Page 104 of Diluted Truths

Wait… that’s not right?

“Don’t think too hard about it,” he responded.

I jerked at the sound of the door closing. I went to it, trying to open it again, only to be met with a locked door.

“What in the?” I whispered. I did this before. But when?

I turned to see Nate sitting down. “You can try. It won’t open until it’s time.”

Missing for Five Days

The ground beneath me was cold and damp. I slowly opened my eyes. I was on the ground. Why was I on the ground? I looked around, trying to get a sense of my surroundings. I was in the clearing from my dreams. It was all the same. The cabin, the woods, the light coming from the cabin.

“Jack!”

I whipped around to find where the voice had come from. I saw a figure running at me, at full speed. Who was that? I squinted trying to get a better look. Was that Nate?

As he got closer I confirmed that it was him.

“Jack! You need to run! Now!” he yelled. I looked behind him to see another figure chasing him.

I listened to his commands and took off through the clearing towards the woods.

I stopped to take a breath. I had been running as fast as possible for so long I lost track of how far I had gone. I couldn’t stop for long. I couldn’t let him catch up, or maybe I had to catch up to him?

I-I couldn’t remember.

Why couldn’t I remember? I looked around trying to get my bearings. I was in a forest and couldn’t see past the trees. They were everywhere and towered so high I couldn’t see where they ended. They completely obscured the sky but the moonlight filtered through the branches.

Fuck, I couldn’t stop. I needed to keep running.

I took off through the trees. I needed to run as fast as I could. My thighs burned from the exertion but I kept pushing myself. I could hear footsteps. Were they in front or behind me? Was I chasing someone or was someone chasing me? Why couldn’t I remember? My feet ached, why did they hurt so badly? I looked down to see I had no shoes on. Why did I leave without my shoes?

“Jack!” I whipped around towards the source of the voice. It was Nate. Why did I forget he was here with me?

He was quickly by my side and took me by my shoulders. “You need to run. Don’t stop.”

“Why?” I asked, confused.

He paused for a moment before muttering a quiet, “Fuck.” He looked behind him for a moment before turning back to me. “I know none of this makes sense. I know you don't know where you are, or what’s happening. I just need you to do one thing. Okay?”

I nodded in confirmation.

“I need you to keep running. Do. Not. Stop. Okay? Keep running. You’ll know when it’s safe.”

“What about you?” I asked, confused why he was only referring to me.

Didn’t he need to be safe too?

“It’s not my time yet. It’s yours, okay? I know, none of it makes sense, but I need you to trust me. Can you do that?” he asked.

“I trust you. I can do that.”

He pulled me into a tight hug, one I reciprocated without hesitation. After a moment he pulled back, still not letting go. “It’s going to be okay. Will will be there. He’ll keep you safe now.” He looked behind himself again before turning back one last time. “I’ll see you soon. I love you, Jack. Keep running. ”

“I love you too, Nate,” I responded and looked at him for a moment before finally turning and running as fast as I could.

I could hear steps behind me as I continued my sprint through the unknown territory. God, I wish I had worn shoes, my feet were killing me. I wasn’t sure if it was Nate who was behind me or whoever was chasing him. I didn’t stop to check, I just kept running.