Sheer terror filled her as she opened her eyes to darkness. All around her she could feel fingers brushing her clothing, ensnaring her, trying to hold her hostage within their depths. Rustling sounds assailed her senses as she turned this way and that, trying to make sense of her surroundings. But to no avail, her memory was a clean slate, tabula rossa.
Where was she? Who was she?
She closed her eyes, willing herself to take deep breaths. She was clearly, in a forest of some sort. She listened to the distant calls of various birds, immersing herself in the calm natural serenity of the night. Even her eyes began to adjust to the night, as the shadowy wisps of hands lurking in the darkness faded becoming mere branches and leaves.
Suddenly to her left, she heard a soft crack as a twig upon the ground snapped. How did she distinguish this single sound from the rest? She didn't know. But as the wildlife quietened and her senses tingled, alight with adrenaline, a voice within her screamed "run".
