Chapter 5 - The Voice

I woke up early in the morning to get ready for the trip. My stomach was about to eat me alive so I also set up some traps I've made around 'My' area, hoping for the best. I doubt that Eyeless Jack guy is anywhere near this place, he seems very off putting and dangerous, but yet his blindness gives a sense of pity. To the looks of it he was a killer, but my mind pushes that away because of my empathy in that situation. Why was he standing out in the middle of the street like that? Was he mentally not there at times? Those answers could be a possible yes in my book.

After many hours wasted on trying to catch breakfast, I finally accepted defeat. I have to admit, I'm not the best hunter in the world and I'm not gunna last long by scavenging. How do these animals hide so well? Come to think of it, I haven't saw even a bird out here. Even if there was a bird, how would I catch it? Oh well, I'll survive as long as I can.

I sat up and grabbed the tattered backpack, slinging it around my shoulder. After I stomped off the remaining embers of the fire, I stepped back and said goodbye to my temporary home. Of course I wasn't talking to a tree, that would be weird. Ok, probably not the weirdest thing I did though.

Setting off and going deeper into the woods surely screws up your perspective. Well, the daylight mostly. Im starting to get why I wasn't allowed into this place. I kept walking though, where I last saw that Eyeless Jack. Why didn't he just kill me when he had the chance?

I glanced around and froze. I can feel someone or something watching me. It was a very unsettling feeling. Was it that blue creep again? He better not tackle me...

"Uh... Hello?" I know this sounds stupid, but I was curious. Ok?

A black bird swooped down in front of me and landed on a branch up in the trees. It scared me and I stumbled backwards, staring at it. It's a bird, no, a crow? Where the hell did a crow come from out here?

It stared back, cocking it's head quickly and giving a slight squawk. I blinked and backed away. It wouldn't stop looking at me...

I slowly started walking again, but it flew down and gave a loud hiss. I gasped and jumped back.

"C-Crows can hiss...?" I asked it, but of course it didn't respond like I wanted it to. Instead, it hissed again and flew directly at me.

My first instinct was to hit it, but I failed miserably and it bit me on the hand. I kicked at it, giving me time to run away. I started running left to where I was suppose to go before the crazy thing decided to attack me.

It seemed like I was running for hours, but it finally stopped chasing me. I looked back, to see if it was surely gone and slammed into a tree.

I yelled in frustration and a pain shot up my left arm.

"Nice going, idiot." Someone said, It sounded like a girl.

I jumped up, ignoring the scratch on my arm and stood on guard, "Who's there?!" I yelled,

"You." She said,

"... S-Stop playing around! Show yourself!"

The girl laughed, "I can't, Jean. I'm you."

I paused. They know my name? I glanced around and pulled out my knife. They must be spying on me...

"Put that knife away Jean, you'll only hurt us both."

"N-No... " I forced out, looking around nervously. I can hear the girl everywhere, it's like she is inside my head...

"Is this how you treat your savior?"

"Savior...?"

She chuckled, "I saved you from that eyeless fellow the other day. Can't I get a thanks?"

"... That was you? The shadow thing?"

"Mmhm. Wonder what my name is."

Her name? How am I suppose to know that? "Uh... Jean?"

She huffed in annoyance, "No! Shadow! It's Shadow you dipshit!"

I flenched and rubbed my head, that hurt... I kinda deserved that though, I'm such an idiot...

"... Sorry Jean. I'm just a little angry for being locked up for so long."

"So... Your me..." I said, still rubbing my forehead.

"Yes. Just another part of you. Like a secret personality."

Ok, this is weird. I officially have gone insane and is having a conversation with it, or myself. I'm crazy for sure...

"Why are you here?"

"First off, don't call me 'It', I'm a she and I can read your thoughts. Second, I don't know. Maybe you are just talking to yourself in the middle if the woods." Shadow said, with a little hint of irritation,

I sighed and decided to walk again, knowing I'm pretty much stuck with her now. How did I manage to free her? I don't know...

The more I kept walking, the more I figured out that Shadow was a talker. She wouldn't shut up for at least a minute, but she's more open. Is this really me? Am I that annoying to others? No, I barely talked to anyone, besides Tim. He's gone though. Maybe she is just a different personality locked inside me.

"Shadow... would you please stop talking..." I begged, but she laughed like I made a joke.

"Why? I know you were wanting company and hey, I might be helpful."

"Helpful? Pffft, like what."

"Well," She began, "That crow wasn't normal."

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah, I noticed."

"The next time you see it, pay close attention Jean."

I stopped, "Why?"

No response.

"Shadow? You there?" She's probably just ignoring me. "Very mature Shadow." I huffed and gave up on contacting her. If she wants to talk, I guess it's on her own time.

As soon as I looked back, it was there. Of course. She had to leave me alone with a psychopathic bird. Gripping my knife in one hand, I froze in place. Im not killing it unless the first move is it's fault.

Pay close attention...

What was unnatural about it? Well, the hissing, the stalking, the... red eye? Crows have red eyes don't they?

"No." Shadows voice boomed in my head,

Ugh, she's back now? What's the use of leaving me alone then?!

"Shadow, what the hell?!" I whispered angrily,

"It's a robot dumbass!" She growled, "That eye is a camera, someone is spying on us!"

I blinked and stepped back cautiously. A camera? Video camera? In these woods? All I know is that someone or something is stalking me... And I'm not welcome here at all.