How did I get lost?

Ryan has never been comfortable with the vast forest being so close to the house. ‘Watch out for the Blair witch’, he says with a creepy smile and sinister tone, when he sees me leaving and heading there. But I’ve never been afraid of wandering alone among the tall trees and mossy stones. Often I take pleasure in imagining I’m the first person to venture on these grounds, as I push further every time I take a walk.

But now that the day is drawing to a close, I can’t shake off the anxiousness rising. Earlier, I was crossing the stream down the waterfall, carefully stepping on the slippery rocks so as not to end up in the cold water. I had already been to the other bank on a previous occasion but I had never strayed too far from the stream. I had never explored the other side. After walking a bit (I remember I could no longer hear the water running), I was standing at the entrance of a tree alley. Until then, the trees that had surrounded me had reached high in the sky, with enough space between them to let the light come through. But the ones I was facing back then were different. Short and twisted, their crooked branches reaching at each other, all tangled up. It looked like a corridor leading to… where? I had to see. As I moved between the dark, tormented trees, I noticed I could not hear a single sound, except for the ones I made. Barely any light pierced through the leaves above me. Maybe I should have been frightened but I was too focused on the end of that corridor to register. I just kept on walking.

That was a couple of hours ago. I think. Why does it feel like a different lifetime, though? And where is that alley? I’m sure I retraced my steps but the crooked trees are nowhere to be found. Don’t panic. I take a look at my mobile phone. No reception of course. Not that it matters anyway since Ryan is away for the weekend with his girlfriend. Does 911 work without a signal? Don’t panic. It’s not nighttime yet. Just walk in the direction of the sunset, you’re bound to find something if you keep on going west. A house. A road. Something.

Up ahead I see a faint light among the vegetation. A fire. I’m saved. I quicken my pace, almost tripping a couple of times as darkness has now completely engulfed the woods. I actually let out a chuckle as I imagine my housemate making fun of me when I tell him about my little misadventure. ‘I warned you about the witch, she’ll get you next time.’ Yeah yeah, Ryan, I’ll be extra careful from now on. I reach a clearing, ready to thank whoever had the wonderful idea to set up camp in this part of the forest. As I see the figure sitting on a fallen trunk next to the fire, I freeze. Though it could dwarf the biggest strongman, it wasn't just its massive size that made me stop in my tracks. He’s green. There’s no doubt about it. The creature illuminated by the large fire has green skin. He’s looking at me. Two thick canine teeth protrude from his bottom jaw. They look like… tusks. Against all reason, a word flashes through my mind. A three-lettered word. Orc. ‘You startled me, human.’ His powerful voice makes me come out of my numb state. I’m not dreaming. The hulking creature in front of me is an orc. ‘Not many of your kind travelling on their own in this part of the shire.’ I can only stand there, speechless. ‘Are you alright? You seem lost.’ He eyes me up and down. ‘Never seen garments like yours before. Where are you from?’ ‘I’m definitely lost’, is all I can utter. He smiles, revealing his mighty canine teeth further. Despite the intimidating appearance, the dangerous-looking tusks and the bulging muscles that stretch his white tunic taut, there’s something oddly gentle emanating from his gaze. He motions to the spot next to him. ‘Don’t be frightened, come and sit by the fire. Maybe good ol’ Torrghen can help. Where are you headed?’ As I tentatively take a seat next to this unexpected companion, I try to think about how I’m going to explain my situation to a being that only existed in novels and films a couple of hours ago for me. All I know for sure is that my life will never be the same again…


Commission done by  kumalove