We ran.
The trees blurred past, their twisted limbs reaching out like bony fingers. The ground was uneven, covered in gnarled roots that seemed way too eager to trip us.
Felix was sobbing. Mira was cursing. Leo was just straight-up screaming.
Julien? He was laughing like we were on a joyride.
I was about to commit murder.
Then the shadow moved.
It didn't chase us—oh no, that would be too normal.
Instead, it shifted.
One moment, it was by the trees. The next, it was ahead of us. Waiting.
Felix screeched. "IT TELEPORTS—"
I grabbed his collar and yanked him sideways. "CHANGE COURSE!"
We veered off the path, crashing through the underbrush like a bunch of drunk deer.
Somewhere behind us, the whispering started.
Faint. Distant.
Then closer.
"Stay."
Nope. Nope. Nope.
I wasn't interested in staying. Not now. Not ever.
After what felt like hours, we stumbled into a small clearing.
I collapsed against a tree, panting.
