literature

Survival

Deviation Actions

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Literature Text

The night was cold and the ground hard as Ophelia was pushed roughly out the back door, her mother screaming behind her. Lia had learned to block her mothers angry insults out by now, but the bruises on her body and dirt on her face were not things that could be ignored. The back door was slammed and locked before she even had the chance to stand and brush herself off. Begging and crying would be useless, so she steeled herself against the cold in her thin, dingy nightgown. With a final glance at the bedroom window where her siblings were looking out in sympathy, she began to head towards the woods.

Most children would be frightened by being alone in the woods that night. Stories of evil men and giant animals waiting to snatch you up and end your life were told as bed time entertainment to nearly every generation of toddlers so that they knew the dangers of straying out alone. However the woods have always been a safe haven to Ophelia. The vast woodland that layed just beyond her backyard fence gave many hiding places and safe holes for her to escape the hell that was her house, especially on nights where she was not wanted.

she moved deeper into the forest, a strong feeling of foreboding settled over her, although she did not yet have a word for it. The once safe woods felt dangerous, as if some unknown entity was following and watching. Panic started to rise and she moved faster, holding herself to brace against the growing breeze. Eventually she came upon a large tree near the center of the woods. It had been a place that she came to know very well. Rope and planks hung off at odd branches and she easily scaled the tree to rest on a particularly thick bow. Finally somewhat safe from the wind, she attempted to lay back and close her eyes. The menacing presence was still there, but her young brain rationalized that the unseen beast would not be able to scale the tree without first waking her. Calming her fear, she slowly drifted off to sleep, her small body curling up in on itself.

She woke with a start after and unknown period of time, peering captiously around at her surroundings. Nothing. A small sigh of relief erupted from her small chest and she began to lay back on the tree again when something on a branch above her caught here eye.

Words can not begin to explain the real fear she felt gazing upon this creature. Unhuman as it looked, there was still a humanoid aspect to it. It crouched above her, body pale and naked, staring down at the child below it. It’s eyes, it’s fucking EYES. They were just black pits, and although by any natural means it should not be able to see, something told her that it was observing her very closely. Even a child like Ophelia, who had dealt with monsters of every make and model, knew that this thing was here to end her. Every bone in her body screamed at her to run, but all she could do was gape helplessly at the ghastly being above her.

She had barely had time to process all this before the creature pounced, landing heavily on top of her. A searing pain began in her abdomen as the thing raked a long, clawed hand into her body, leaving thick gashes in it’s wake. She screamed, shock waves rippling the air and causing the monster to jump back. Without thinking she rolled out of the tree, landing hard on the ground before scrambling into her feet and running. She only glanced back once to ensure the monster was still following her, gaining rapidly.

The once friendly woods had become a menacing labyrinth. It is a suprise she did not trip on something in her rapid escape from the creature. Her malnourished body was quickly wearing out but she knew if she stopped moving for even a moment the creature would decend upon her and kill her. Eventually she the trees began to thin and streetlights could be seen close on the horizon. She screamed for help, running past houses she only faintly recognized until coming across one that she knew. She had memorized the appearance and the number on the door confirmed her suspicions. Ophelia ran around the side, throwing herself hard against the back door and screaming. Screaming for help, screaming to be let in, screaming for Weston to just open the door.

Within moments the windows lit up and a frightening looking boy opened it. He objected, his mom would KILL him, but she pushed past him, closing the door and locking it before devolving into a gibbering mess. Within seconds scratches could be heart, which turned into banging, sparking the fear and adrenalin to return to Ophelia. She grabbed Weston by the hand and lead him up stairs, pulling a blanket around the two of them and trying to ignore the unholy howling and banging coming from outside.

“Don’t look out the window.” She said simply as Weston stood to check on the source of the noise. “He will kill us both.” Her throat closed before she could explain, and they stayed sitting up the entire night, until dawn broke and the noises receded back into the dank recess that thing had crawled out from.

Ophelia snuck out before Wes’ parents had a chance to know she was even there, walking home in the new daylight, avoiding the tainted woods. Her step father was awake and angry, and she was forced into a bath of salt water and then shoved down the stairs.

Left alone in the dark, dank cellar, Ophelia chanced a glance at the small window that was parallel with the ground. Those eyes. Those fucking EYES. They had been there, but the moment she looked up, they had vanished. Laying down on the filthy, stained mattress she willed the apparition to go away and eventually fell into a fitful sleep.
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AddictArtistAndia's avatar
Been enjoying this so far. I hope to see more about Ophelia and her bro. I know you told me about the whole hunting down the Slenderman and such, this is pretty exciting and makes me wonder what'll happen next.