Cain stood alone again.
But the forest didn't feel empty.
He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to think.
"Okay. Lantern keeps the freaks away. Fine."
He turned in a slow circle, scanning the trees for movement. Nothing stepped out to challenge him, though he could feel dozens of unseen eyes tracking him from the dark.
Cain took a breath and started walking—straight ahead, deeper into the woods, using the lantern's glow as his only guarantee of safety. Every few meters, creatures stirred at the edge of vision, but none entered the light.
They followed him.
Always out of reach.
Always watching.
Minutes passed. Maybe an hour. The forest thickened, branches curling overhead like interlocking hands. The path underfoot became a narrow strip of roots and damp soil, almost carved by repeated footsteps. Cain kept going, refusing to let his pace falter, refusing to look behind him.
Finally, after what felt like forever, he saw something other than trees.
A clearing.
