บท 7: It lurks
As they sat around the flickering fire, a sense of unease settled in. The shadows of the trees loomed closer, and Idris felt the weight of their surroundings pressing down on him. "We should be more cautious," he suggested, his voice low but firm. "Even with the fire, we can't let our guard down."
Garren nodded, leaning closer to the flames. "Agreed. Let's take shifts keeping watch. I'll take the first watch."
Erena stretched and yawned, her eyes heavy with fatigue. "I'll take the last shift then. Idris, you can sleep now. We need to be alert."
Idris, feeling a mix of gratitude and concern, replied, "Sounds good. But let's keep the fire stoked. I don't want to attract anything unwanted."
Garren raised an eyebrow but nodded, setting a few more logs onto the fire. Idris settled onto the ground, using his pack as a pillow, but sleep eluded him. He could hear the crackling fire and Erena's soft breathing beside him, but his mind was restless.
As the night deepened, he glanced at Garren, who kept his eyes scanning the perimeter. Idris was aware of Garren's diligence; he admired his friend's ability to stay focused. The stars twinkled overhead, and Idris couldn't help but wonder about his mother and the temple they sought. What truths lay hidden there?
Lost in thought, he didn't notice Garren glancing at him, curiosity etched on his face. After a moment, Garren picked up a small pebble and tossed it lightly at Idris, breaking his contemplation.
"What are you thinking about?" Garren asked softly, a teasing lilt in his tone.
Idris hesitated, the weight of his memories pressing down on him. "You know, my mother used to work in the royal palace… at least that's what she said."
Garren shrugged, unfazed. "So?"
After a moment of contemplation, Idris replied, "Nothing."
Garren, not taking it seriously, scoffed. "Nothing? Come on." He picked up a larger pebble and tossed it playfully at Idris, who couldn't help but chuckle at his friend's antics. It lightened the mood, and for a moment, the tension of the night faded.
They continued their watch in companionable silence, and soon, it was Erena's turn to keep watch. As the dawn approached, Idris finally succumbed to sleep, the warmth of the fire lulling him into a deep rest.
The sun began to rise, casting a soft glow across the clearing. Idris and Garren stirred awake, the crackling of the fire mingling with the sounds of morning. As Idris rubbed the sleep from his eyes, he noticed Erena still lying down, her face serene in the early light.
"Erena, wake up!" Garren called, flicking his sister's forehead playfully.
She stirred, frowning as she opened her eyes. "What?" she groaned, clearly annoyed at being awakened.
"Didn't you have the last watch? You were supposed to keep an eye out!" Garren teased, a smirk on his face.
Erena shot him a glare. "I was watching! Kind of… It's hard to stay alert when you're waking me up like that!"
Idris chuckled, enjoying the sibling banter. But as their laughter faded, his gaze drifted to the treeline. A shadow flickered in the distance, a sudden chill racing through him.
"Guys," he said, pointing urgently. "Over there."
Erena's eyes widened, disbelief turning to fear as she caught sight of the soldier lurking just beyond the treeline. "Oh, shit!" she gasped, her heart racing. The color drained from her face, and instinct kicked in as adrenaline surged through her veins.
Garren's expression morphed into one of panic, his features contorting in concern. "Run!" he shouted, the word escaping him in a burst of energy. He took off without a second thought, darting to the right, his footsteps pounding against the forest floor.
Idris followed close behind, his heart pounding in rhythm with the urgency of the moment. "We need to split up!" he called out, his voice steady despite the chaos. "If we all run together, they'll catch us. Trust me!"
Erena nodded, fear flashing in her eyes. "I don't like this, Idris!" But even as she protested, she pushed forward, her instincts overriding her hesitation. "Where should I go?"
"Left!" Idris shouted, glancing back briefly. "We'll regroup at the clearing by the stream!" He felt a pang of regret leaving her, but the risk of being caught was too great.
"Don't get caught!" Garren yelled over his shoulder, his voice laced with urgency as he veered off to the right. His determination was palpable, but Idris could see the worry etched across his face.
"I won't!" Erena replied, her voice resolute despite the fear that gripped her. She sprinted toward the left, her feet moving instinctively. The underbrush whipped past her, branches scratching at her arms, but she didn't care. All that mattered was putting distance between herself and the soldier.
The trio sprang to their feet, their instincts kicking in. They all took off in different directions as Idris had suggested, hoping to confuse whatever was lurking in the shadows.
Idris sprinted through the underbrush, heart pounding in his chest. He didn't look back, trusting his friends to escape. The forest felt alive around him, branches snapping underfoot, leaves rustling as he dashed away from the danger.
He could hear Garren shouting to Erena in the distance, and his mind raced with thoughts of what could be pursuing them. Was it soldiers? Or Predators? The possibilities were overwhelming, but the one thing he knew was they had to stay together if they wanted to survive.
As he zigzagged through the trees, Idris caught a glimpse of sunlight filtering through the branches, illuminating his path. He slowed his pace, ears straining for any sound behind him. The forest was eerily quiet, and he could feel the tension in the air.
After a moment, he paused to catch his breath, leaning against a tree. His heart raced, and he focused on the sounds around him, hoping to hear Garren or Erena's voice.
Just then, he heard a rustle nearby, and instinctively, he turned, preparing to face whatever might come next.
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