Episode 6
Their eyes locked on mine—pleading, desperate, filled with a faint glint of hope, as if I were their only chance. I had no choice but to agree.
"Okay… I'll go out and get some help," I said, forcing the words out.
Their faces lit up, smiles blooming like they had just seen light at the end of a long, dark tunnel.
Grandpa Memoir watched me quietly. He wasn't smiling, nor did he look angry. His expression was blank, almost unreadable. But when he noticed me looking back, he offered a gentle nod and that soft, steady smile that made him seem like a true leader.
Soon, a small group gathered—who would accompany me to the town's exit.
Daniel. Mira. Leandro—the thin-haired old man.
And me.
They were to escort me as far as they could.
I watched them prepare, checking bags, tying straps, and, to my surprise, grabbing knives and a rifle.
Curiosity got the better of me. I walked over to Leandro.
"Why are you bringing rifles and knives? I thought no one could enter this town. So… who are you planning to shoot?"
His eyes met mine, then turned away. Something flickered behind them—hesitation. Maybe fear.
"We're just making sure we'll be safe," he said flatly.
I nodded, uneasy. The sun hung directly above us, shadows shrinking beneath our feet. It must be noon.
"Let's go," Mira said firmly. She carried a backpack, a small flashlight, and a whistle hanging from a lace around her neck.
Leandro started walking first, followed by Daniel. I was about to step forward when Mira suddenly grabbed my arm—tight enough to make me stop. I turned to her, confused.
"If you can't leave town," she said in a serious tone, "go back immediately. If you're not back before sunset, that means you made it out… and we'll leave before dark."
Her grip loosened, and she walked ahead without another word.
We moved quickly, almost too fast to breathe. Everyone was on edge, scanning every shadow, every tree.
After several minutes, the town's gate came into view. From here, I'd have to pass through the forest to reach the bus stop.
I slowed down as the realization hit me. "Wait… how am I supposed to get to another town? The bus barely runs here."
Mira pressed her lips into a thin line.
"There's another town nearby—Aronside Ville. You can reach it by foot."
"Oh… good." I nodded. "So, how long is the walk?"
She looked me straight in the eye.
"Two… hours."
Two hours?! I gawked at her, disbelief all over my face. "Are you serious?"
"If you walk fast, maybe an hour and a half," she added.
"Thanks for the encouragement," I muttered, rolling my eyes.
We reached the gate.
"This is as far as we can go," Leandro said.
"Good luck out there. Be careful," Daniel added.
Mira handed me a small transparent plastic bag. Inside was a bottle of water, a piece of bread, and a compass.
"Don't be dumb," she said bluntly.
I rolled my eyes again but smiled faintly. Beneath her fierce look, I could tell she was kind.
Turning toward the forest, I took a deep breath and began walking. I glanced down at the compass resting in my palm. I had no idea how to use it—but maybe it would help.
After about thirty minutes, the trees began to close in. The path was familiar—this was the same route I had taken earlier that morning. But something felt… wrong.
The forest had gone silent. No birds. No insects. Nothing. Even the sound of the wind had vanished.
I looked down and stepped on some dry leaves—but there was no sound. My pulse quickened. I stomped harder, jumping on the spot. Still nothing.
Desperate, I picked up a fallen branch and snapped it in half. Silence.
My throat tightened. Panic began to creep in.
"What's happening?" I whispered.
I spoke louder. "Hello?"
My voice echoed through the forest—so it wasn't my hearing. The sound of my own words only made the silence heavier.
My heart pounded against my ribs. "Sh*t…"
Something was definitely wrong. I had to get out of here.
I started walking faster. Then running.
Sweat trickled down my face, my chest burned, but I didn't care. I just needed to get out.
Then I saw it—the bus stop. Relief flooded through me. I was almost there. Just a little more—
But then everything went dark. The world around me flickered out like an eclipse, and when the light returned… I was back in the middle of the forest.
"What the hell…?" My breath hitched. "What kind of sorcery is this?!"
I laughed nervously, slapping my cheeks. "No. No, this is just a dream."
But I was still here.
I kept running. Again and again, I tried. For what felt like hours, I ran until my lungs screamed. Every time, the forest reset, trapping me in the same place.
"What the heck?!" I shouted, panic breaking my voice.
I couldn't take it anymore. I had to go back. I had to tell them I couldn't get out of this cursed forest.
The sun was sinking now, painting everything gold and red. I didn't have a watch, but I knew it was almost sunset. I had to hurry.
Even with my legs shaking and breath ragged, I forced myself to run.
Finally, the gate appeared in the distance. Daniel. Leandro. Mira.
They were waiting—but their faces were pale, terrified. Not because I had failed. No… it was something else.
They were looking past me.
At something behind me.
They looked ready to bolt, but still didn't move.
I was almost there, just a few steps away when the chapel bell rang.
Once.
Twice.
Its hollow echo rolled across the forest like a warning from something unseen.
Then I saw Daniel's expression twist into sheer panic.
"DON'T LOOK BACK! RUN! RUN WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT!"
My blood froze. My heart pounded violently.
What's behind me?
I didn't think. I just—looked back.