Tired and feeling a bit grumpy, I threw a side glance at Huldra.
When she strode right out of the dark forest earlier, the tension had been so thick you could touch it. I had been ready to sleep and be out of here the very next day. But now the plans had changed.
Huldra seemingly had no intentions of continuing the story Nida started. She kept quiet while I still held my breath, waiting for everything to explode around us. Quite nonchalant, she walked over to the fire and kicked dirt over it. She even took her time making sure nothing could flare up, and without even looking in my direction once, we were asked to follow her before walking away again.
With a huff, I jogged after them. Nida followed after the first shock; however, it took me a little longer. My fire was out, and the rest of my meat was buried beneath the dirt. I had no idea where to walk to leave this place alone and in the dark. Was there anything else to do but follow? Of course, now, after what felt like hours of walking through this thick, unwelcoming bush, I wished I had just stayed behind.
This was Huldra's home, and she knew it inside and out. No doubt about that. She moved swiftly and efficiently through the darkness like she always knew where to step and when. I, on the other hand, struggled to follow. I stumbled over rocks and through bushes, and branches scraped my cheek; without Drifta, I had to do without her night vision. I felt helpless, and irritation and frustration brewed inside me as time passed. Nobody had spoken a word, I had no idea where we were heading, and she was clearly not interested in waiting. At least not for me.
Of! Cry and swears died in my throat as I clenched my teeth and tried breathing through my nose. The massive branch came from nowhere and slapped me right over the nose. Landing on the moist but soft moss-covered ground, I blinked to rid myself of the sparkling white stars that clouded my vision. Fuck this. I am not wanted here, and I don't even want to be here or follow that cow-tailed girl! I listened to Nida and Huldra walk through the bushes for a couple of slow seconds. Further and further away, and for a reason, I waited until I was sure they were far ahead of me.
Eventually, I felt alone. And that feeling made me feel calm. My head had followed their sounds as they walked away, so now I turned to the side. I stood up and walked away. First, it felt like I was sneaking away, still a little on guard, waiting for them to appear out of nowhere. But who was I fooling? It had been clear that Huldra didn't care if I followed them or not, and I swear it even felt like she made it more challenging than necessary to follow, so eventually, I was doing her a favor.
The darkness had never bothered me, and now it even felt like a safe and comfy place. I wasn't lost here, only lost for the rest. Finding my way through thick darkness and an invisible forest became easier. No more face slaps, no more falling face-first forward because of thick moss and stones. I felt better, I felt lighter, and the environment accepted me in a whole new way. It helped me move forward, and the darkness and I became a team. It was a strange sensation because I was still moving like a blind. I could not even see my hand right in front of me, but I still saw without seeing where to go. I followed mindlessly like a mighty and dark shadow hand holding mine and showing me the way. I had no doubts about this. I felt no insecurities.
Distanced sounds of crickets and insects filled the comfortable, silent night. I didn't know where I was going, but I was confident I would end up where I was supposed to. Thick dark clouds moved to the side, revealing a cold full moon on the clear night sky. With a deep breath, I filled my lungs with the light and crisp night air before I looked around. Standing in the middle of a little clearing, the cold moonlight sparkled on my dirty, pale skin. Long, wet grass straws brushed against my feet as I watched the shadows around me.
That is all the night is, isn't it? Shadows? Every object and being's dark side. Hidden behind its owner while the light highlights what we want others to see. So, the night would just be the day's secrets, the day's dark side. I felt so free. Comfortable being just me, alone. I can't even remember the last time I was alone. Free like this! I'm only me, and I only need to think about myself! And without feeling bad about it or ending up mentally shaming myself for being so selfish.
After that, every step felt lighter. My hike through the woods is more accessible, and I feel more vital than ever! Only when the sky turned orange and warm, spreading the sun's arrival across the land, did I begin to feel different. I felt like someone was watching me. My body and mind slowly became aware of everything around us. I am not alone. My steps slowed, and I held my breath, hoping to hear better, and my eyes moved towards every potential movement. I sought out every strange-looking shadow, quickly scanning my surroundings.
Nothing. Nobody walked out of the shadows; no twigs snapped suddenly behind a bush. Nothing, nobody. But I still felt a burning gaze on my body and realized that whoever was watching me was following behind me. Not to make it too obvious, I walked in a broad curve, slowly changing my direction- same paste. There were no sudden movements, and now I am 100% sure someone is walking behind me. Someone's presence felt more and more real, as if their energy had only now become visible.
My heart started pounding. I couldn't help it, couldn't control it, but I continued to force myself to move forward- not run or even jog, but walk- like nothing had happened. But the second I took the first step out on the clearing, I ran. I held my breath, tightened every muscle, and sprinted into the open clearing as fast as I could. Then I stopped and spun around. Heaving for air, I watched the edge of the forest. My raging heart and rapid pulse filled my head and ears, but my eyes were glued to the precise border between the still-dark forest and the open field, now bathing in warm sun rays.
A soft breeze made grass and branches slowly sway, and birds softly started their morning song from a nearby tree. Frozen to the ground, I waited, refusing to stand down and anxiously waiting. I nearly gave up three times and started to feel irritated when a tall figure walked out of the shadows. When he stopped, our eyes met.