Checkpoint Regression

As we leave the estate, I turn my head to look at the misery I'm leaving behind. Just as I am about to turn away, I see someone watching me. 

Benjamin

I'm not sure why he is looking at me with a confused expression. He knows about my travel, but that face—he is contemplating something.

"What was that about?" I whisper.

I've never seen him like that before.

Something's wrong.

Keeping his face in mind, I continue my journey. We pass through a small town while driving down the back roads. The guards at the entrance of the town check for identification. They didn't bat an eye seeing me. Not even an acknowledgement.

The driver states he has something to pick up and veers us into the town. Before he leaves I tell him I need to pawn my clothes for some money. He agrees, and we both part ways.

He heads to an inn to pick up something. I proceed to sell my clothes from my luggage for money. On my way back to the wagon, I stop to get some food and comfortable clothing to wear. I see the driver leave the inn with someone, discussing something in hushed tones. They stop talking as soon as they see me.

I question the driver, but he just brushes me off and says we don't have much time before the sun sets. 

"Ah, I'm just a hunter," the other person interjects, grinning.

 "I was hired to hunt," he continues with his fox-like demeanor. 

Oblivious to the events that are about to unfold I board the wagon. I keep my guard up as we continue our travels. 

We arrive at a forest entrance by midday. 

This time around, the forest appears breathtaking. The tall tree branches and their leaves sway in the wind. A gentle breeze rustles through the branches. The sun filters through the foliage, creating a dappled light. The scenery keeps my gaze high up in the trees. The birds chirping, a peaceful melody. A feeling of contentment washes over me.

The wagon stops abruptly a few miles into the forest.

"Why have we stopped?" I ask, warily.

I have a sinking feeling that something is about to happen. My heart is beating fast from nervousness. The driver turns from his seat and gestures.

"She is all yours".

My face drains of color. My lips slightly part in disbelief. This is a set-up. I can feel the dread in the pit of my stomach. My thoughts become clouded by anxiety. I move closer to the exit as I watch both of them exchange orders. I leap off the wagon as quickly as I can and take off sprinting.

I run with tears in my eyes, desperate to survive. Panting for air and my legs cramping. I glance back, he is pursuing me. 

Whilst running, one of my shoes slips off. My bare feet slam into jagged rocks and twigs on the ground. Pain is excruciating, but survival is all I can think of. 

Unable to maintain stamina, my sides cramp. I begin to slow down and limp, leaving a trail of bloody footprints. He surpasses me. Slams me into the ground.

"Phew! I caught you! You're quite the runner," he huffs.

I crawl in desperation, dragging myself with ragged breaths. He approaches and steps on my hand. In agony, I scream. He strikes my spine, I falter to the ground.

"Please, let me go! I beg of you! please!" I cry out.

He laughs while increasing pressure on my hand. 

Now I realize he let me run, intentionally. He enjoys the hunt, the chase. I was nothing more than prey. 

Trembling, sobbing, pleading with him to let me go.

From his pocket he pulls a dark gel-like substance, toxin, to encase his dagger. 

"Please, don't do this. I don't want to die! Please!" I beg, as I hold onto his feet. 

"Orders are orders. Don't worry it will be over quickly," he smiles, waving the dagger around.

My pleadings are in vain. I was lying on the ground, death hanging above me. I try to crawl away even though I know I won't make it far. 

"To live and die again. Why God?" I plead with the divine under my breath.

Why must I die again! Why?!

"I promise it'll be quick", he chuckles as he steps on my ankle. 

I scream in pain, imploring, but he refuses my petition. I lay in dirt like a worm helpless on a sunny day trying to survive. 

"Will allow me to ask you one thing before I die?"I ask innocently.

"Will you bury me where my mother lies," in a melancholy tone, I beseech. 

"Now you are asking too much of me," he sounds annoyed.

I try to persuade him. I tell him he can obtain all that belongs to me. He eventually gives in, but I am sure that is to just shut me up. 

Regardless, I tell him about my mother's grave, located by a pond near a derelict house.

 He drives the dagger into my chest. The toxin takes over and I lay motionless while the light fades from my eyes.

 I feel the wind blow.

I hear him away while joyfully humming. Tears roll down my cheek, I cough blood. 

Howling wolves close their distance towards me. 

Never a dull moment, the growls grow closer and I laugh hysterically. 

I'm cold, I let out my final breath.

Gasp. I'm awake.

 I'm not anywhere I recognize. 

I'm in a field of daisies. 

It appears nostalgic. The refreshing breeze along with the warm sun. My dress isn't frayed like it usually seems. In the distance, I can see someone standing next to a small house. I walk towards it. That person is now running towards me. As they approach, I realize it's my mother.

I'm delighted to see her again.

I take off running to her.

"Mom! Mom! I'm here, mom!" I burst into tears.

I'm thrilled I can see her again, but something seems amiss as I draw closer. I slow down to a halt. The closer she approaches, more eerie things seem to appear. It feels strange. 

"Mother?" I express in confusion, squinting at the person running towards me. 

That is not my mother approaching me.

No!

 It's a maggot-infested body. 

The scenery abruptly changes. The sky is crimson, and the grass is scorched.

It's a nightmare.

 I try moving my feet, but they refuse. I look down to see myself falling into quicksand.

 The sky wails, not with thunder, but like mourning. Something gut-wrenching. Despair. The quicksand is pulling me further down as I struggle.

 I smell rot.

 I glance upward, the corpse suddenly standing before me. It leans forward staring into my eyes. 

We are face to face.

I see parasites crawling around within the skull. In fear, I avert my eyes, unable to move my body. It starts to loudly shriek. My ears are radiating in pain. I begin to bleed from my eyes, ears, and mouth. It reaches out with its bony fingers and pierces the side of my left shoulder. The pain is unbearable. I open my mouth to scream but no sound comes out.