The camp was unusually quiet, save for Leo's labored breathing and Freya's irritated muttering.
"Punching her? Seriously?" Freya huffed, glaring at Leo as she tied her blonde hair back into a messy ponytail. "You couldn't have tried, I don't know, not antagonizing the psychotic ex-girlfriend who can shoot dark energy?"
Leo leaned against a tree, still catching his breath. "It was either that or let her cart me off to a lifetime of deranged cuddling. I chose the lesser of two evils."
[Definition of 'lesser' here is debatable.]
"Can you not?" Leo groaned.
[No promises. I'm the narrator of your disaster-filled existence now.]
Freya grabbed her axe. "What's the plan? Because if she finds us again, I'm not sure we're walking away unscathed."
Leo gave her a sideways glance. "You're a hunter trainee. Aren't you supposed to have, like, a million plans for situations like this?"
"We didn't exactly cover 'possessive demon exes' in training."
Leo sighed. "Alright, let's break it down. We need distance, a hiding spot, and—"
A sudden rustling sound cut him off. Both of them froze.
"She found us already, didn't she?" Leo whispered.
Freya didn't answer. Her grip on her axe tightened as she scanned the treeline.
The foliage to their left exploded as Selene burst into the clearing, her crimson eyes locked on Leo.
[And here we go. Welcome to Chapter 6: The Yandere Pursuit!]
---
Selene stood at the edge of the clearing, her white hair flowing around her like a ghostly halo. Her smile was eerily calm—which, in Leo's experience, was a very bad sign.
"Leo," she cooed, taking a slow step forward. "You're making this so much harder than it needs to be."
"Yeah, I get that a lot," Leo said. "Now if you'd just—you know—leave, that would be great."
Freya shifted to block Selene's path. "Take one more step, and I'll make sure you regret it."
Selene's gaze flicked to Freya. "You again? You're becoming quite the nuisance."
[Ooooh. Freya vs. Selene, round two! Popcorn, anyone?]
"Not the time!" Leo hissed.
Selene raised her hand, and dark energy crackled to life around her fingers. "Move, or I'll move you."
Freya didn't budge. "Try me."
"Okay, new plan," Leo muttered. "RUN!"
He grabbed Freya's arm and bolted before either woman could argue.
---
They crashed through the forest, dodging low-hanging branches and jumping over tangled roots. Behind them, Selene's melodic humming drifted through the trees like a haunting lullaby.
[She's enjoying this way too much.]
"What's her deal?" Freya panted.
"Obsession, immortality, and unresolved relationship trauma. Take your pick," Leo replied.
They skidded to a stop at the edge of a ravine. A narrow rope bridge stretched across, swaying precariously in the wind.
"Nope. Nope. Nope," Leo said, backing away.
"It's either the bridge or her," Freya said, pointing to where Selene was rapidly closing the distance.
"Fine. But if I die, I'm haunting you."
They dashed onto the bridge. The planks creaked under their weight, and the entire structure swayed dangerously.
Halfway across, Selene appeared at the edge of the ravine.
"Leo!" she called, her voice sweet but laced with menace. "Come back, and I promise I'll forgive you."
"Define 'forgive,'" Leo yelled back.
Selene stepped onto the bridge, and it began to groan under the added weight.
"Hurry!" Freya urged.
They reached the other side just as the first plank behind them snapped. Leo turned in time to see Selene leap—graceful, powerful, and utterly terrifying.
"She's going to make it!" Leo shouted.
Freya raised her axe and swung with all her strength. The blade severed the bridge's rope, and the entire structure collapsed.
Selene's eyes widened as she fell into the ravine, disappearing into the mist below.
[10/10 dramatic escape. Bravo.]
Leo collapsed onto the ground. "Please tell me that actually worked."
Freya sat beside him, equally exhausted. "For now."
[Spoiler: She's not dead. Just saying.]
"You're the worst narrator ever," Leo grumbled.
---
Back at camp, Ulrich was waiting for them, arms crossed and looking none too pleased.
"Where have you two been?" he demanded.
"Running for our lives," Leo said.
"From what?"
"Crazy ex with supernatural powers," Freya answered.
Ulrich sighed. "I don't even want to know."
Leo exchanged a look with Freya. "You'd better not."
As they settled in for the night, Leo couldn't shake the feeling that Selene would be back. And next time, she wouldn't be alone.
[Cue ominous music. Dun dun dunnnn!]
"I really hate my life," Leo muttered.
[And yet, here we are.]