Chapter 3: The Stranger in the Night
332 Words
Ava's words sent a chill through the group. Elijah's eyes narrowed, his gaze scanning the surrounding dunes for any sign of danger. The mercenaries exchanged a wary glance, their hands instinctively going to the hilts of their swords.
"What did you see?" Elijah asked Ava, his voice low and urgent.
Ava hesitated, unsure of how to describe the figure she had seen. "It was tall," she said finally. "And imposing. It was standing on top of that dune over there."
The group followed her gaze, their eyes scanning the dunes for any sign of the mysterious figure. But there was nothing. Just the endless expanse of sand, stretching out into the darkness.
"I don't see anything," one of the mercenaries said, his voice skeptical.
Ava's eyes flashed with frustration. "I know what I saw," she insisted. "And I know it was watching us."
Elijah placed a calming hand on her shoulder. "We'll keep watch," he said. "If anything shows up, we'll be ready."
But as the night wore on, the group couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. They heard strange noises in the darkness - the rustle of sand, the creak of rocks. And Ava could have sworn she saw movement out of the corner of her eye.
It wasn't until the first light of dawn began to creep over the horizon that the group finally felt safe enough to settle in for some rest. They huddled together, exhausted and on edge, their eyes scanning the surrounding dunes for any sign of danger.
But as they drifted off to sleep, Ava couldn't shake the feeling that they were not alone in the desert. That something was still out there, watching them, waiting for its moment to strike.
And then, just as she was starting to relax, Ava felt a hand on her shoulder. She spun around, her heart racing, and saw a figure looming over her.
It was the stranger from the dune. And this time, he was closer.
- Writer
