The forest beyond the village was dark and dense.
The moonlight barely cutting through the thick canopy above. With only a few lanterns and torches in hand, Riven, the wagon owner, the village head, and a few brave villagers stepped into the wilderness. Crickets chirped, leaves rustled under their feet, and the occasional hoot of an owl reminded them just how deep they were in the unknown.
"Spread out," Riven instructed quietly. "But not too far. Keep someone within shouting range."
The group broke into pairs, slowly combing the surrounding forest, checking behind trees, in abandoned huts, and even inside nearby wells. Each false lead weighed heavy on the village head's heart. He walked stiffly, gripping a taillight in one hand, his other clenched into a fist as he whispered his daughter's name like a prayer.
"I can't believe this happened," the wagon owner muttered to Riven. "A child doesn't just disappear in a peaceful village like this."
Riven nodded grimly. "Unless someone wanted her gone… or used her as bait."
"Why are we even wasting our time? Let them find her themselves," the wagon owner snapped.
Riven shot back, "I'm only holding back out of respect for your age. We owe it to the village head for giving us shelter, so it's our duty to help. Otherwise, trust me, I'd have much harsher things to say."
They searched for hours, their energy draining as the cold air grew heavier with each passing minute. The villagers tried to stay hopeful, calling out the girl's name again and again.
"Do you think she could have wandered off?" a young villager asked, shining his lantern toward a thicket.
"No," Riven said firmly. "The way the village head reacted… this isn't something accidental. Someone did this."
The night dragged on. Around dawn, just as the first faint rays of sunlight broke through the eastern horizon, a sharp whistle echoed from the left side of the forest. One of the villagers had spotted something.
"Over here! I found something!" he yelled.
Everyone rushed to the spot, hearts pounding. There, beneath a large tree with gnarled roots, they saw her.
The girl was tied with thick ropes, sitting upright against the base of the tree. Her eyes were wide but dry, as if she had cried so much that her tears had given up. She looked unharmed but exhausted, her arms tightly bound and legs tangled in the ropes.
The village head dropped to his knees. "My daughter!" he sobbed, crawling toward her as the others quickly began untying the knots.
She whispered weakly, "Father…"
Tears streamed down the old man's face. He hugged her tightly, refusing to let go even after she was freed. The girl clung to him just as hard, trembling in his arms.
Riven stood a few steps back, watching with furrowed brows. Why was she here? Who tied her up… and why wasn't there any sign of a struggle?
He glanced around. There were no broken branches, no drag marks on the ground. It felt too clean.
The wagon owner leaned in. "Riven… something's off, isn't it?"
Riven nodded. "Yeah. We're missing something."
But there wasn't time to question it now. The girl was safe, and that was all that mattered—for the moment.
With the morning sun fully risen, the group slowly made their way back to the village. The villagers, weary from the all-night search, walked in silence. Relief hung heavy in the air, but so did suspicion.
Back at the house, Riven pushed open the door, guiding the village head and his daughter inside.
He quietly stepped toward the guest room where Auren had been left. The door creaked open.
Auren was lying on the bed, wrapped in the blanket, breathing softly in a deep sleep—exactly where they had left him.
Riven narrowed his eyes slightly, stepping into the room.
He stood there for a moment, watching.
He slept through all of that? Strange...
But there were no answers yet. Just more questions.
Riven closed the door quietly behind him and joined the others in the main hall.
The morning wasn't over—but something told him the real problems had just begun.
---
Riven turned to the village head and said respectfully,
"Thank you so much for your hospitality. It truly felt like we were at home. Now, please allow us to continue our journey."
But the village head shook his head gently and replied with a warm smile,
"No, no... please don't thank me. I should be the one thanking you—for helping us find our daughter. My wife and I will always be grateful. And besides, don't leave so soon. You both look exhausted. We searched for her for nearly ten hours without rest. I insist you stay until you've had time to recover."
Riven paused, considering the village head's words. He glanced at the wagon owner, who was clearly worn out from the long search.
He's right, Riven thought. We're both completely drained. It wouldn't be safe for the wagon owner to drive in this condition. Rest is the wise choice.
Just then, the village head's wife gently asked,
"What are you thinking, Riven?"
He gave her a small, polite smile and replied,
"Nothing serious, ma'am. We'll continue our journey after getting some rest."
He bowed respectfully to both the village head and his wife, then quietly left the hall.
Riven made his way to the room where Auren was still sleeping peacefully. Laying down with the wagon owner on the floor bed.
As Riven lay beside Auren, he glanced at him with concern. It's been over ten hours… why hasn't he woken up yet? he wondered. Is he just exhausted, or something else?But Riven finally allowed himself to relax—and soon drifted into a deep sleep.
Afternoon --
"Wake up, Riven! We have to go," Auren said, nudging him. "Don't waste more time sleeping."
Riven opened one eye and smirked.
"Easy for you to say. While you were snoring like a baby last night, I was out there risking my life finishing our mission.To find the village head's daughter."
Auren stretched with a smug grin.
"And while you were on a mission… I was busy drilling."
Riven sat up, confused.
"Wait… what the hell do you mean by 'drilling'?"
Auren shrugged, trying to hide his grin.
"Nothing. Don't take it seriously."
"Oh, I will take it seriously, you bastard," Riven muttered.