d died in that lake, I’d have been stuck with you at the bottom.»

“Ah, so she didn’t save me because she wanted to. What a bitch… Still, I can’t blame her too much. I probably would’ve done the same. But there’s one thing I don’t understand.” «Can I ask you something?»

«You just did.»

«I mean seriously.»

«Go on.»

«Why did you stay down there, staring at the bottom?»

«I don’t know. But there was something sinister down there.»