One:Two

The green ferns seemed to go on forever. With no idea where I was going I began to lose hope. My skin was hot and irritated by scratches from branches and thorns. The hunger in my stomach and soul were painful, and thirst consumed me. The world was now no more than heat, the sounds of the forest, and my own labored breath. My vision became blurred and I fell heavily to the ground, weeping into the warm moss.

For how long I lay there I do not know, but soon I heard the faint sound of water. I dragged my weary body up to a tall tree and propped myself against it, trying to discover the source of the sound.

Now it came to me more clearly, and I raised myself up and stumbled, half-blind, through the stalks and leaves in the hope of finding water. Each plant seemed to reach for me, tearing into my flesh. I grunted and moaned while the oppressive heat seared my thoughts. The sound of the water became my sole focus. If I could only reach it I would be saved. I burst suddenly into a clearing and before I could stop myself I pitched forward into a pool of clear, cool water.

I was coughing and spluttering, the shock of cold taking my breath away. As I fought to keep from drowning I saw an old woman sitting on the far bank within the roots of an ancient willow. Her dress was plain and she had a small sack by her side. She eyed me closely but said nothing as I thrashed about. When I had finally had my fill to drink and the cold had become bearable I waded back to my side of the pool and sat upon the pebbled shore. The old woman picked up the sack and tossed it at my feet.

"You're late," she said.