CHAPTER 2: THE STRANGER IN THE FOREST
669 Words
Maya stood frozen in the middle of the clearing, staring at the bloodied footprints disappearing into the darkness.
The rain continued to fall heavily, soaking her hair and clothes. Her hands trembled as she tried to understand what had just happened.
The man had disappeared.
No footsteps.
No sound.
Nothing.
Maya slowly looked around.
Maya: Where did you go?
A sudden rustling came from the trees.
Maya stepped backward.
The branches moved violently as something passed through them.
Her heart raced.
Maya: Who's there?
No answer.
She turned toward the path she had taken earlier and started walking quickly.
Every few seconds, she looked over her shoulder.
Nothing.
But she could feel it.
Someone was watching her.
Maya tightened her grip on her scarf and continued walking.
Then she heard footsteps behind her.
One.
Two.
Three.
Slow and heavy.
Maya stopped.
The footsteps stopped too.
She slowly turned around.
A man was standing several feet away.
It was the stranger.
His clothes were still torn, and the wound on his side was bleeding again. His golden eyes looked almost unnatural beneath the pale moonlight.
Maya stared at him.
Maya: You scared me.
The man said nothing.
Instead, he looked toward the trees.
Mysterious Man: You need to leave.
Maya frowned.
Maya: Who are you?
He looked back at her.
Mysterious Man: It doesn't matter.
Maya: It matters to me. You appeared right after that wolf disappeared.
The man's expression became tense.
Mysterious Man: You saw the wolf?
Maya nodded.
Maya: Yes.
He took a slow breath.
Mysterious Man: What did it look like?
Maya: It was huge. Black fur. Golden eyes. And it was wounded.
The man's jaw tightened.
Maya noticed his reaction.
Maya: Why are you asking?
He stepped closer.
Mysterious Man: Did it hurt you?
Maya shook her head.
Maya: No.
The man looked relieved for a brief moment.
Maya noticed it.
Maya: You were worried about it.
He remained silent.
Maya stepped closer.
Maya: You know that wolf, don't you?
The man's eyes hardened.
Mysterious Man: You ask too many questions.
Maya: And you give too few answers.
For the first time, a faint smile appeared on his face.
Mysterious Man: You're brave.
Maya: Or maybe I'm just stupid.
His smile disappeared.
Mysterious Man: You shouldn't be here, Maya.
Maya froze.
She had never told him her name.
Maya: How do you know my name?
The man's eyes widened slightly.
He realized his mistake.
Maya: I never told you my name.
He stepped backward.
Maya followed him with her eyes.
Maya: Who are you?
The stranger looked toward the forest again.
Mysterious Man: Go home.
Maya: Not until you tell me how you know my name.
A loud growl suddenly came from behind the trees.
The man's expression changed instantly.
He moved in front of Maya.
Mysterious Man: Stay behind me.
Maya: What is that?
Another growl echoed through the forest.
This one was much closer.
The stranger's hands slowly curled into fists.
His breathing changed.
His eyes began glowing brighter.
Maya stared at him in confusion.
Maya: Your eyes...
The man looked down.
His eyes were no longer completely human.
Golden light burned through them.
Maya took a step backward.
Maya: What are you?
The stranger looked at her.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he whispered the words that would change Maya's life forever.
Mysterious Man: I'm the reason you were warned never to enter this forest.
A powerful howl suddenly shook the trees.
Maya looked behind him.
A pair of glowing eyes appeared in the darkness.
Then another pair.
And another.
The stranger grabbed Maya's hand.
Mysterious Man: Run.
Maya: Where?
Mysterious Man: Anywhere but here.
They ran through the forest as the creatures behind them began chasing.
Maya could barely keep up.
But the stranger never let go of her hand.
And as they disappeared deeper into Blackwood Forest, Maya didn't notice the strange symbol glowing faintly on the palm of her hand.
A symbol that looked exactly like a wolf.
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