One Shot Quick Write: Dream Script
30 minute draft, January 28th
Sydney tried to calm the beating in her chest. Juni had been missing for two days, unusual for her. She's always been the type of cat that would prefer sitting by the heater on a blanket watching the birds outside the window over leaving the house to catch them.
"She couldn't have gone this far without food. She's too lazy to hunt... isn't she? Oh Juni, why'd you take me all the way out here?" Sydney shuddered as a breeze flew though her hair.
"Eep!!" The flashlight was slick with sweat. Sydney's palms had to fight harder to keep hold of the flashlight; dropping it would throw her off the edge into a full-blown panic.
"Come on Sydney, what could harm you out here? Hah, hah...." A burst of fluttering exploded out from the large tree behind her.
"AHHHH!!" Sydney ducked, covering her head with her hands. Chills ran all over her body. Bracing herself, she slowly turned her head to make sure the cause of the sound wasn't a threat.
"Hah, see? Just bats. Don't be silly, Sydney. If that lazy scardey-cat could make it through, you can too." Despite the cold sweat and unforgiving shivering and anxious jolting, Sydney pulled herself off the ground to stand back up again. She took a deep breath, pointed the flashlight forward, and took a few more steps.
The forest terrified Sydney. Too much of the unknown, too many strange sounds, too many hiding places...
"Stop thinking about that, you'll only make it worse." Sydney's mutterings didn't echo in the denseness of the trees. Every sound she made was blanketed in the leaves and bushes, if she needed to cry for help, who would save her?
"Dear God, may I please have mercy on myself? Stop scaring yourself Sydney. Think about it this way, you're like Renna, just exploring the area around the campsite for your party. They're right behind you, waiting for you to come back. You're fine! Maybe there's some lovely berries or pretty creeks around. You know, the kingdom of Aeirenlee is known for the brightest bioluminescents. Maybe I'll discover some out here..." Sydney's expressions were lost to the dark, but she can feel them reflecting her emotions on her face. Why can't you just take these challenges head on? It's just a walk. In the forest. At night. Alone. All for a stupid cat.
Sydney sighed. That stupid cat.
"If only I didn't love her so much. If I was a little less anxious, I'd just wait at home until she returns like a normal person." Her steps began to land more solid, as if there were a stone path underneath the dirt and leaves. She took a deep breath. A road would be a nice sight indeed. "Maybe you'll get a good story about it. Those deadlines won't write for themselves."
Only a few paces further, and Sydney could see part of a smooth black road. The lines were so crisp and the cement so dark and smooth, it looked as if it was just poured and painted a week ago. Relief washed over Sydney. Maybe there will be streetlights or cabins nearby that have seen a black cat saunter by. Maybe Juni really was in need of an adventure.
A pang of guilt washes over Sydney.
Maybe I should interact with her more... Watching your friend tack on a laptop all day wouldn't be very interesting. Maybe I should get her some new toys when we get back.
There was a bend in the road. Sydney felt her hair rise up and her face felt prickly. Dread stirred in her stomach.
"There's nothing there. Don't be stupid. You're not defenseless. You are fine. Come on, Sydney..." Her words shook. Her eyes hid behind her hair, preparing to filter out as much terror lies ahead.
In her last moment of silent preparation, she noticed something she hadn't before.
"...A fire?" A crackling sound could be heard faintly through the trees. Sydney turned off her flashlight. Her body relaxed as she noticed a faint warm glow flicker from around the bend. She fixed her hair, rubbed her face, and shook her arms.
I can't walk up to some random person in the woods at night looking like a freaked out ghost if I want information...
She cleared her throat, turned on her flashlight to the brightest setting, and jogged with loud footsteps to announce her arrival.
Please don't be an axe murderer please don't be an axe murderer...
Sydney stopped in her tracks when she saw the source of the glow. A man sat relaxed at a chestnut desk, feet propped up and book in hand. She was still too far to see his features from where she stood, and the lantern wasn't bright enough to illuminate everything around. The fire was behind him on his right, casting shadows on his face.
How mysterious... a blank face with a desk on the road in the woods? At night? What is this?
Confusion and curiosity had overridden the fear in her. Sydney had to know where the hell she was to encounter something like this. And, she didn't come all the way out here to search for her cat and not truly investigate.
Sydney waved her flashlight around in the man's direction. He didn't seem to notice. Sydney slowly approached him.
Do I look normal right now? She shook away the thought. No normal person is walking in the woods in the middle of the night. And compared to a man reading here with a full desk? This should be the least of my worries right now...
Once she made it to the desk, she cleared her throat. The man didn't notice. She could see his face now, though. He was pale and had well-groomed black hair, short but stylish. His glasses and attire made it look like he runs a library. He wore a focused but relaxed expression on his face, immersed in his book.
"Um... hello?" Sydney tried again to catch his attention. His eyes lazily glanced up at her, only to return to his book. This is really weird. A feeling stirred in Sydney's stomach. Third time's a charm?
"Um... Hi there?" She added a more cheerful tone this time, maybe he'd respond to being more kind and expressive?
To Sydney's discomfort, the man cleared his throat and turned another page. It was then Sydney noticed a small bell on the center of the desk. Press for assistance, it said. Ah, I see now.
Sydney pressed the bell. The man snapped his book shut, swung his legs off the table, and leaned forward on the desk in one clean move.
"Welcome to Mr. Darkwood's Zoo, how many I help you today?"
Sydney's eyes flicked with confusion. "I'm sorry... Zoo?" The man stared at her blankly, clearly bothered by the interruption to his reading. "Um... nevermind. I'm looking for my cat." The man sighed and turned towards the papers on his left, flipping through them.
"Hmmm..." He flew through the pages, his eyes scanning left to right with incredible speed. Sydney had to fight to keep her face neutral through the amazement. Where am I right now? What is this? Why did he say "zoo"?? Who is this man? And how is he reading so fast...
He stopped on a page and took a sip of his coffee. "Black house cat. Spotted last night nearby Feinbridge and this morning wandering down Greenwood Road." He sounded so... bored. He took another sip of coffee. He looked back up at Sydney. "Anything else I can help you with?"
