Dream 2: Nightmare Walk part 1

We all arrive ready for the next big thrill. The invite was vague but the address checked out. We entered the hotel exited to check in. The front desk greets us collecting our things and providing instructions for the next steps. We gather in the ball room where we are told to select our character. Animal masks lay across the table, I was the last to choose leaving me with the rabbit mask, equipped with bunny ears that sit a foot above my head.

I’m complimented by the fox on my cuteness. I do a small curtsey and smile happy to hear I look ok in the mask. The Bear and Dog head for a door that seems to appear from nowhere. The bird follows as do I excited for the game. As we step through, we enter a world that isn’t ours. Everything is gigantic, the trees, the stones. We seem to be on the side of a path where a farmhouse sits built for our size.

We walk in and are greeted by a sign stating the rules.

Rule 1: All players must participate to the end. Once the game has started you cannot return to the beginning.

Rule 2: Masks must stay on at all times; removal will lead to disqualification and death.

Rule 3: You have the day to reach each safety check point where you will take shelter. You will be safe only at these locations. You have been given a map to lead you to these locations.

Rule 4: You can use any form of transportation to reach the check points

Rule 5: if you are not in the check point safe space before night you will be locked out and will have to hide until morning.

Rule 6: You cannot leave until all remaining players have reached the finish.

We all read over the instructions taking note to the hint of possible death. “They wouldn’t let us get hurt in here, right?” the bird questioned to herself out loud. The Bear and Dog had already begun to grab their designated packs. I grab mine checking the contents: a canteen, the map with the route outlined, a fire starter, rope, a knife and some snacks. I guessed the knife was for cutting through the brush or something and hoped it wasn’t for self-defense.

We checked the rest of the barn for possible additional supplies. We found none and left the barn. The Bird and the Fox lingered in the doorway of the barn unsure of what to do next. I began to search around the barn when I heard the sound of a car engine coming from the other side of the barn. The Dog was behind the wheel of a small old looking car. Black smoke puffed from the exhaust pipe. The Dog grinded happy to have found the car first. The sound also caught the attention of the Bear who jogged from wherever they were. The Dog let the car roll a bit before putting pressure on the petal. It kicked and let out a loud bang from the car backfiring. We all jumped a bit at the sound not sure if the vehicle was going run or explode.

The Bear hopped into the passenger’s side, ignoring the Dog’s protests and threatening him with the knife. He told the dog to drive eyeing the rest of us to see if we would be a problem. We watched idle as they puttered off down the cobbled path, black smoke leaving a trail behind them.

The voice of the Fox brought us back to our senses, “We need to get moving, I don’t know the scale of this place, but I know we won’t reach the first check point by dusk. It looks like late mid-day here and the map has the first check point at least 15 miles away.”

The Bird and I agreed we should start moving, who knows what was out here. “We might be able to find shelter in between to get through the night,” I said trying to sound hopeful. We set out being vigilant with every step. Unfamiliar sounds surrounded us as we walked. A large shadow loomed over us slowly like a giant bird. We scattered to the tall grass no longer feeling safe on the path.

The only resemblance the creature had to a bird was its wings. It flapped slowly coasting on the breeze looking for its prey. It had what looked like

dark feathers but the body was wrong. Its head was elongated coming to a point, its mouth was short with tentacles swirling about. I guessed it was to smell the air; I hoped never to find out. The body was round. If I hadn’t seen the head, I would have assumed it was a large bat flying in the daytime. Its tail was long and thin like a mouse. The back legs had talons on the toes. We hid out of sight praying we weren’t spotted. It kept flying in the direction of the smoke coming from the old car. It was too far away to see with the naked eye, but the smoke trail was consistent.

We waited to see if any other dangers were a foot before leaving our hiding place. As the day went on, we made sure to stick close to the tall grass. As the sun set. We debated continuing through the night. The Fox and the Bird were on board with continuing to walk through the night and resting when we reached the checkpoint. We knew for sure that was safe, and there was no rule regarding how long you could stay there. The Fox felt getting to the checkpoint would allow us to take the day to rest and explore the area for supplies. Returning to it that night and continuing in the morning.

The game wasn’t really a race; we all just had to be at the end to get home together. Nothing was said regarding a time frame to complete the course. We kept walking watching the sun’s light fade away. The darkness pressed in on us. The idea of walking in pitch black unnerved me. With no light in the sky, it took all we had to make out shapes on the path. Around us glowing eyes moved, dancing around us light fireflies. Some in pairs others in groups of 4 and 6. All different levels above us. We hadn’t been spotted yet and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to know what type of being, possessed such eyes.

Fear of being spotted kept us from making a fire for light. We would be seen for sure. We had shifted away from the grass when the eyes began to appear afraid of being picked off in the darkness. We stayed close together towards the middle of the path.

Occasionally feeling the brush of something large passing beside us. The Bird had clasped her hands over her mouth to keep from screaming in fear. We had moved her to the middle to keep her from giving our location away. Every now and then you could hear a whimper from her as the gust of wind hit us from either direction from the passing of creatures in the night.

My foot caught on something, and I fell with a gasp. Still aware of the possible danger around us. I quickly got to my feet inspecting myself for any damage. I could hear the Fox and Bird’s footsteps approaching slowly. “You good?” the Fox whispered loudly enough for me to hear. “Yeah,” I whispered back trying to use my foot to find what I fell on. I hadn’t registered the sweet smell of antifreeze before I tripped but now the smell was unmistakable. I held out my hand feeling for the old car but felt nothing. My shin collided with something hard almost causing me to fall again. I reached down trying to feel for the car. I felt wetness and prayed it wasn’t blood. A flash of the flying creature filled my mind causing my imagination to visualize the Dog and the Bear’s possible ending.

I sniffed my hand hesitantly, knowing my mind was heighten my fear in the darkness. Being unable to tell the color of the substance on my hand made me think the worse. I exhaled relived, antifreeze. It was just the car leaking. At least from where I was standing. I didn’t have the courage to further investigate the scene fully without light. “What was it?” I heard the bird say, her voice trembling.

“Just the car.” I answer, “Antifreeze” holding up my palm they couldn’t see. “Any survivors?” the Fox asked, “I can’t tell if they were in it,” I answered honestly. “We can check back in the morning when there is light.”

In the distance a glow arose, coming from what looked like a large cottage. It helped illuminate the road some, giving us a glimpse of silhouettes in the night. The Bird whimpered again, steadying herself to flee. Massive figures marched on away from the cottage fading into the shadows.