Chapter Text
The feeling of regret. It pools inside of you, and you can't stop it. There's no way to describe this regret or even understand why you have it.
I have this feeling of regret. I don't know why, I don't understand why- but- it's there. I'm still here, but I feel as if I'm being watched. My hand clenches at my chest. It hurts. I feel like I'm still being watched. As if I am on the outside, watching myself perform like a marionette. It's hard being alone.
“I cannot take it anymore.” My voice groggily quavered, even if no one was there to speak. “Everything just feels.. wrong.. in a sense. Everything is wrong.” My throat is hoarse and my eyes are burning, I reach my hand up to feel my face- wiping away a gentle tear streaming down my cheek. It's burning.
I blink slowly, staring at the wooden roof above me, even if it’s blurry. Despite not sleeping all night, I barely feel tired. The crack of dawn peeps through my windows, and the woolen covers underneath me start to give an itchy feeling. An uncomfortable itchy feeling. Sitting up, I rub my eyes, and reach for my bedside table. I tap around before finding my glasses, grabbing them. I stick them on, letting out a grunt of annoyance due to the lenses being smeared.
“Perfect…” I mutter, standing.
Still halfway unable to see, I struggle to find the cloth I typically use to clean my glasses. My fingertips fell over the wood of the bedside table before finding the lip to the drawer- gliding down over the polished wood to find the smooth wood handle- and quickly opening it. I squinted- ironic, I know since I’m wearing glasses and therefore shouldn’t need to squint while wearing them.
I remove the glasses from my face, wiping them clean before putting them back on. My eyesight shifted in and out of a blur before finally settling. Everything was clearer, thankfully.
My arms stretched above my head,a strike of pain shooting through my body. The type of pain that came from the creation of nature itself. Bringing my hand down, I rubbed my temples and made my way downstairs.
Each step creaked on the wooden floorboards. Every creak and whine from the floor under me fills in the silence that the countryside seems to always have, especially over here. I glanced out my front window, observing my wheat before making my way to the kitchen to grab some bread.
I opened my bread box, grabbing the loaf. The bread was soft yet textured, settling it on the cutting board, my knife would cut into it swiftly with a small crunch. I would wrap them with some paper so I could travel with them, and put the rest of the loaf back.
My main mission for today- collect soul stuff from the weird world I've found.. yes.. stuff. I don't know how else to describe it. When I touch it, it's grainy like sand but it's cooler than the rest of the other dimension, especially when you dig deeper. Maybe like soil?
I don't believe anyone else around here has even found what this portal is, or does.
My feet hit against the floor as I charge back up the stairs… I almost forgot to get dressed. I clamored through my closet and changed out of my sleeping clothes- goodbye comfort- and cuffed my jeans before sliding my boots on.
I messed with my hair before getting it to lay right- then quickly put my helmet on before the hair could fall again. I haven't had the guts to cut my hair ever since Cleo disappeared.
Everyone around me tells me she's dead, I don't think she is. I'm experimenting with this soul stuff. I know it's dangerous messing with stuff that is from an alternative dimension- but I have a feeling it will work. Just… there's an itch and I have to scratch it, even if I die trying. If it means Cleo can live, I want it to happen.
I collect the armor and tools I need, setting them out as I start to gear up. First I strap up my legs and then move to my arms- and finally my torso. I adjust my helmet, and smooth out my hand pads. Finally, out of everything, I place my axe and pickaxe into their selected holsters.
I jingle as I walk down the stairs again, finally making my way through the furniture and down the corridor to the front. The sun burns my eyes as I squint, and I trot to the backside of my house- being sure not to trample over my fresh crops.
The birds whistle in the wind, trees rustling along with the squirrels and foxes nearby as I start my journey, following the slight path made through the forest. Each step careful not to flatten the bushes and flora.
I push through a bit of vine before eyeing the entrance of the cave. Excitement but dread filled my heart, pacing through the rest of the brush surrounding the entrance. I finally make my way into the cave.
The air got thick, and this may have been due to the fact my chest tightened or the fact there was less oxygen in here, but I pursued deeper into the cave. I brush my fingertips against the rough walls, wincing as I snap my hand back. I look at the injury with the gleam of light I have left- nothing serious.
Throughout the cave, my footsteps and armor echo along each wall and corridor. Clank clink clonk clank. Even if this doesn't work out, I'll always have my findings I can publish..?