Chapter 20: Chapter 19
The music and laughter at the village celebration gradually faded into the distance as Aurora, Adrian, and Mary made their way back home under the softly shimmering red moonlight. Walking through the path they had come in, Adrian and aurora held lanterns to guide path while mary followed quietly from behind.
Suddenly realization hit Adrian causing him to stop and let out a groan which let to mary and Aurora to turning their attention towards him. "What is it?" mary asked.
"I would be right back, I forgot something back at festival. You guys wait here." He said handing mary his lantern before he turned and ran off in the direction they had come, soon disappearing into the darkness.
Mary and Aurora exchanged puzzled glances. Aurora's curiosity got the best of her, and she couldn't help but ask, "What do you think he forgot?"
Mary shrugged, her eyes following the path where Adrian had disappeared. "I have no idea. Knowing him, it could be anything from a forgotten cloak to a the sudden realization that he left the door unlocked."
Aurora chuckled. "How is your head?" she asked noticing her friend gently massage her head.
Mary winced and sighed as she gingerly massaged her temples. "My head is pounding like a drum, to be honest. I should have listened to Adrian about not drinking too much. But how about you, you emptied two glasses and still seemed fine."
Aurora smiled, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Well, I'm not entirely unscathed either. I do feel a bit lightheaded and slightly dizzy, but it's a strange kind of euphoria, as if I'm floating on air. The singing, the dancing, and the music all made it an unforgettable experience."
Mary nodded, a wistful smile on her face. "It Indeed was." she remarked.
The two friends continued to wait in the moonlit night, the soft breeze rustling the leaves around them. Mary's concern grew as minutes turned into what felt like hours without any sign of Adrian's return. The crimson moon hung low in the night sky, casting an eerie glow over the forest path. She glanced at Aurora, who had started fidgeting nervously.
"I'm getting worried about Adrian," Aurora admitted, her voice tinged with anxiety.
Mary nodded in agreement. "I know what you mean. He's never taken this long for anything. I hope he's okay." she thought for a moment. "I'm going to go and search for him. He might need help or have gotten lost in the darkness. You wait here so it's easy to retrace our steps."
Aurora was hesitant for a moment, she didn't want to be left alone in the darkness. But she knew Mary was right, and they couldn't just sit there doing nothing. She nodded, "okay I will stay here in case he comes back. Be careful mary." she said and Mary gave her a reassuring smile before disappearing down the path.
Aurora stood there alone, listening to the rustling of the leaves. The breeze was still gentle, but it felt cold and ominous now. She shivered, wrapping her arms around herself. The silence was broken only by the distant hooting of an owl. Aurora's heart was pounding in her chest.
More minutes had passed and she was feeling more anxious that was until she heard a snapping sound of a stick. Aurora's heart raced as she heard footsteps approaching from behind. "It was about_"She turned around with a sense of relief, ready to greet Adrian or mary. But her words caught in her throat when she saw the figure that emerged from the shadows – a man who definitely did not belong to their group.
The stranger stepped into the dim circle of light cast by Aurora's lantern. His face was obscured by the darkness, and he wore clothes that were unfamiliar to her, exuding an air of mystery. He had a sly smile on his lips, and his eyes gleamed with an unsettling intensity.
Aurora took a step back, her heart pounding in her chest, a wave of fear washing over her. Her voice trembled as she managed to stammer, "Who are you? What do you want?"
The man's smile widened, and he took a step closer, his presence feeling invasive and unsettling. He didn't answer her questions; instead, he looked her up and down, his gaze lingering on the lantern she held. It was clear that he was not a part of the village celebration, and his sudden appearance in the darkness raised many questions.
Aurora stop another step back, her fingers trembling against the cool metal. She tried to push down her fear and sound as authoritative as possible. "I am not scared if you. So stay back." she demanded.
The man seemed unfazed by her questions, his smile still plastered on his face. "I'm just a traveler passing through," he said, taking another step towards her. "I didn't mean to scare you. I was just admiring the moon, it's so lovely this evening."
Aurora narrowed her eyes, not believing his story for a moment. He didn't look like a traveler as his clothes were not those of a traveler. They were covered in dirt and grime, and they hung off him like a second skin. His boots were scuffed and worn, and his hair was greasy and unkempt. If he was a traveler, he hadn't been doing a very good job of it.
"I don't believe you," she said, her voice steady despite the fear that was coursing through her. "Tell me the truth."
The man tilted his head, still smiling. "Why don't you trust me?"
Aurora's fear deepened as the man's words took a sinister turn. She clutched her lantern tightly, her voice more determined now. "I don't know you, and this is not a time for trust. I'm waiting for my friend to return."
The man let out a dark chuckle, sending shivers down her spine. "Waiting for your friend, are you? Well, you see, sometimes people take longer to return than expected. It would be a shame if something were to happen to you while you wait."
Just then, two more men emerged from the shadows behind him. Their faces were hidden in the darkness, but their intentions were clear as they closed in on Aurora. The situation had taken a dangerous turn, and Aurora knew she needed to act quickly.
Her heart racing, she took a step back, her eyes darting between the three men. She had a decision to make – to use her lantern as a makeshift weapon, to scream for help, or to attempt to flee into the darkness. She knew she couldn't fight them off, they were huge with strong bodies that towered over her. She was sure she wouldn't be able to outrun them either, especially not in the pitch black forest. But perhaps she could try to outsmart them.
She took a deep breath and tried to keep her voice steady. "I know you're up to something, and I won't just stand here and let you hurt me. If you let me go now, I won't tell anyone about this."
The men laughed, their laughter echoing through the trees. "You're in no position to make demands, little girl." the first man said.
Aurora felt a chill run through her at the man's words. She knew she had to do something – anything – to get herself out of this situation. Her mind suddenly went blank when she felt a strong grip around arm yanking her to the ground. She landed hard on the dirt. Her heart was pounding as she struggled to her feet, but the men were upon her in an instant, grabbing her arms and holding her in place.
"What are you doing?" she cried out, panic rising in her voice. "Let go of me!"
"We're not going to let you go until we've have our fun," the first man said, his voice cold and menacing.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone