Waking up in the forest again was not a surprise, waking up in the forest at night all alone was the surprise. The sun usually shined through the trees. He still felt the same comfort from this place, but he was a little wary of the correct situation. Sitting up, Jason felt himself looking around the dark forest, searching for light or Daphis or something. He wasn't familiar with this part of the forest.
"Jason." The voice of Daphis came from seemingly every direction.
"Daphis? Where are you?" Jason asked loudly.
He caught a glimpse of a moving figure in the distance. It was Daphis, she beckoned for him to follow her. It started getting darker. Jason almost couldn't see his own hand in front of his face.
"Daphis, I can't see." Jason complained, walking face first into a tree.
A light chuckle preceded the beautiful voice of Daphis, "Focus, Jason."
Jason was so confused. How was he meant to focus on the pitch black? It was so dark now that he couldn't see anything. Where were the stars? Where was the moon? He looked up, scanning the sky for something, but remembered the thickness of the trees and knew he wouldn't find much. Jason narrowed his vision, allowing his senses to take over as though he were on the hunt again. Still, the darkness consumed him, and he couldn't see anything.
"Focus harder, Jason. Clear your mind." Daphis said, further away than before.
Jason rolled his eyes, what was this nonsense. He focused harder and harder, trying to force the thoughts out of his head. Suddenly, everything began to illuminate. He could see a tree ahead, then another, and finally, he felt as if he were wearing high powered night vision, minus the green tint. In fact, color was almost entirely absent. He saw everything in black and white. The harder he focused, the more he saw. Jason wondered what mind game was being played here.
"I can't see you, Daphis." Jason said.
Daphis all of a sudden appeared from behind a tree several meters ahead. Jason started toward her as she continued to lead him further.
"Keep focusing, Jason." She practically sang.
Jason kept his focus and followed her until she stopped in a clearing, similar but different to the one he met with the old man in. Daphis stood there, waiting for him.
"Why are we here? Why was it so dark?" Jason asked.
Daphis laughed, "It's still dark, Jason."
He looked at her, confused.
"You're focusing, and it's enabled you to see in the dark." She explained.
Jason didn't understand at all, he couldn't think of a response.
"You'll understand in time, Jason. You're more powerful than you realize." She sang.
Jason thought for a second, and all question as to whether this was a dream, reality, or just a bad high was erased. He knew this couldn't be real.
"I know what you're thinking." Said a familiar, husky old voice.
Jason turned to see the old man, in a white robe this time. The old man looked filled with disappointment. He shook his head at Jason and slowly raised his hand to grab Jason by the forearm.
"You damage yourself, and for what?" The old man scolded.
Jason took his arm back, refusing to let someone lecture him. "What do you know about me?"
The old man looked at Jason, frowning. "I know you're here for a reason, we need you, but the more you polute your body, the less capable your mind will be, and the less likely you'll be to help us."
"How can I help you? I can't even help myself." Jason argued.
The old man turned his back on Jason. "Keep yourself clean, and come back here ready to focus another day. You've had a small taste of your ability when you channeled your vision, next time, you'll learn more."
Jason could only think about what the man was saying, he was gone too quickly to reply. Jason did think about how he could see so far for the sun being gone, and how it all started when he began to focus, but what the man was suggesting was power. That could be dangerous. Jason watched as Daphis danced away, her beautiful figure blended into the surrounding foliage so well. He kind of wanted to follow her and talk, but he felt something he was all to familiar with, shame. He didn't want to face her after falling prey to addiction yet again.
"Let it go, Jason." Daphis said in the most soothing voice.
It did help already. Maybe all he needed was support from them. Somehow, the words Daphis said we're more powerful than months of therapy and almost a year with his sister.
"Daphis, wait." He finally started after her.
Daphis stayed still, waiting for Jason to catch up. He stopped just in front of her.
"Daphis, why am I here? What can I possibly do for you?" Jason asked, hoping a little clarity would keep his head in check.
Daphis smiled and put a leafy hand on his shoulder, "Jason, if only you knew how important you were."
With those kind words, three interwoven vines extended from her wrist and wrapped around Jason's throat, squeezing until the blood flow was restricted almost completely.
"Daphis." He attempted to say through the squeezing of his throat.
He struggled to breathe and pull the vines off as Daphis sang a slow, gentle tune, as if she were trying to sing him to sleep as she choked him. His vision became less and less, until blackness consumed him yet again. Then, nothing, he felt himself lying in the cottage again, confused and lost.