The evening air was cool, brushing against Asher's face as he adjusted his jacket. He was so excited for his first date with Erica. Sliding into the driver's seat, he started the engine and eased onto the road toward their meeting point, mind already running through what he would say.
Should I tell her I love her? he wondered, getting red just at the thought. No... that's... too early—
Suddenly—THUMP!
Something heavy slammed onto the roof of his car, rattling the metal with a loud clang. Instinctively, Asher's head snapped up. A shadow moved—something on all fours leapt from the car and disappeared into the dark forest that lined the road. Though it was hard to make out, his eyes adjusted quickly. The silhouette looked almost human… but not quite.
Shaking his head, he pressed back on the gas and continued, trying to dismiss the strange encounter.
A hundred meters ahead, the road narrowed—and his path was blocked. Two black vans appeared from the darkness as if they had materialized from thin air. Three figures emerged, armed with crossbows and other weapons glinting in the faint light.
A man stepped forward, tall, imposing, with sharp eyes and a presence that demanded attention. "Boy! Leave immediately! This is a dangerous area!" he barked, his tone both urgent and commanding.
"But—" Asher began, but one of the other men cut him off.
"We found traces," the first muttered.
"Go! Go! Go!" the tall man commanded, gesturing sharply. The group vanished into the forest, moving with purpose and deadly precision.
Asher sat frozen for a moment, exasperation twisting his stomach. That was the only road to the meeting point… He dug his phone from his pocket and typed a quick message to Erica:
"Erica… I'm really sorry. We'll have to postpone the date. Some crazy men blocked the road and then ran into the forest without letting me pass. I know this might sound crazy, but please believe me. I promise I'll make it up to you."
With a frustrated sigh, he pocketed the phone. Curiosity gnawed at him. First, a shadowy figure had leapt from his car like some strange animal. Then, armed men appeared out of nowhere. Whatever they were chasing wasn't just ordinary… it had to be something fast, something big.
Asher stepped out of the car and into the forest, the soft rustle of leaves underfoot the only sound as darkness closed in around him.
...
Erica stood near the restaurant where she and Asher were supposed to meet. She had spent time combing her hair, choosing her best outfit, and arranging herself carefully—innocent, elegant, radiant and... beautiful.
Her phone buzzed. She glanced down and read the message from Asher.
Her heart sank. She had prepared so carefully, and now… just like that, her first date was cancelled. She felt a tight knot of disappointment twist inside her chest.
Before she could collect herself, a group of girls appeared, led by Madison. Their approach was deliberate, confident, predatory. Madison's eyes widened slightly as she spotted Erica.
"Well, well… Erica. You're really cute like this," Madison said, her tone teasing, almost venomous.
"T-Thanks…" Erica replied cautiously, instinctively straightening her posture.
Madison tilted her head, smiling wickedly. "Did you prepare like this… for work?"
"Work?" Erica repeated, confused.
"Prostitution," Madison said plainly, eyes glinting with cruel amusement.
Erica froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. "W-What…?"
"Yes. What else would you be doing here, all alone, dressed like that?" Madison's grin widened as her friends chuckled behind her.
"I-I…" Erica swallowed hard, her voice trembling. Summoning all the courage she had, she shouted, "I have a date!"
The girls erupted into laughter, mocking and loud.
"You? A date?" one of Madison's friends scoffed, eyes rolling.
Erica's heart pounded as her cheeks flushed. Her hands trembled at her sides.
Madison leaned closer, a malicious gleam in her eye. "It's Asher, right?"
Erica's eyes widened in shock. "H-How do you know…?" she stammered, voice barely audible.
"Do you really think he would go out with someone like you?" Madison said sharply. "Just because you were his only friend before doesn't mean he's… that into you. Probably just a leftover crush."
Erica's lips quivered. Her hands shook. Tears threatened to spill.
Madison's grin grew wider, more cruel. "But I know for sure that crush is gone. When I invited him to my place tonight, he cancelled your date immediately. That's why he's not here."
Erica's eyes filled with tears. Panic and heartbreak collided, and she could only watch as Madison continued, her words like knives.
"He's at my place, just waiting for me… I'll make him feel crazy tonight," Madison said smugly, finishing her sentence with a sinister chuckle.
Erica could take no more. The tears started streaming freely. She turned and ran, clutching herself as sobs wracked her body. Her heart ached, a mixture of betrayal and despair.
...
Whoosh!
The sharp hiss of an arrow cutting through the air sliced the stillness of the forest.
Twip!
It embedded itself into a tree trunk, penetrating a forearm. A groan of pain echoed through the shadows. "Ahhh!"
Three men emerged, eyes scanning the trees. The tallest of them barked, "Take him!"
But before the order could be carried out, one of his men was suddenly pushed back, crashing into a tree. Another went flying a moment later, grunting in pain. Only the taller man remained standing, his eyes wide, body tense.
Without hesitation, he drew a sleek .96 caliber pistol, fingers gripping it tight.
A low groan came from behind him—"Ahhh!"
The man spun, gun raised, and froze. The figure he had thought pinned to the tree by the arrow was gone, thrown to the ground.
Asher crouched behind a thick tree trunk, chest heaving. Heart hammering, sweat prickling his skin.
What had he just witnessed? An attempted kidnapping? A murder?
Every nerve in his body screamed at him, but his mind was racing faster.
His eyes darted through the shadows, trying to make sense of the chaos. Whoever—or whatever—had just moved those men… it wasn't human.
Asher's pulse pounded.
He had stumbled into something far bigger than he had imagined.
...
Erica stumbled through the forest, tears streaming down her face. She cried and cried, her sobs echoing between the trees. Her chest heaved, each breath ragged and shaky. She didn't know what else to do.
She sank to the forest floor, curling in on herself, letting the tears fall freely. Tear after tear, her sorrow seemed endless.
Then—a sharp crack.
A branch snapped somewhere close, as if something had stepped heavily through the underbrush. Erica jerked her head up, eyes wide and red from crying.
There, in the dim shadows, a figure stood. Red eyes glowed faintly, observing her. Its presence was still, silent, almost calculating.
Erica instinctively took a step back, trembling. She opened her mouth to scream—but stopped. What was the point? Her life, her joys… they were gone. What did it matter anymore?
A strange, hopeless calm settled over her. She lifted her arms, surrendering. She would embrace the end.
And the creature—whatever it was—tilted its head slightly. The corner of its mouth twitched, almost like a grin.
To be continued...
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How was this chapter? Liked it?
Am I setting up a good story for Erica so far (she's dead, lol)?