Crackle, crackle — thunder roars.
Pitter-patter — rain soaks the forest floor.
The moon's luminance bounces through the trees, streaks of light cutting across the faces of two fleeing fugitives.
Barefoot, they sprint — both wearing greyish long-sleeve tops and bluish, pajama-like pants.
"Huff, huff… Hurry up, Vince! Don't slow down now, or they'll catch up!"
"Chris… my leg still hurts from the jump. I can't keep going like this," Vince whispers, holding onto his knees.
"I know, I know — but if we get caught again, we'll be treated worse than animals this time," Chris says softly.
"I'm s… sorry, Chris. I can get through it, just give me a few se—"
Before Vince can finish, Chris covers his mouth.
"Shh," he whispers.
Rattle. Rattle. The sound of sprinting on wet grass echoes through the forest.
"Ven Percy, sir! I think they went this way! There are fresh footprints all over!" a man yells from deep within the woods.
"YOU DON'T HAVE TO YELL, DEAN, YOU IDIOT! HOW STUPID CAN YOU BE TO BE THAT LOUD IN THE NIGHT!? YOU'LL DRAW THEM HERE!" shouts a man with the title — Ven.
'But you're yelling… is this guy okay?' Dean thinks to himself.
"DID YOU SAY SOMETHING, BOY?"
"No, Ven, sir!" Dean whispers.
"Why are you whispering?" Ven Percy asks.
"Because… you told me to?" Dean says reluctantly.
"ARE YOU BEING SMART WITH ME?" Ven Percy's face twists with fury.
'I thought drugs weren't allowed in The Motherland… did this guy smoke something?' Dean mutters internally.
Crackle, crackle — thunder roars again.
"Come on, Vince. Hang in there — the storm's getting stronger. This will help us. Let's get in there before they see us."
As Chris says this, both boys push forward. In the distance stands a small, abandoned shack — their only chance at shelter and escape.
Flicker, flicker — orangey amber lanterns sway wildly in the wind.
The two boys reach the shack. The front wooden door is already ajar. Without hesitation, they sprint inside.
Soaked and shivering, Chris looks for something to dry the wet floor.
"I don't feel good about this place, Chris," Vince mutters.
"Don't worry. We'll make it out of here this time. We won't be here long," Chris says with a faint smirk.
"I b… believe you, Chris. When we do… we'll go back for everyone, right?"
"Yes. And we won't just help them escape — we'll take over that hell and make it ours. We'll turn it into the dream we always talked about." Chris smiles — a rare, genuine smile.
Pit. Pat. Pit. Pat.
Whispers outside grow closer.
BANG!
"Did you see that, Ven, sir?! I absolutely destroyed that door — wow!" Dean shouts proudly.
With both hands crossed behind his back, Ven Percy glares with disgust.
"How do weaklings like you make it into our Core? How do you even pass Core training? You kick a measly door and celebrate? You're unbefitting… boy."
He scoffs. "The Core has gotten cheap. Soft. None of this would've happened if I were in charge."
Dean goes silent, his enthusiasm gone.
"Put yourself to use and check the rooms. I'll take the attic," Ven Percy orders.
As Ven Percy climbs the ladder, Dean steps lightly into the first room — nothing.
"Two doors left," he mutters.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Each step makes his heartbeat quicken.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
"I know you're in here… just come out and make it easy. Don't drag this out. Chris… purple-haired boy… come out," he whispers harshly.
Creeeek.
'Nothing. Are they even here?' he thinks.
"Last one," he mutters.
He approaches the final door. A cold breeze slips out from underneath.
"Chris, pur— what in the—" Dean's eyes widened in horror. As he fell onto the floor, a suffocating chill hit him as a coil of dense, obsidian shadow like mist snapped back from the gaping hole in the wall. The last thing he saw was a flash of purple hair vanishing into the dark.
Meanwhile, up in the attic, Ven Percy sticks his head through the hatch.
"AAAHHH! AGHHHH!"
"Why is he yelling again, that idiot," Ven Percy mutters, quickly descending the ladder.
"What are you yelling for now, after what I told you?" he grumbles, stepping into the room mid-rant.
"What did I tell you before, you useless—"
He freezes.
Dean was nowhere in sight and what he came to find left him speechless. He could not believe what he was seeing.
The storm had let up. All you could feel in that room was a strong breeze
"So… One of them has awoken their Meraki" he uttered
What he was looking at as he said that, was a gaping hole in the wall of the room. A hole so big, no human nor animal could have possibly created it.
—
Something beyond human had awakened.
NEXT CHAPTER - Tuesday 28th October