Chapter 10
1011 Words
They moved with quiet confidence, their eyes sharp as they took in the group of students. Earth-toned clothes, intricate woven necklaces, and bodies adorned with markings—some painted, some scarred into their skin.
Their leader—a woman with braids threaded with silver and deep, knowing eyes—stepped forward first, raising a hand.
The air felt tight.
Then she spoke, her voice strong and melodic.
The words were ancient, not English, not anything recognizable.
Selene’s skin prickled.
She had never heard anything like it before.
Then, beside her—
“Oh my God,” Emily whispered.
Selene turned, but Emily wasn’t looking at her. She was staring at the woman, her eyes wide.
“You understand them?” Selene asked.
Emily swallowed hard. “It’s… It’s Old Aztarian.”
Liam blinked. “The hell is that?”
Emily glanced at him, still shocked. “A dead language. One that only a handful of people know.”
Ms. Danielle perked up, interested. “And you’re one of them?”
Emily nodded slowly.
The leader spoke again, this time looking straight at Emily.
Emily hesitated—then stepped forward, answering in the same ancient tongue.
The reaction was instant.
The tribe members stiffened. Eyes widened.
The rest hesitated as they looked towards their leader.
The leader stared sternly at Emily, speaking only after what felt like eternity.
"Hooja goy deaste?" Her voice resonated through their ears and strangely enough, had a calming effect.
Emily, once again, replied. Only this time, more confidently.
The leader looked at the rest of the students, quietly assessing, before nodding to the tribe members.
"Ouch!" One of the tribesmen had cut the net holding Mark, letting him fall to the ground.
"Shoogh tu samante ve" He said as he glanced at the whimpering Mark.
Emily giggled before leaning in to whisper into Selene's ear " He called him a wimpy pup"
Selene smirked "Sounds about right"
The tribesmen cleared a path as the leader waved her hands towards them.
Emily turned to the rest of the group. "I told her we are students who want to learn more about this area and she offered to host us"
Everyone turned towards Ms. Danielle.
"Well I suppose it's the best course of action now" She sighed.
"C'mon now. Let's follow them"
----
Whatever Emily had said, it had earned them something close to respect.
The group was led deeper into the trees, where a fire pit was already burning, surrounded by carefully arranged stones.
Mark, who had been cut down from the trap, was still pale, but unharmed.
The tribe members—now more relaxed—gathered around, their leader gesturing for the students to sit.
Ms. Danielle, ever the adventurer, settled onto a log, her eyes bright with curiosity.
Selene, Emily, Liam, and Leo sat close together.
Then, with a voice full of weight and history, the leader began to speak.
And Emily translated.
“There is a spirit in these woods,” Emily began, her voice quieter now. “She is called Ledaar Emistea—the Shadow of Mist.”
The leader’s voice continued, rich and steady.
Emily listened, then continued.
“She appears to travelers, always alone, always lost. She takes the shape of someone they love. Someone they desire.”
Selene shivered.
“If they follow her, they are never seen again.”
"That sounds downright creepy, don't ya think?" Liam whispered as he leaned on Selene.
His hot breath blew into her ears making her quiver like a falling leaf.
"Well I hope she comes looking for you"
"She'd have to look like you or ain't no way in hell am I following her"
Selene turned, pretending not to understand what he meant. She focused back on what Emily was saying.
Another elder spoke now, an older man with a scar running down his cheek.
Emily leaned in, listening carefully before relaying his words.
“There is an omen in these woods. A creature that is not beast, not spirit.”
Emily swallowed. “They call it Shivor Kaliste. The Red Watcher.”
Liam raised an eyebrow. “What’s it supposed to watch?”
Emily hesitated. “It appears before tragedy. Always watching. Never interfering.”
Selene’s fingers tightened in her lap.
"These stories are getting spookier by the minute" Liam shivered. "Protect me Selene and I will vow my bo-"
"I assure you that if you were to finish that sentence, we just might forget to bring you back to the resort" Ms. Danielle smiled at Liam
Liam felt the goosebumps creep up his arms."Yes ma'am"
Selene smirked as she turned away.
----
As the stories faded into crackling flames and murmured conversation, Ms. Danielle leaned slightly toward Selene.
“You seem… invested.”
Selene kept her expression neutral. “They’re good stories.”
Ms. Danielle hummed.
Something about her tone made Selene’s skin prickle.
Ms. Danielle was always friendly, but there was something else—something more in the way she looked at her.
Like Selene was the story she was trying to unravel.
Liam, sitting beside her, must’ve caught on, because he leaned in, voice low and teasing.
“Careful, Veyne. I think the teacher likes you.”
Selene kicked him under the log.
Liam bit back a laugh.
Ms. Danielle, still watching, simply smiled.
----
The walk back to the resort felt longer.
Not because of the distance—but because of everything they had just heard.
The class had started out chatty, energized after the encounter with the Holloway tribe, but as they got closer to the resort, the stories lingered. They settled into the air, pressing against them, quieting even the most talkative students.
Selene, for once, didn’t mind the silence.
Emily walked beside her, arms crossed, her usual brightness dimmed.
As they reached the edge of the forest, an audible sigh of relief came from the back.
Selene glanced back, searching to see if she would catch a glimpse of it, but she saw nothing.
She had a feeling, however, that she'd definitely see it again.
- Writer
