Lochán na sióga | D'Arcy x August Day 1

D'Arcy thought she had been following Georgie's instructions to the ruined village well enough, but after a few hours or so it was clear that she had only succeeded in getting herself lost in the complex maze of dimly-lit roots and trunks. She pushed down her panic and worked past the soreness starting to creep into her fatigued legs. To stop and curl up and cry out her frustration would be too simple, too expected of her for her to even dream of doing it here. Not when seeming tough and brave was what mattered more than anything. Well, besides staying alive that is.

Finally she began to notice a brightness from above once more, and her hope returned to her. She must be close, then, to an exit to this labyrinthian forest and back out to the village Georgie had mentioned. D'Arcy noticed bits of sky starting to peak through; the orange streaks in the clouds indicating the sun starting its descent. It surprised D'Arcy; she hadn't realized just how much time she had spent with Georgie or running through the trees. She would soon need to find somewhere to rest, somewhere safe for a night to try and drift off to a world of dreams.

A clearing ahead indicated a welcome break from the dense brush. D'Arcy's heart leapt in her chest - she had made it! As she ran out into the open though, the mirrored surface of the clearing sent her slowing to a halt at the treeline. This was no field of rubble, but instead she was faced with a network of shimmering ponds, connected by soft-looking mosses. More trees seemed to spring out from these wells of life. D'Arcy couldn't help but think the word fairy as her imagination took awe at the beauty of the place.

She waded tentatively into one of the pools, finding the water shallow and pleasant. Her hope filled her back up; she had found a water source, if nothing else. She would not die of thirst, at least not yet. She wanted to keep moving, try and find somewhere to sleep before the night could settle in and a chill overcame her. At the same time, the curiosity of the pools was overwhelming, and one near the centre seemed to call out to her…

She heard the rustling steps from behind, and whirled around fast to find herself face to face with the boy from Seven standing out on one of the mossy bridges. D'Arcy froze like a deer faced with a hunter. Was this it? Would she be faced with a battle for her life before the first day had even ended? Her wonder quickly drained from her, replaced with the icy bite of fear. "Wait, please!" She cried out, arms raised up to protect her from the blows she was sure would come next. She wasn't ready to die. Not here. Not now.