A D&D Halloween story

Photo by Francesco Ungaro from Pexels

It’s been… difficult, as of late. The deeper I trudge into the thicket, the more I am faced with my mortality. What is this place?

Every night, for the past month or so, since first stepping foot into this dreaded place, I am haunted by nightmares of my death or the death of those I love most.

I have not made very many close personal connections in my life. This has been made painfully obvious to me. And I can’t seem to escape these thoughts.

It certainly doesn’t feel as though it is from a lack of trying on my part. I treat everyone with kindness and respect, regardless of how I am treated because of these pointy ears. I try very hard not to be as arrogant and condescending as the rest of my people.

It is difficult for me to make deep emotional connections with others when it feels as though no one ever seems to be there for me as much as I am there for them. So losing them does not feel painful at all.

But I realize I’ve wasted too much time. I realize now... I’ve been scared.

I’ve hunted all sorts of terrifying creatures, like werewolves and such, and my courage has always pushed me through. But yet, every time I see her furry little face, I feel weak at the knees. Luckily, for me, this has never risen into my vocal cords. I’ve done very well at hiding my nervousness… or at least I think so.

She is my best friend! One of the catfolk, from Pineloche. To lose her, would be to lose the part of me that I have only just recently uncovered. But I swear, if I ever find my way out of this dreaded forest, I won’t waste another second. I will make her my wife.

As the darkness covers the earth, I step forward. Slowly. Alert, I draw my bow. I will not be sleeping this night. I’ve tried to leave this place during the light of day, but no matter which direction I take, I ended deeper and deeper into the thicket. So under the cover of darkness, I’ve decided the only way out must be deeper within.

Suddenly, I hear screaming in the distance. A dreaded sound that has every fibre of my being wanting to run towards it to help. I’ve seen no signs and no traces of anyone being out here. I would have spotted tracks if there were any.

The screaming sends a chilling sensation down my spine. I ignore the distraction and continue heading deeper into the forest. But as I do so, the spaces between the trees become tighter. The brush becomes thicker. The woodland walls start closing in around me. There is only one path now. No other directions to take, as I continue to squeeze myself deeper into the darkness.

The path leads me directly to the mouth of a cave. The smell hits my nose and practically knocks me out. A deep visceral growl comes from deep within the cave. There’s no going back now. I step inside.

With my senses completely on high alert now, and my arrow pointing straight ahead, every step I take feels like it could be the last. Every step feels like death.

The darkness feels thicker here, colder, as the cave descends underground. The putrid smell forcefully invades my nostrils without my permission. With each inhalation, I’m fighting back the urge to throw up.

What’s in here?

My vision is beginning to adjust to the darkness though it is still very difficult to see. While my vision is exceptional under low light conditions, I do not have Darkvision.

Stop.

It appears that my mind won’t allow my body to move any further. I can’t take another step.

Move!

My body won’t respond. It’s no use. It won’t move. My body refuses to take another step. Is this magic?

I think… I think there’s something in front of me. Or… someone.

The darkness seems to be giving way as two red orbs appear before me. No, not orbs, eyes!

A set of blood-red eyes opened in front of me. The darkness continues to subside, revealing the figure before standing there.

It’s… her. It’s… Mrissa. Her feline features are absolutely unmistakable. But why would she be here? It can’t be her. Could it?

She’s not even moving. She’s just standing there like a statue staring daggers into me.

Her jaw begins to unhinge as a horrifying screech escapes her, revealing vampiric-like fangs in the process.

Without further hesitation, I loose my arrow as she simultaneously leaps towards me. Sinking her sharp teeth into my jugular, I can’t help but let out a painful cry.

My back hits the floor with so much force that I feel like the earth was pushed down an inch where my body lay, writhing in pain.

This is it. There’s no escape from these woods. There’s no escape from this creature. Whatever this thing is, it’s on top of me now, blood dripping from its mouth and onto my face.

If any breath could come from this thing, it is certainly close enough that I should be able to feel it. I can hear her low deep growl but I can’t feel her breath.

Looking into her eyes now, I realize I’ve made a huge mistake. I can’t look away now.

My eyes are locked. And now they begin to feel heavy. I can’t keep them open. Do something! Don’t just lie here and fall asleep. This is not the time to sleep. Fight, damnit, fight!

But my body isn’t responding to me anymore. My eyes continue to feel heavier still. My blinking is becoming more slowed. I can’t…

…

Not like this…

…

Don’t…

…

Fall…

…

Asl…

…

eep…

…

…

…

Come on, damnit, fi…

The story continues in... The Haunted Hunter II: Shadows of Absolution