Elevator: Chance Encounter

Nightmare in the Winter Woods

It was the ungodly hour of two in the morning, and the elusive embrace of sleep remained distant. Blame it on the remnants of my chaotic school schedule or the restless thoughts that seemed to dance in my mind. Frustration hung heavy in the air, pushing me to toss and turn in my bed, a futile attempt to escape the clutches of insomnia.

With an exasperated huff, I surrendered to the wakeful night and rose from my bed. The room, shrouded in darkness, offered no solace, and my mind echoed with the silence of the sleeping world outside. Pondering my predicament, I raked my hands through my hair and began pacing the room, seeking refuge in the rhythmic pattern of footsteps on the floor.

As I traversed the room, a spark of inspiration flickered in the shadows of my thoughts. An idea, elusive yet promising, beckoned me to explore its potential. The room, once stifling in its stillness, became a canvas for the strokes of my imagination. What could I do to break free from the monotony of the sleepless night? The answer lingered just beyond my grasp, a puzzle waiting to be solved in the quiet solitude of the early morning.

A winter adventure! The perfect remedy for my restless night, I mused. The idea struck me like a bolt of inspiration—exhaust myself with a spontaneous escapade, and then I could return home for a restful sleep. The brilliance of the plan unfolded in my mind. While such adventures were once shared with childhood friends, this time, I embraced the solitude, confident that the thrill of exploration would be just as invigorating alone.

With determination pulsing through my veins, I meticulously filled a backpack with essentials, embracing the philosophy of "better safe than sorry." Layers of warm clothing shielded me from the winter's bite. A note on my bed aimed to reassure my mom, a precautionary measure in case my escapade was uncovered. Sneaking out through the window, I descended onto a conveniently placed tree branch with a silent chuckle, marvelling at the perfection of my escape plan. Everything unfolded according to my plan.

I landed on the ground with a soft thud, the crunch of snow beneath my feet. Unfortunately, my footprints marked the ground, a temporary trail that the impending snowfall would soon erase. As I navigated through the city, I was surprised to find that many lights still illuminated the buildings. The cityscape took on a new allure in the quiet of the night, especially with the towering skyscrapers promising a spectacular view from their heights. Passing through the urban landscape, I marvelled at the few people still out and about, realizing that the snow had a way of transforming the usual city scene.

As I ventured deeper, the cityscape gradually faded away, making room for a serene forest blanketed in pristine snow. Towering trees adorned in the white cloak of winter created a breath-taking panorama. Unable to contain my excitement, I dashed into the woods carelessly, the thrill of the unknown propelling me forward. As darkness enveloped the surroundings, I retrieved one of the two torches I had packed. The beam of light pierced the inky blackness, casting eerie shadows and transforming the snow-laden trees into haunting silhouettes. The ground beneath me crackled with the satisfying sound of frozen branches, and the woody scent of the forest added to the enchantment. In that moment, alone in the wintry woods, I couldn't help but emit a contented hum of approval.

Delving deeper into the heart of the forest, I found a fallen tree that seemed suitable for a makeshift seat—perhaps not the most comfortable, but it would serve its purpose. Seated there for a good half hour, I savoured a chocolate bar, the experience heightened by the natural surroundings. Finishing my snack, I crinkled the wrapper and stashed it in my bag, adhering to my no-littering policy.

Upon standing, I resolved to continue my walk a bit further before retracing my steps. However, an oddity caught my attention. As I walked straight ahead, I encountered a series of fallen trees, arranged in a perfectly straight line that seemed too deliberate to be the result of natural causes. Shining my torch to illuminate the area, I discovered that the trail keeps going, that piqued my curiosity. Unable to resist the lure of a mystery, I pressed forward, determined to uncover the secrets hidden within the wintry woods.

As I stood there, flashlight illuminating the mysterious symbols, a sense of bewilderment washed over me. The symbols seemed to dance in the pale light, teasing me with their enigmatic nature. Frustration crept in, and I sighed, feeling a bit defeated.

In that moment, a sudden force yanked me off my feet, and terror gripped me as I found myself dangling in mid-air. My legs were securely bound to a tree, and panic surged as I tried to make sense of the situation. Pain shot through my leg, and dizziness clouded my thoughts. It was a shocking turn of events, and amidst the chaos, I couldn't help but wonder how my innocent winter adventure had spiralled into this bizarre and unexpected predicament.

My eyes darted around, desperately trying to make sense of the situation. Shadows danced among the trees, a pair of them leaping from one trunk to another. Fear gripped me, and I began to struggle against the tight bindings, frantically attempting to break free. However, my feeble attempts proved futile.

As the shadows drew closer, my torch lay abandoned on the ground, casting an eerie glow into the unknown. The suspense heightened, and the sounds around me became more distinct. Suddenly, I realized that the mysterious figures were clad in ninja attire—two of them to be precise. A sigh of relief escaped me, and my attention was drawn to a pair of piercing green eyes that locked onto mine.

"False alarm," the green ninja sighed, shaking his head in disappointment. He turned to me, slapping his forehead, and disbelief crossed his face. "You can't be serious right now, y/n?" Meanwhile, the red ninja beside him burst into laughter, his amusement echoing through the snowy forest. "HAHAHHA," he guffawed, pointing at me. "Oh, this is too good, man."

I grumbled in frustration, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. "Could you guys take any longer..." I gestured towards my leg, still tied up against the tree. The green ninja elbowed the red one, urging him to stop laughing, and gradually, the laughter subsided. With a quick motion, the green ninja safely lowered me to the ground, releasing the ropes that bound my ankle. I gingerly rubbed my poor, swollen limb. "My poor baby," I muttered, massaging the soreness away.

The green ninja's patience was wearing thin as he scolded me, his tone stern and serious. "Do you understand the danger you could've been in?" His eyes furrowed with concern. "Did you not learn last time not to go out at night, no less in a forest?" He pinched the bridge of his clothed nose, sighing in exasperation. The red ninja, finding the whole situation amusing, commented, "This chick is going to be a danger magnet."

The green ninja, unamused, huffed at the remark. I quickly raised my hands in defence, offering a feeble explanation, "Well, in my defence, I couldn't sleep?" The words came out more like a question, and the red ninja erupted into laughter, while the green ninja merely stared at me, unswayed by my attempts at humour.