The Forest Speaks My Name

By Leann DeFelice

Blackwood Forest. A place where normality is shattered and insanity takes hold. And once it takes hold, there is no escape. Keep running. Don't go outside after dark. And most importantly- Trust no one.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9781257829651

Book preview

THE FOREST SPEAKS MY NAME

BY

LEANN DEFELICE

CONTENTS:

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Chapter 1: The One With No Name………………4

Chapter 2: It Waits in Darkness………………….10

Chapter 3: The Man in the Mask………………...20

Chapter 4: The Village of the Damned…………..28

Chapter 5: A Nightmare’s Embrace……………...38

Chapter 6: When Darkness Falls…………………45

Chapter 7: A Deer’s Footprints…………………..51

Chapter 8: Follow the River……………………...57

Chapter 9: Sticks and Stones……………………..64

Chapter 10: Siren Song…………………………..70

Chapter 11: Worshippers of the Static…………...80

Chapter 12: On the Wings of an Angel…………..86

Chapter 13: Mouse Trap…………………………91

Chapter 14: Remembrance?.................................100

Chapter 15: Den of the Deer……………………108

Chapter 16: The Thrill of the Hunt……………..115

Chapter 17: The Forest Lives in us All…………122

Chapter 18: Call of the Serpent…………………129

Chapter 19: The Head of the Lost………………136

Chapter 20: Then There was Pain………………143

Chapter 21: Hand in Bloody Hand……………...149

Chapter 22: Was it Real?.....................................156

Chapter 23: Over and Over Again……………...163

Chapter 24: Ready or Not………………………168

Chapter 25: Rag Tag Team……………………..174

Chapter 26: Back Into Darkness………………..180

Chapter 27: The Heart Beats On………………..186

Chapter 28: Bleed Out………………………….192

Chapter 29: Strike of the Alpha………………...197

Chapter 30: Fighting Tooth and Nail…………...204

Epilogue………………………………………...213

Chapter 1:

The One With No Name

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I woke with the distinct understanding that I wasn’t alone. I could hear the sound of breathing, low and ragged near my ear, and the scraping of wood alongside it. My body ached, my chest tight and my legs heavy like lead. My head felt foggy and stuffed full of cotton, making it hard to think. I wouldn’t last in a fight. Not like this.

Facing my companion would be the best option, so I began to stir. The scraping noise quieted, making me all too aware of eyes burrowing into my back. Searching my very soul. I tried to ignore them, to focus instead on getting some feeling back into my limbs. My companion was patient with me, silently waiting for me to initiate contact. I looked at them, but my view was blocked by the crude, metal helmet on their head. The pieces were jagged, twisting around one another in a way that almost looked painful to the man underneath. Dark, beady eyes peered out at me from the darkness, glimmering like oil spills.

You lived, the man said, voice low and garbled. Almost as if they were choking on their own words. How are you feeling, Outlander?

Where am I? I replied, unwilling to answer him. There was no way of knowing how he’d react if I admitted my weakness. My body pulsed like a massive bruise, my skull splitting open. The man sighed, turning back to the piece of wood and knife clutched in his dirtied hands. That explained the scraping sound. He must have been whittling.

You've stumbled into hell Outlander, he said slowly, Into Blackwood. Into your death. He glanced at me, fiddling with his hands. I wanted to be annoyed at his brutal statement, but I found no malice in his voice. He was speaking the truth. Or, at the very least, what he saw as the truth. So, Outlander, how'd you wind up here anyway?

Why do you keep calling me that, I asked instead. Outlander. The term made my blood boil. Why exactly I didn’t know. My companion chuckled at my annoyance, shaking his head.

You're clearly not from here, the man explained, you're not...infected…not yet. The weight of his words sat heavy in my mind. Infected with what exactly? What sickness did he expect to claw its way inside of me? It took me a moment to realize he was still speaking. If you have a name, I'll gladly use it instead.

Of course, I have a name, I shot back, I- My mind drew a sudden, chilling blank. I had a name, I knew I did, and yet it escaped me. The more I tried to grasp it, the more it felt like trying to grab smoke with my bare hands. The more I tried to remember, the more I seemed to forget.

Can't remember can you Outlander, he said eventually, It’s alright. Most people in these woods can’t. It’s as natural as breathing here. He stood, dusting himself off with a mournful sigh. My chest ached at the thought that he'd leave me here. Abandoned in this hellscape with no direction. No idea who I was or where I was.

Where are you going? I managed to ask, hiding the majority of my anguish. Or at the very least, my companion didn’t seem to notice.

Someone has to ensure people like you don't litter the tree line with corpses, he said simply, But I'll give you one bit of advice, Outlander. Don't wander outside after dark. Light a fire and keep yourself indoors.

And if I don't? He shot me a look one might give a child who was acting particularly foolish. As if I was asking the dumbest question in the world. Who knew? Maybe I was.

You leave after dark, or don't bother to get a fire lit, then you'll be subject to the forest's will, he said flatly, you’d be lucky if a quick death is all you'd get out there. So take my advice and keep yourself squared away till sunrise. Or don't. I can’t control your actions, but I won't be around to save you again. His words rang with a certain amount of finality to them. And yet, I had no way of knowing if I could trust him.

I'll...keep that in mind, I said eventually. The man nodded and headed for the door as a new question invaded my thoughts. What should I call you? The man stopped, scratching under his mask before turning back towards me.

I don’t see how it matters, the man said, and I have no name, but many refer to me as The Guardian. You can call me that if you so desire. The Guardian. It suited the strange man. After all, he had saved my life.

So- My words were cut off once I looked up. The Guardian was gone as if he’d never existed to begin with. My chest constricted with anxiety, my breathing becoming more ragged. I was all alone again, lost in this strange world. I took a shaky breath before standing. It was still light outside, which meant I had time. I needed to get some supplies before hunkering down. Find food. Make a fire. Maybe reinforce the building. After all, who knew what was lurking in the trees.

I took the time to look over the place The Guardian had brought me to. It wasn't anything special, a simple little cabin with scraps of busted furniture left behind. Scratches littered the floor as if something or someone had ripped it apart in a fit of rage. I had to step carefully over the debris, searching for anything I could use. Some of the more intact furniture could make a good barricade, though one of the windows needed boarding up to ensure my safety. The Guardian's words still rang in my ears. His warning to stay inside after dark. A part of me wanted to ignore it, to see just why he'd been so adamant about it, yet common sense said there was a reason. I suppose I'd find out that night if I was particularly unlucky.

It took a few minutes for me to gather the courage to finally step outside of the cabin. The air chilled my exposed arms and face, making me quiver alongside the swaying trees. The sun was hard to make out, mottling the forest with a surreal orange hue. It caused the shadows to look sharper and more dangerous as if they could carve themselves into my very flesh and rend it from my bones. My chest ached with uncertainty, nearly making me dive back into the relative safety of the cabin. Instead, I pushed myself out into the open space, picking a direction and heading towards the trees. I needed to explore this place. I needed to before I lost the last of my nerve. With one last breath and a longing look to the cabin, I made my way into the trees beyond.

Chapter 2:

It Waits in Darkness

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The longer I walked amongst the trees, the less I believed The Guardian’s story. Blackwood looked like every other forest I’d ever been in...at least I thought so. The rustling of the leaves soothed my nerves, leading me deeper into the forest’s embrace. The wind was gentle and soothing, ruffling through my hair and cooling off my skin. I only stopped to gather some fruits and nuts, pulling my shirt off to make a makeshift pouch to carry them in. At least I wouldn’t go hungry that night.

The forest was starting to darken as I made my way back towards the cabin, my mind racing on what to do next. Should I take The Guardian’s words as truth? Or should I simply try and make myself comfortable for the time being. My thoughts were broken by the sound of something cracking that made me turn, my earlier fear rushing back into me.

Who’s there? I asked, twisting to look towards the noise. I didn’t expect any real form of an answer. After all, it had to be an animal...right? A deer or perhaps a bear if I was unlucky enough. Instead, a whimpering sound met my ears, as if someone had been badly hurt and was unable to speak. I swallowed, gingerly stepping closer to the trees as a thin figure clambered into hiding. Don’t be scared. I want to help you. Are you hurt? The pale creature raised its head, finally allowing me to fully see its visage.

It looked almost human, but its bones were frighteningly sharp under their papery skin. The skin was milky white as if all the color had leeched out of it. Its limbs looked painfully stretched, much too long for its body. Twisted, gnarled roots dressed their body, wrapping around its body and head like a twisted, thorny crown. Dark mottled bruising littered its skin, stark patches of darkness against their pale flesh. Dirt and reddened scratches were vibrant against the thing's arms, drawing out a need to help from somewhere within me.

Hurt, it said, its voice low and ragged as if it hadn't been used in years. Me. Hurt.

I can try and help, I offered again, holding a hand up in an offering of peace, if you'll let me come closer and see. The creature cocked its head, listening as it settled back on its haunches. After a moment it held out a twisted limb.

Hurt, it croaked again, come. I took that as good enough, setting my bundle down and approaching it. The pale thing rocked on its heels, swaying a bit as I approached. I didn't have any medical supplies, but the creature seemed fairly okay. Dirtied, malnourished, and likely tired, but fairly unharmed other than the scratches.

We should really get those scratches cleaned up, I said with as gentle a tone as I could muster, it could be disastrous if they get infected. The creature snarled at that, sharpened fangs on full display.

Infected, it echoed, violently clawing at its arms, It won't let go. A sudden, dawning realization chilled my blood, stopping me dead in its tracks. An infection. The Guardian had said I wasn't infected but was this thing? Would it infect me with some strange disease if I touched it? Was I infected already just by being this close to it?

What is it? I asked thickly, choking the words out, what is the infection? The creature froze, head bent as if inspecting its new wounds. I barely had the time to take a step back before it barreled into me, sending me to the dirt.

It is us, the creature said, We belong to the forest. Up close I could see the dried dirt and fluids around its mouth, breath stinking of putrid flesh. Its broken nails dug into my shoulders, holding me roughly in the dirt. I tried to shove it off, but it held fast. The creature was much heavier than it looked. The forest takes us all. Panic filled me, my arm reaching for