“Okay, Kiri, you can do this,” she reassured herself aloud. “Maybe there’s a house nearby? Or a park ranger station?”
With a deep breath, Kiri grabbed her travel bag, slinging it over her shoulder. It was laden with essentials—water, snacks, and a first-aid kit—along with her wheeled suitcase. With a zip and a snap, she secured her emergency bag across her body, the strap cutting a diagonal line across her chest.
“First things first, I need to find high ground,” she reasoned, scanning the tree line for any hint of elevation. “Maybe I can get a signal there.”
She cast one last longing glance at the unyielding rental before turning her attention to the path ahead. Her hand closed around the strap of her bag, grip firm, as if holding on to it would grant her protection from the unknown.
She knew that venturing deeper into the forest was risky, but it was her only chance at finding help. Hopefully, she would come across a helpful monster, like the orc, who knew how to repair vehicles, but she knew her luck was already running thin for that to happen.
“Let’s do this.”
The sun was beginning to set, casting an eerie orange glow through the trees as Kiri trudged deeper into the forest. Each step she took felt heavier, her feet sinking into the soft ground with every crunch of leaves beneath her boots.
Her heart raced from the rustling of leaves teasing her ears and the occasional distant animal call breaking through the stillness.
As she walked deeper into the forest, Kiri couldn’t shake off the feeling of being watched, like invisible eyes were following her every move.
She quickened her pace, wanting to reach higher ground before nightfall.
The shrieking call of an unseen creature echoed through the forest, causing Kiri to freeze. The sound was foreign—neither bird nor beast—sent shudders down her spine. Could this be one of the island’s monstrous inhabitants? If so, were they friendly or hostile?
Would she be considered an intruder or guest in this monster-infested land? The urge to announce herself tugged at her—but what if it would invite danger instead of assistance? If monsters did lurk in these woods, she didn’t know whether they would consider her voice a plea or a trespass.
Suddenly, a loud snap echoed through the air, causing Kiri to jump in surprise.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she scanned her surroundings for any source of danger. Kiri tensed, gripping at the straps of her backpack, straining her eyes for any sign of movement. But all she could see were shadows creeping up from the darkness.
“Who’s there?” Kiri called out, trying to keep her voice steady.
Fear gripped at Kiri’s chest as she slowly turned around to face whatever was approaching her. She reached for a large branch lying nearby and held it tightly in front of her like a makeshift weapon.
She strained her ears, listening for any sign that she wasn’t alone in the forest but found none.
“Maybe it’s just a squirrel or something,” she mused, clinging to the hope that it wasn’t an angry monster…or a scary predator like a cougar stalking her.
Unidentifiable calls and hushed whispers seemed to be carried by the wind, teasing her ears.
Each small noise sent her imagination into overdrive, picturing a myriad of fantastical creatures that might call this place home. The orc did say that there were many nocturnalmonsters that lived on the island… were the noises coming from one of them wondering who she was and why she was there?
Yet, despite the fear that clawed at her throat, Kiri couldn’t deny the possibility of meeting another monster, out here in the middle of no where. They could be a naga, werewolf, or even a spidae, she didn’t care, as long as they could aid her.
The sun was setting lower, leaving streaks of amber and scarlet flowing through the treetops and painting the sky with the hues of fire. It wouldn’t be long before it was nightfall, and she would be stuck on a mountainside with no shelter, food, or water—and the only warmth she had was what was inside her wheeled suitcase and leather tote bag.
Kiri cursed herself for deciding to go on this nature hike in hopes to get to a location high enough for her smartphone to get a signal. It would probably have been a better idea to stay within the rental jeep with her hazards on and hope a passerby would stop to aid her. But the farther away from the coastal village she drove, the fewer vehicles she came across, making her wonder who—and what exactly—dwelled in these parts.
And when was she supposed to come across the lycan village?
For a brief moment, the rustling stopped, only to resume again, closer this time. Kiri clenched her fists, refusing to let fear take hold of her.
“All right, enough of this,” she muttered, her determination resurfacing. “I’m not going to let some creepy noises scare me off.”
Suddenly, the rustling sound was right in front of her. She skidded to a halt, her breath hitching. Blood drained from her face as she stiffened in suspense, her pulse racing as she curled her hands into fists.
Slowly, a small black and white creature waddled out from a cluster of ferns, blinking at her with curious eyes.
It was a skunk—a creature from her nightmares. Something she never wanted to encounter in her lifetime.
“Oh!” She gasped in relief and surprise, hand fluttering to her chest. But in her haste to back away, she missed the tell-tale lift of the skunk’s tail. Panic surged through her as the creature sprayed its infamous foul-smelling scent, the sharp odor hitting her like a solid wall.
