31. Loxley

31

LOXLEY

" T his was a bad idea."

I step cautiously through the lush foliage, my heart racing with each unfamiliar sound. The jungle of Aurelius is unlike anything I've ever experienced. Massive trees tower above me, their canopies filtering sunlight into dappled patterns on the forest floor. The air is thick with humidity and the scent of exotic flowers.

After a week of getting used to the area, learning about the island's history and its diverse inhabitants, I finally felt ready to venture out on my own. But now, surrounded by the wild beauty of Aurelius, I'm not so sure.

A rustling in the undergrowth startles me, and I freeze. My eyes dart around, searching for the source. A colorful bird emerges, its plumage a riot of blues and greens. It regards me with curiosity before taking flight, disappearing into the canopy above.

I exhale slowly, willing my nerves to calm. This is what I wanted, isn't it? To explore, to find a place where I could feel safe and start anew. But old habits die hard, and the urge to hide, to make myself invisible, is still strong.

As I continue my trek, I come across a small clearing. Sunlight streams down, illuminating a patch of vibrant flowers I don't recognize. Their petals shimmer with an almost magical quality. I kneel down, reaching out to touch one gently.

"What is…"

I freeze, my hand still outstretched towards the shimmering flower. In the distance, through a gap in the trees, I spot a figure that makes my blood run cold. Tall, imposing, with dark wings and curved horns - a demon.

My heart pounds in my chest as memories flood back. Screams, chains, the stench of fear. Without thinking, I bolt from the clearing, crashing through the underbrush. Branches whip at my face and arms, but I don't slow down.

I need to get away, to find somewhere safe. The waterfall. June mentioned it during our tour - a secluded spot, hidden behind dense foliage. My feet carry me instinctively in that direction as panic clouds my thoughts.

The sound of rushing water grows louder as I run. I glance back, terrified I'll see the demon in pursuit, but there's nothing behind me but the swaying trees and vines. Still, I can't shake the fear gripping my chest.

I burst through a curtain of leaves and find myself on a rocky ledge. The waterfall thunders down beside me, creating a fine mist that clings to my skin. I press myself against the damp stone wall, trying to catch my breath and make sense of what I saw.

Was it real? Or just a figment of my imagination, a ghost from my past? My torment was led by dark eves, and though I want to trust Lamain, he looks so much like them — though more sinister.

Aurelius is supposed to be safe, free from the terrors I've escaped. But seeing that demon, even from afar, has shaken me to my core.

"I'm okay," I whisper to myself. "I'm okay."

I slide down to sit on the wet rocks, drawing my knees to my chest. The constant roar of the waterfall drowns out my ragged breathing. I close my eyes, trying to calm myself, to remember the breathing exercises June taught me.

But all I can see is that dark, winged silhouette, and I wonder if I'll ever truly feel safe again.

I huddle against the rocks, my heart still racing, when I notice movement out of the corner of my eye. My breath catches in my throat as I see the demon emerge from the treeline. He's followed me here.

Panic surges through me, but I force myself to remain still, hoping against hope that he hasn't spotted me. To my surprise, he doesn't approach. Instead, he simply sits down on a nearby rock, his gaze turned towards the waterfall.

I watch him warily, my muscles tense and ready to flee at the slightest provocation. But he makes no move towards me. He just... sits there, seemingly content to enjoy the scenery.

Minutes pass, and still he doesn't acknowledge me. The roar of the waterfall fills the silence between us. Slowly, very slowly, I begin to relax, though I keep my eyes fixed on him.

From this distance, I can see him more clearly. His wings are folded neatly against his back, and his horns curve elegantly from his forehead. There's something almost peaceful about his demeanor as he watches the cascading water.

I find myself torn between fear and curiosity. Why did he follow me? Why isn't he approaching? Is this some kind of trick?

The demon shifts slightly, adjusting his position on the rock. I flinch instinctively, but he still doesn't look my way. He seems genuinely uninterested in my presence, content to simply exist in this moment.

As the minutes stretch on, I begin to wonder if perhaps I overreacted. Aurelius is supposed to be a sanctuary, after all. Maybe this demon means no harm. But years of trauma aren't easily overcome, and I can't bring myself to fully let my guard down.

So we sit in this strange, silent tableau. The demon on his rock, me huddled against the cliff face, with only the sound of rushing water between us.

As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in vibrant hues of orange and pink, I watch the demon rise from his perch. He stretches, his wings unfurling slightly, before turning to leave. To my surprise, he pauses, looking in my direction. For a moment, our eyes meet, and he gives me a small, silent nod before disappearing into the jungle.

I remain frozen in place for several minutes after he's gone, my mind whirling with conflicting emotions. The fear that initially gripped me has faded, replaced by a strange sense of... curiosity?

Slowly, I uncurl from my defensive position, stretching out my stiff limbs. The waterfall continues its steady roar, a constant backdrop to my tumultuous thoughts.

This encounter was nothing like I expected. The demon didn't attack, didn't even approach me. He simply... coexisted in this space, seemingly content to enjoy the beauty of Aurelius alongside me.

I think back to the stories June and Lamain shared about the island, about how it's a sanctuary for all kinds of beings. Could it be that the demons here are different from those I've encountered before? The thought is both unsettling and oddly comforting.

As I make my way back through the darkening jungle, I find myself reflecting on my preconceptions. I've spent so long living in fear, seeing danger around every corner. But maybe, just maybe, Aurelius is truly the safe haven I've been promised.

The encounter has left me with a mix of emotions I can't quite untangle. There's still a lingering wariness, born from years of trauma. But alongside it, I feel a spark of something new - anticipation, perhaps? A cautious hope for what life on this island might bring.

To Be Continued…

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