“Hello? Is anybody there?” My voice echoes throughout the dark, empty void. It sure feels lonely here, where am I? I look around but see nothing. Then, I begin to see the outline of a tall, shadowy figure.

“Hello? Who’s there?” The figure steps forward.

“Dylan? It’s time to wake up sweetie...” I recognize that voice.

“M-mom? Is that you?”

“Yes, Dylan. Now come where I can see you.” I hesitate.

“How did you get here?”

“Dylan, I know you’re scared. Come here so I can hug you.”

“But...how did you find me? Better yet, who are you?”

“Oh Dylan, don’t you recognize me? I’m your mom...” The figure steps forward to reveal a woman, who has a very close resemblance to my mom, and has a giant smile plastered on her face. I take a step back.

“No...you’re not.” The woman’s smile falters, and her eyes glint with something that I can’t quite describe. She takes a step forward.

“Dylan, you’re just confused. Come to mom for a hug...” She outstretches her arms, beckoning for me to come closer. I refuse and stand my ground.

“Look, “Mom” I don’t know who you are so just leave me alone.” She puts her arms down and her eyes glint with that same something. The smile that was once plastered on her face is gone, and what is left is an expression that screams danger. She takes one step forwards and disappears into a black mist. Screams can be heard echoing throughout the dark, black void. Now all that is left is a young girl.

“Emily.” I stare right into her eyes. They are no longer dripping with that mysterious black liquid. Instead, they are their normal bright green. I stand my ground as she approaches.

“Hello, Dylan...it’s been a while.” She smiles.

“Hello, Emily what brings you here?” She chuckles and begins to pace around me, her arms hidden behind her back.

“Oh, nothing much...just wanted to thank you for setting me free...”

“But...I didn’t do anything, you set yourself free. Remember? You killed your brother!”

“Oh, haha...I guess I did do that...” She stops right in front of me, her piercing, green eyes staring right into mine. I back away.

“Now. What do you want with me?” She steps closer.

“Oh you know very well what I want....” Suddenly, she is very far away. But not for long, because soon, I find her charging directly at me. I try to run, but I can’t move. I brace for impact, but instead I am greeted by a black mist. Now, before me stands a more masculine figure. I squint into the darkness, and nearly fall back.

“Ben...!” He steps forward with a genuine smile on his face.

“Dylan!” He runs forward to meet me, his hand up for a high five. I hesitate, but give him a high five. His eyes glint with excitement.

“How did you get here? I thought you were free?”

“What do you mean? I am free, we can go home now.”

“Wh-“ The darkness around me begins to morph into the forest. I look around, stunned.

“Where are we?” He smiles and looks confused.

“What do you mean? We’re in the forest, you did it! You freed me so now we can go home!”

“Really? But what about that...thing? That thing that turned you into a monster and...chose me...instead...”

“He’s gone, you got rid of him, remember?”

“Right...but what about—“

“Let’s get going before anything else bad happens...” I hesitate, but decide to follow him.

“Okay, lead the way then...” He smiles and we start to walk out of the woods. We walk in silence for a few moments before a weird feeling comes over me. I begin to feel sick. Then a chill sweeps through the forest. I look over to Ben.

“Did you feel that?” He looks confused.

“Feel what?”

“That chill...”

“What chill? Are you feeling okay?”

“That chill that just swept through the forest? That very noticeable chill?”

“Well, I didn’t feel anything. Maybe the forest is getting to you.”

“No...I definitely felt something.” He doesn’t answer. I look over and he isn’t there. I look behind me, but he’s nowhere to be seen.

“Ben? Where did you go?” I keep walking. Still looking around, I hear a noise to my right.