The Beast In The Water [story]

The thick growth of trees swayed above them as they walked silently through the grounds of the forest. Rarely any animals made their presence known in the forest, a chirp or two broke the silence every now and then, only to be swallowed by an unnatural gust of wind.

William took the lead hesitating every once in awhile to glance around or to place a hand on a tree, as if resting with concentration. What braveness Rainier had left, she did not dare question him. Her head ached immensely and whatever frightened her in her dream left her feeling completely and utterly vulnerable. She was thankful for William, but for another reason unknown to her. She was drawn to him and would catch herself gazing at his lips, hands, or eyes when he rested. Something about him was so familiar.

The sound of running water snapped Rainier back to reality. They had been walking for a while, still in a blanket of silence. A wide stream lay in front of them, shallow and with very little current. A log had fallen into the stream giving a decent way over, but ended roughly four feet away from the bank. William paused when he reached the stream and looked back as Rainier approached.

"You'll go across first. Don't touch the water." His voice was strong with an undertone of sympathy as he watched her swaying where she stood.

"Thanks, I'll be fine." She said as she waltzed passed him and placed her hands on the dead log. William held out his hand and without thought Rainier had taken it. She was swaying and her heart twitched and thumped with force beneath her breast. She began to walk across the log as he watched from the bank. How her feet found their way was a mystery to her, her hand burned with an eerie sensation of love and death, unexplainable even to herself but evident. She knew that on the other side she would never feel the same again. She glanced behind her as William mounted the log ready to make his way, he was watching her. She longed to touch him and to be held in his arms. She panicked at the new sensation welling in her chest and a tingle ran down her spine like a snake. She didn't realize it when her foot slipped, and her body slowly tilted over towards the water.

"NOOOOO- Rai--" Echoed in her ears as she fell in.

Rainier stood up in a different world. There was a thick grey covering the scene and the trees seemed to hang lower than usual, creating a cage like atmosphere around her. William was no where to be seen. A chill shocked her senses and she whipped her head around to stare into the black eyes of a monster. Fear consumed her and the beast seemed to sense it. Its chest was heaving as it took in her scent and it reached out a hand to grab her throat. Rainier was paralyzed with fear but watched the beast with interest. There was an understanding born between them. Hunter and prey. She understood her weakness and gave little struggle when its horrid claws clamped into her neck. It spoke to her like a leader. Her eyes widened and her heart sank with its words.

Just then she felt a grip around her wrist and was yanked so hard that her feet left the ground. She was on the other stream bank with William pulling her away from the stream. Blood ran down her neck from the pull from the beast's claws. The old and familar scenery had returned. William held her head in his hands, "What did you see?!" his eyes pierced through her and she struggled to her feet. She had heard what the beast had told her and William could never know. "Rainier, what did you see, please?!" His voice was fearful and urgent, whcih made her struggle away from him more. He frowned and let her go. She stumbled to her feet and started to run. She forced herself through the trees and growth. "RAINIER!" Yelled William from behind her but she didn't look back, she couldn't look back, and she continued to run. Away from herself and away from the one she had grown to love.

William could never know..