[Xanthea]
An icy sensation crawled up my leg.
The din of my breaths and my heartbeats faltered in my ears as the sound of rustling grass, as if a serpent hastily slithered through them. I stood barefoot on the dewy grass, aware of every stir in the surrounding underbrush.
Cold fog condensed on my skin like sweats damping my white gown.
Breathing slowly but heavily through my mouth, I kept staring at the grass apprehensively.
Subtle slithering sounds grew louder. Movement in the grass and bushes became evident. It was then I realized something was rumbling under the ground.
Unease knotted in my stomach and even before I could think about running, sinewy vines erupted from the earth all around me. I froze in my place as they whipped right before my eyes like the gigantic tentacles of a
