Broken Sage

Chapter 2.3

"Let's keep moving," Addison said, her voice barely above a whisper, but enough to carry the weight of her resolve. "We need to get to that cabin. We can figure things out there."

The trio continued through the woods; the air still heavy with the haunting presence of Aonmi. Each step seemed to make the forest darker, like the trees themselves were watching them, waiting. The feeling of being pursued had not abated; if anything, it had grown stronger.

Amanda was the first to spot the cabin. Its dilapidated frame loomed ahead, half-hidden by overgrown vines and creeping moss. The wooden structure looked like it hadn’t been touched in years, the windows dark and empty. It was the perfect place to lay low—at least for now.

“We’re here,” Amanda murmured, stepping cautiously toward the entrance.

Addison’s eyes scanned the surroundings, wary of any movement in the shadows. She couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. But for now, they needed the shelter. They needed time to think.

As they approached the cabin, the door creaked open with a slow, groaning protest. Inside, dust motes danced in the thin beams of light that filtered through the cracks in the walls. The air smelled of old wood and dampness, a sign that the place had been abandoned for some time. But it would have to do.

"Well, it's not much," Laura said, stepping inside first. "But it's better than wandering out there."

Addison followed her inside, Amanda bringing up the rear, keeping a watchful eye on the outside. Addison set down her pack near a corner and leaned against the wall, her thoughts racing.

“Do you think he’ll come after us again?” Laura asked, her voice soft but filled with concern.

“I’m sure of it,” Addison replied, her gaze distant. “He won’t stop until he gets what he wants. But what does he want from me?”

Amanda finally spoke, her voice sharp as she looked out the cracked window. "It’s not just you, Addison. He’s interested in us—in all of us. But especially you."

Addison’s heart skipped a beat. The way Aonmi had looked at her earlier, the way he had spoken as if he knew something she didn’t... it was unsettling. “I don’t know why,” Addison admitted, rubbing her temples in frustration. “But he’s not just a random stranger. He’s something... else.”

The silence that followed was heavy. No one could deny the sense of foreboding that had settled between them, as if something dark and powerful was waiting just outside their reach.

Amanda turned to Addison; her expression unreadable. “We can’t trust him. But we can’t just ignore him either. We need to figure out what he really wants.”

Addison nodded in agreement. But part of her wanted to avoid him, to retreat into the safety of isolation where no one could reach her. It wasn’t a luxury she could afford.

Suddenly, the soft sound of footsteps outside caught their attention. Addison’s breath hitched, her heart racing again. They weren’t alone.

“Stay quiet,” Amanda whispered, her voice tense. “He’s back.”

The three of them froze, eyes darting to the door. Outside, there was a rustle of movement. Someone—or something—was circling the cabin. Addison held her breath, her ears straining to catch any sound, any sign of what was happening outside. The shadows were thickening again, the feeling of being watched intensifying.

And then, as if answering the unspoken question, Aonmi’s voice broke the silence from just outside the door.

“I know you’re in there.”

Addison’s stomach churned. He’d been waiting for them. But how had he found them so quickly?

“You don’t have to be afraid,” Aonmi continued, his voice calm, almost soothing. “I’m not here to hurt you. Not unless you make me.”

Addison’s fists clenched. This wasn’t a negotiation. This was a game. A dangerous one. And Aonmi was determined to win.

“I’m not afraid of you,” Addison called out, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides.

A moment of silence followed. Then, the soft scrape of a footstep as Aonmi stepped closer to the door. “You should be.”

With that, the door creaked open just slightly, the shadows seeming to spill into the cabin like ink. Addison’s heart pounded in her chest, and she instinctively moved closer to Amanda and Laura, feeling the rush of adrenaline take over. There was no way to hide now. They had to face him.

Aonmi’s face appeared in the crack of the door, his violet eyes gleaming in the dim light. His smile was calm, unsettlingly so. “I told you, Addison. You’ll understand soon enough.”

Addison didn’t know if she was ready to understand. But one thing was clear: Aonmi wasn’t going anywhere. And neither were they.