Tags: Angst.
Trigger Warning: Minor panic attack, anxiety.
Word Count: 1,203 words.
Background: Set during season 7.

»»———✧✦———««

Doc didn't know where he was going if he was completely honest. He had received a message from Etho telling him to go north of the Jungle, but that was it. Very suspicious indeed.

So apparently here he was trampling over the leaves that lay across the jungle floor. Doc could never understand what it was about the jungle that made it seem so mysterious and alive. Perhaps it was the way the cool, calm breeze swayed the vines or how the thick foliage of the jungle's canopy seemed to dance as the wind became more intense.

The vastness of the jungle and the strange aura of magic certainly seemed to add to this. The jungle was most likely the most mysterious biome there was. Doc had certainly learnt how the jungle could manipulate people and how the magic of the jungle was greater than it seemed back in Season 5.

Doc shuddered at those thoughts. Season 5 had been fun and all, but there were certainly some scars that still haunted him. Some of the scars will certainly haunt him until he dies. Especially the ones that happened during well you know....during a time of certain incidents.

Snapping out of those thoughts, Doc looked around him. He had been so caught up with his thoughts that Doc hadn't realised where he was going. Surprising as Doc was usually a very focused person. Well, he guessed, there was always an opportunity for something new to occur.

As Doc surveyed the jungle that surrounded him, he couldn't help but feel as if someone or something was watching him. Almost as if they were watching every move he made, waiting for the right moment to strike and do something to him.

"No," Doc shouted as he swayed on his feet. It couldn't and can't be, that was in the past. He was in Season 7 not Season 5. He had to control himself before he had a panic attack. Doc couldn't let the memories drag him down, not now at least.

Staggering to stay on his feet from the panic attack. Doc placed his forehead on one of the tree's trunks that were surrounding him while holding a hand on the trunk to keep himself from collapsing. Breathing deeply, he closed his eyes and tried to imagine something else. But to Doc's dismay, he couldn't think of anything else. So he attempted to focus on getting his breathing back in order.

"Breathe, just breathe," Doc muttered as he slowly regained his emotions back into place. Slowly but steadily Doc started to feel calmer and more relaxed as he had managed to barely avoid a deep panic attack.

Glancing upwards while still keeping a hand on the trunk, Doc looked around him and realised that some changes had occurred while he was deep in his thoughts.

It was getting dark, Doc had to find shelter before night officially fell and before stuff happened. Doc quickly shook that thought away. No, he would be fine. He was in a different season, surely everything was going to be alright? Hopefully, Doc didn't wish to experience it again, it was scary enough the first time.

Speaking of changes, where did Etho want to meet him? Doc worriedly looked around him. He just didn't understand what was happening. He presumed Etho wanted to meet him somewhere in the north, but where exactly?

The jungle was a vast biome, it would take Doc days to journey to search throughout the entire jungle. Doc guessed he would wait a few days in the centre area, before moving on to a new one. Keeping a positive attitude, Doc assumed he would eventually find the right location, in no time. He just had to pass through the night.

Moving away from the trunk, Doc looked around for a good place to pass the night. Surprisingly, the area he was standing in would be a brilliant place for that. The vines and tree branches that were filled with bright, green leaves would cover him perfectly and give him protection from most things.

Doc was still inspecting the area when an arrow suddenly flew past his head. "What?" Doc looked behind him quickly. "Was that an arrow?" Walking slowly towards the area where he had seen something, Doc realised that it was an arrow, but more specifically an arrow with a dull, green liquid on its tip.

Crouching down to get a closer look, Doc assumed that the liquid was poison. "Poison, poison that was heading for me," Doc mumbled. "Someone or something wanted to murder me. But why?" Doc felt his breathing become quicker and shorter.

Looking behind him, Doc thought he saw something move behind the trees. "Nope, you're just imagining things," Doc whispered. Doc quickly looked away and started to inspect the arrow further in order to take his mind off the current situation.

"Curious, this isn't your typical poison," Doc said as he inspected every angle and nip of the arrow. "It's different, it appears to be infected with something else?" Swiftly getting up from his crouching position, Doc realised it was official night now. He had to be on his guard in case something else tried to attack him.

Another arrow shot past Doc's head barely missing him. This time though it landed on a tree's trunk. Quickly turning his body, Doc glanced at the poisonous arrow. This was even more alarming now. Making his way over, Doc realised that it was actually very different. The colour...the colour was different. That wasn't a good sign.

Doc recognized the arrow. He knew from experience that if it had hit him, let's just say it wouldn't have been pretty. "This...this isn't good at all," Doc muttered. Staring at the arrow made Doc realise that he should have paid more attention to everything. It seemed the jungle was a lot more dangerous than he wanted to admit.

Pacing back and forth, Doc wondered what he should do. He still had to go and find the place where Etho wanted to meet him, but he also had the jungle problem now. Speaking of the rascal, where in the world did Etho want to meet him? "No," Doc felt time slow down as realisation hit him straight in the face. "It can't be. He wouldn't."

As Doc was wondering all this, someone or something was indeed moving in the shadows of the jungle, waiting for the right moment....to strike.

Closing his eyes, Doc stopped pacing and instead leaned against one of the jungle's trees. Taking deep breaths, Doc slowly inhaled more of the jungle's musty and mysterious air. While the jungle was dangerous, it was also very beautiful. Doc couldn't deny that.

Still deep in his thoughts on how he should deal with this. Someone was quietly approaching Doc. Suddenly a sword was pressed against Doc's throat. Opening his eyes, Doc realised the tricky situation he was in. As he was about to move, the sword was pressed harder leaving a small trail of blood behind. It was barely anything, but that froze Doc.

"I wouldn't move if I were you," a quiet but stern voice said. Doc's breath hitched as he realised who it was.

-♡