Fragment 003 — Stranger to Myself

This place is so unfamiliar to me. Although my memories are vague, non-existent even, I can’t help but feel like I don’t belong here. Deep down, my heart feels lost. I feel a part of me is missing. But even still, I feel I am where I am meant to be.

I have lain on this floor for far too long staring at the red sea of sand before me. Then it hit me. Where did I come from, that containment of darkness. Scrambling to my feet, I spin to look behind me.

“W…what is that?” A few feet behind me lay the most grotesque sight I could imagine. A lifeless corpse, a horrifying creature. Its eyes were dark, empty, soulless and mournful. Its mouth frozen in an endless gasp of terror. From its back protruded long, slender limbs ending in jagged, spiked points.

I stepped closer, drawn despite myself. Its flesh sagged in layers, skin dry and torn, as if it had lain here for days. Then I saw it: a sack beneath its torso, split down the centre, spilling unknown fluids and matter.

Too focused on the carcass in front I had failed to realise what was happening in the near distance. Startled by a harrowing scream slicing through the air, my head shoots up. My legs give way and my heart stops as I drop to the floor.

”What is this nightmare?” My chest tightens, forgetting to breathe I slip into a haze of shock. Moving towards me with alarming speed and intent, a small group of those monsters advance. I know I should run, but my legs are not moving. I just sit, watching as a scene from my nightmares grows closer.

”Come on! Move!” As reality grew closer I managed to convince myself to get up. It’s easier now that the momentum is going. The screams get louder, the monsters get closer. I start running as fast as I can, but I don’t think I can outrun them. It’s inevitable, they will catch me. I don’t even know where I am running to.

Scanning the scene ahead, I see nothing but sand, rock and decaying foliage. In the distance there are some cliffs and hills, but that is neither of use to me or somewhere I will reach before being caught by these creatures.

”Dammit!” Is this it? This is how my memories end? Birthed out the stomach of a monster only to be hunted and torn apart by its kin? This can’t be it all. There…there must be something I can do. Eyes darting, I search desperately for anything, anything that might give me a chance. At the edge of my vision, barely noticeable, the ground dips. A slope, subtle but real. My heart leaps. Even if it means falling, I might outrun them. I’ll take the fall on my own terms rather than be ripped apart.

I adjust my course toward the edge. ”This is useless, I don’t think I’m going to make it” I could hear the pounding on the ground as the creature's legs pierced into the sand behind me. Every few seconds I feel the wind from passing swipes at me. My legs struggle to hold up my body as they quiver below me. Between the frequent attempts of attacking me and my weak legs, I collapse, hurtling to the ground, my legs fly over my head and I spin frantically across the red floor.

The monsters scramble to stop themselves at the sudden halt in my movement. Their long legs might aid them in speed, but not in grace. They stumble over one another, crashing together, unprepared for the abrupt stop.

Is this it? Have I caught a break, another chance? My feet dig into the sand, searching for solid grip, clawing at the shifting ground to launch myself forward again.

Just as I find my way forward one of the monsters manages to get a last second swipe at my leg.

”Aaarrggh!” I give out an agonising scream. I attempt to ignore the pain and move on, thumbling with every step I take. Could I still make it to the edge? It seems in reach, or at least if I didn’t take that last hit.

Pushing through the pain I press on. Each step feels like a marathon. The sounds of the creatures attack my ears from behind. They begin to find balance and regain composure to continue to chase.

“Just a little further now!” I cheer myself on. I can see it—the drop. I’ve reached the cliff’s edge…

Why have I stopped moving? A searing heat burns in my shoulder. My eyes lower.

“Uuuuh!!” My breath, ripped from me as a long, jagged limb has pierced through my chest.

My eyes widen and the rest of my body falls limp and crumbles. The knife-like limb gets removed with a sudden pull. Leaving me free to fall forwards. Crashing to the ground. My body, convalescing uncontrollably. With the last of my energy, I force myself to flip onto my back. There I stare face to face with the creature's hollow, lifeless eyes.