The VFMS Spark | Page 69

to look at. Starved by the elements. Beaten by the forest, stripped of my power, my family. My face had aged 5 years, once blanketed with warmth and love, now thinned and stripped of its former vibrant appearance.

“Don’t expect mercy. You were found on sacred ground.” He booms, waking me out of my trance.

“Wasn’t expecting any,” I replied. I already knew what I wanted him to do for me, mymind was made up. “I want to die,” I said bluntly. His eyes flickered.

"Why do you find this to be the solution to your problems?” He roared. He broke his calm expression and look into my eyes, instead of at my features.

“I have no reason to live,” I exclaimed.

“Fine coward, you have my consent,” he replied. Coward. He called me a coward. My family killed, my wealth gone, my emotion and thrill for life taken away by this accursed forest. Death was the only outcome I could look forward to.

“Coward?” I said, questioning his word choice.

“Such promise, so young. Taking your own life when you have a bright future ahead of you."

“What future?"

“That's for you to decide. Whether it's death or staying here with us.”

“I wake every morning into a nightmare. I would rather sleep than be awake.”

“Well then change the scenery, leave behind this place and the love ones you lost. Say goodbye.”

Diane. I will see you again, but right now I need to keep moving forward. I need to go out and see the world. I need to embrace the darkness that surrounds me and learn to overcome it. I need to be Dan. I need to say goodbye.

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