Suspicions

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Waking with a terrible stomach pain, I slowly sat up from my position on the ground. Opening my tired eyes for I hardly slept out of fear, I looked around to see my surrounds with poor vision, feeling something was off as the morning sun was barely over the horizon. Standing up, I started to blink away some of my tiredness from my eyes, I once again glanced at the clearing while ignoring my hunger, for everything seemed normal, or as much as I could tell since last night's moon didn't give me much light. Looking down where the remains of my campfire was, my skin crawled with goosebumps as to why I felt something was off.

It wasn't even there.

The grass looked untouched, like it never existed. "But that's impossible..." Crouching down, I gently glided my hand across the tiny blades, hoping I felt any piece of charcoal or ash. Lowering my head down to look at the grass closely, I could see that it was somewhat flatten, like something big has been on for a long time.

Well, ain't that lovely?

Standing back up, I think about what I'm going to do since its obvious I have no idea where I am. Leaning backwards, I looked up at the unobstructed sky again to watch the clouds drift by.

Whispering to myself, "What am I going to do... very unlikely I'll find my way by going in a random direction, nor is waitin-" my stomach grumbled to remind me that I have yet to search for food. "Great... Another thing to add on the bucket list..."

Pushing against what whatever was leaning on, I went in a random direction for I had no other option in mind. As soon as I left my spot though, I felt a sudden gust of wind from behind. Trying to see what it was for the wind was strong that I had to cover my face with my arms, but then it calmed as soon as it picked up. Glancing in the direction, there was nothing in the clearing nor where I was previously.

"'...What in the world was that?"

Walking backwards for I was somewhat afraid to look away, my leg caught a root from behind causing me to go tumbling down the semi-long yet very steep hill. As the world was quite literally spinning, I felt bruises started to form from the constant roll-and-hit-the-rocks that I seem to be doing.

Soon my body lands with an audible thud as I come to a stop at the bottom. Groaning, I tried to think of anything while I kept my eyes close for my head was pounding.

Wonder if Darrin's alright... has the pile fallen over him again?

Having no idea how long I laid there, I opened my eyes just to instantly shut them for the sun was directly overhead. Now I know it's midday with a bloody heachache. Sitting up, I gently shake my head before opening my eyes to look over at myself.

My clothing were in tatters, though not greatly. My soot stained light grey shirt had holes, same as my dark brown pants, dirt all over my brown boots and some pebbles in my short black wild hair. Grumbling under my breath that these were my favorites to wear, I felt something from my surroundings... something that gave me a sense of uneasiness.

"Well, seems whatever it is likes to follow me... that's somehow reassuring..." Sighing, knowing that there's something there that I'm at least familiar with, I couldn't help but think how little that helps. Standing back up, I patted myself down with a bit of effort for my bruises were protesting. Having said that, I took a conveniently placed stick near me to support me as I walked along, wanting to get away from there as soon as possible.

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Twigs. Bushes. Trees.

It was the same thing for a couple of hours now as I limped, nothing on my mind as I made my way in one direction.

Grr...

I also haven't found any food. Not even a berry which normally I would find that unusual, but my mind was somewhere else for I all wanted was food.

Tired. Hungry. Bruised.

I don't know how long these thoughts plagued me, or the constant sound of my stomach, rustling leaves and a snap of a twig every now and then. Looking up at the sky for the second time today, the sun was barely over the horizon, starting to set soon.

Great... Another day... another night... another time without food...

I don't know how long I can actually keep this up. Am I just wandering out of desperation? Trying to reach something that's out of my reach? What will become of me? Will I wither away? Will I be forgotten?

"Am I going to die here...?" I weakly mumbled before collapsing forward, breaking my walking stick in the process of trying to stop myself. Breathing hard and barely conscious, I turned my head to the left side. Soon my vision started to blur, but something caught my eye next to me before it did. Trying to reach it with my left hand, I was barely able to move it for I was too tired. When I finally did after some great effort, I turned my hand over to see what it was and brought it closer to see.

A black scale...

Coughing weakly, something I seem to be in everything now, my eyes were starting to close as my vision was blurred greatly. The world seemed to go silent, and everything felt cold as my eyes closed more and more. I tried to fight it, not wanting it to end here, but it was all in vain.

But before my eyes closed fully, I saw a glimpse of something coming... something scaly.