Page 18 of Corrupted Torment

Lying here awake, I know everything has changed. There’s no way I got here from the train alone. Jagged stones beneath my body are a harsh reality check into this new nightmare I’ve landed in. The sunshine beats down from a cloudless sky across my unknown surroundings, while waves breach the rocks slowly sweeping towards me.

I know I’ll need to move soon, but shock has overtaken my body. My mind is not complying with logic. I should still be on the train; I had been so close to my freedom. My independence, not whatever this is.

I feel around me, searching for the backpack I had taken with me on my journey the night before, and come across nothing. Sighing, I push myself upright, my muscles and joints creaking in protest, making me wonder just how long I have been in this position. My shoulders sag as I look around and see it's empty of my precious things. Someone has taken it.

It’s not the clothes I’m bothered by, or hell, even the bit of money I’d ruthlessly saved up so I could leave. It was the little mementos, the photos of those times when my parents were actually a family to me, now long gone, lost to me, that has a lump forming in my throat. There are no second copies of those pictures. No proof those times ever existed outside of my memory.

Giving myself a moment, I shut my eyes, taking in a deep shuddery breath. I just need to remember I’m alive. That is the most important thing in this situation. I concentrate on my breathing for a few brief minutes, letting go of not only the grief of losing my planned escape but also my family pictures.

Now is not the time to lose my temper.

First thing I need to do is find the fucker who did this. Only then can I lose my shit. Getting to my feet, I look in both directions along the beach and ponder which route I should take. I discount the dense forest behind me, it will be easier to spot others out in the open on the beach. In this weather, there’s bound to be someone walking a dog or something, right?

At random, I choose to go right, following along next to the lapping waves of the shore. I try to ignore the biting pinch of the stones cutting into my bare feet that brings attention to the obvious. Whoever brought me here took my shoes too. I wade into the water, the cool ocean soothing my feet. The sharp pebbles crushed down into smoother shards and eventually into sand as I let the water raise to my knees.

I don’t know how long I’ve been following the shore, but I’m yet to see any sign of others. It’s starting to look like this is an undiscovered deserted island, which is completely nuts. I mean, someone must have brought me here, so there must be others, right?

I can’t be alone.

Maybe I took the wrong direction? Maybe I should have gone left. I might have ended up at some island resort and found myself in luxury. I scoff to myself, knowing the possibility of that is still unlikely. However much I wish for it.

Noises from the treeline have me spinning to face them, peering into the dense thicket of trees. Is it an animal, or people that has me so tense? I don’t know which I hope for most. I’ve been walking for a few hours now at least, and the intensity of the sun hasn’t let up. My mind is a little less than on top form.

Fatigue is immense, with my muscles burning from continuous use. My skin cracks and peels from the heat, but I’ve not relented, I have to continue on until I find someone. The cover of the shade sounds nice, but in the time I’ve been splashing the water’s edge, my mind wanders to how I came to be here. The ideas ruminating inside my head have been nothing outside of horrific to what lies further inland.

“Hello?”

I instantly feel stupid for calling out. Why couldn’t I just keep quiet and keep a vigilant watch? I’m like that one character in those horror movies. The one who has the murderer jump out at them the next minute and I can’t believe I just did that; I’m so going to die.

“Hey, who is that?” A male voice shouts back from the trees. They don’t sound too old. Maybe it’s another teenager like me, but why are they lurking in the shade of the forest rather than out in the sun? Something seems incredibly wrong with this situation.

“Come out here, show yourself,” I yell back, not liking the fact they remain hidden. My stomach is in knots with nervous energy. I wade to the water's edge, aware of the danger lurking, and how the waves will not aid me should I need to run.

“Okay, but my friends would rather stay in the shadows, much cooler for them. It’s too hot out in the sun,” his tone is smug, making me tense. A bare-chested boy around my age steps out from the trees, thick hair falling into his eyes. As he moves into the sun, I catch sight of multiple lines scoring one of his arms. Deep red slashes gorged out of his flesh, looking like a blade intentionally sliced through them. I shudder.

As he steps out, multiple fires light inside the trees, lighting up the shadows of many figures. I take a splashing step away as the boy walks closer towards me, his eyes lighting up with amusement and malice. I try to count the figures, but as the lights bob and sway, I realise they must be holding torches. It appears like they are numerous, especially when the cackles and yells follow my movement as I back away further.

“Stay back,” I stammer. I frantically look around me, wondering what I should do. Everything in my gut is screaming at me not to trust this gang with there being so many. I move to the shore; glad I’d had the foresight to move closer earlier and start to edge even further from the boy before me.

His eyes track my every movement.

“Hey, over here! This way!” My head spins to the voice and I catch sight of two figures in the distance waving towards me frantically. I have two choices: the wiry teenager with his flaming entourage ahead of me or these two calling for me along the beach. Both could be traps, or neither, but I follow my instincts and race up the pebbled beach.

Howls and jeers follow my pounding footsteps, the rocks once again slicing into my bare feet. Their crashing footfalls behind me keeps my pace fast, desperate to escape them. A large stone crashes into the water, splashing by my feet, then another splaying stone just behind me. I swerve as they launch projectiles in a continuous barrage. Large rocks and fiery wood barely missing me as I dodge back and forth.

As I come closer to the two figures, I notice the men behind are further away. Maybe lacking the stamina to keep up with my speed and desperation to escape, although the main boy is still on my trail.

Ahead of me, the two boys gesture for me to follow them into the trees, and I do so without thought. I have no choice now, trap or not. I fling myself after them, keeping them in my eyesight and hope to lose my entourage behind.

I don’t know how long we run, how far, but as I start to stumble and trip, my body heavy with exhaustion, I know I can’t keep moving for much longer. I strain my ears and as far as I can tell, we’ve lost the men from behind.

“Hey. They’ve given up,” I yell out, as I slow to a stop. I bend down, putting my hands on my knees and let out heaving breaths. The crunch of leaves underfoot alerts me to the approach of the others, and I stand upright once more. I watch as the two boys step closer towards me, one tucked just behind the other.

“Thanks, I appreciate your help there. I’m Solomon,” I smile, sticking my hand out to the blonde boy. He eyes me for what seems like a lifetime before eventually taking my palm into his own. His grip is firm, and I find myself questioning who this guy really is.

Peeking from around behind this wall of muscle is a kid. Kind of scrawny looking, clinging onto the guy’s other hand so tight his knuckles go white with the strain. It doesn’t take a genius to realise he is scared.

I take a step back from the two, giving the kid some space to breathe. His shoulders relax, though only slightly, as his deep green eyes study me. His emerald depths almost piercing my soul as I shift from foot to foot, unused to such scrutiny.

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