[ IP ] Horned Creature

I feel... different today. 
 
 It started when I woke up. Someone had buried me in black sand while I was sleeping, I think. It took a while to dig myself out and I did n't care much for the embers that kept spraying into my eyes. 
 
 When I finally got out it was dark. Night, I thought. The moon was full and red in the sky, larger than it should have been. 
 
 Everything seemed a little... different. 
 
 I was in a forest, I think, because I saw trees. Great black trees with sinews that stretched up to the sky, connecting like nerves across vast distances. There was movement closer to me and I saw a deer. 
 
 I think it was a deer. It looked at me with burning coal eyes. Its hide was black metal sinews flowing very viscously, like lava. Someone had cut its antlers off at the top to produce uneven shaved flatness that bubbled with embers. 
 
 It ran when it saw me, so I gave chase. I had to know. Something told me that if I looked closely enough at the deer, I would understand what was different. 
 
 It seemed easier than it should have been to chase after the deer. I was fast and agile, leaping over obstacles in my way. 
 
 It led me to the city. What was left of it anyway. 
 
 I think the city had a name once. I ca n't remember. I think I used to live there, although I do n't understand why I would- it's all broken and covered in fire and black sand. 
 
 I seem to remember that the city was not always like this. I do n't know. I think something must have happened. I... vaguely remember something dark falling from the sky before... 
 
 Before... well. I'm not quite sure myself. I just... have a feeling that something is not quite right whenever I stare at my own hand, sharp and clawed and covered in burning black sand. 
 
 I think I'd like to leave the city. I have to find somewhere that is n't so unnerving to be. Somewhere where things are n't so different and unfamiliar. I'm sure I'll find it somewhere, if I look hard enough. 
 
 I managed to persuade the deer to come with me. It kept running from me but it got tired eventually and I fed it some of my own embers. It's nice to have someone travelling with me as I look for somewhere familiar. 
 
 I just have to look. I'll find it one day. Somewhere that's where I belong.
