Something Here
By Jacob Kozarsky
“There’s something here. I need you to see this.”
You followed the mysterious stranger into the trees and the darkness. You had every reason to be on edge. After all, who in their right mind would follow a random figure deep into the forest? Yet somehow, you knew deep down that this wasn’t some sort of trick.
The stranger had spoken your name when you met. Clearly, they knew who you were, though you couldn’t recognize them as anyone you’d ever met. Still, their presence was strangely calming, reassuring you that you were not making some terrible mistake by going with them.
They moved with purpose, checking back every now and then only to make sure you weren’t falling behind. Whatever it was they wanted you to see, it was clearly urgent.
You followed the stranger past the trees and towards a cave. For just a moment, you hesitated. The stranger paused and looked back at you. “We need to hurry. The truth hurts, but I promise ignorance is much worse.”
You continued to follow them into the cave. Though it was hard to see, the stranger took your hand and guided you onwards. They clearly knew where to go.
The deeper the two of you went, the more you felt a feeling of dread building inside you. Not because you were afraid of the mysterious stranger, but because you were afraid of what kind of truth was so important that they needed you to come all this way.
Finally, you came to the edge of a large pit. The stranger stood back, as if they didn’t want to look into it. You knew that this was what they brought you to see.
You peered into the murky darkness below, your eyes straining to see whatever might be waiting inside. Slowly but surely, your eyes adjusted to the dimness of the cave, and you were able to make something out in the void below.
As you stared down into the pit, the dread you felt hit a breaking point. It was as if the very darkness itself was staring back, piercing your very soul. You felt as if the life itself was being drained from you. Whatever this… thing was, you needed to warn someone. You turned to shout something to the stranger who brought you to this cursed place, but there was no sign of them. The words died in your throat, though your hoarse, shaky breaths wouldn’t have made it easy to speak anyway.
Thoughts raced through your mind. You had to leave. The way back was almost second nature to you with how easily you recalled the way out of the cave and through the forest.
Soon, you reached the place where you had met the mysterious stranger before. Stopping for just a moment, you managed to catch your breath.
No sooner had you got your breathing under control when another figure came walking up the path towards you. They looked so familiar to you, yet you couldn’t place your finger on it. Somehow, you knew this person was important. They needed to know what you had seen earlier.
The person in front of you looked at you strangely. Your voice came out shaky, but you tried to sound as calm and reassuring as you could. “Follow me. I know this sounds strange.”
They tilted their head in confusion, but they took a step towards you. You motioned for them to follow before beginning to walk back towards the cave.
“There’s something here.
