"Run faster!"
"Ahhhh!"
"What the hell is that!?"
Were goners. That's what I thought after seeing the black liquid drawing out from the green pearl back in the Silver Town. But now, I'll definitely go insane if this continues for the next few minutes. We're running as fast as we can for if not, were going to be devoured by the freakiest and the most hideous creature we've ever seen. I think following Scarlet's so called "instinct" is the worst thing to do.
---Flashback---
"Lets run for it!"
After shouting that, it was like a snap that we found ourselves sitting in an unknown place. The three of us were facing each other as we are back in the Silver Town. Jack's eyebrows were about to meet while blinking his eyes. And just like a statue, Scarlet is frozen holding her mouth wide open while staring into space. My heart is pounding as I tried to close my eyes and clam myself.
"Okay, this is unbelievable", Jack let out a deep sigh and stood up to observe the surroundings.
I got up and noticed that I still have the satchel loaded with jewelries. I looked up to see the towering trees and the crimson sky above. Its morning and the mist of this forest makes things a little vague to see.
"Scarlet, get up. We need to get outta here". Jack displayed a serious face.
" This cant be real", Scarlet stated with her shaking voice and stoop up and shook off the soil on her clothes with her trembling hands. She examined the forest with curious...no frightened face.
"That green pearl-like thing was something".
I looked up to jack then held my head low. It's my fault.
" Sorry. I'm sorry".
"No. I didn't mean it li-"
"Lets get movin. Well talk after we get back".
Jack was cut off by Scarlet. There was a moment of silence and all I could hear were the chirping crickets. Crickets. Wait. Scarlet never liked the crickets chirping. She's irritated whenever she hears them. I took a glimpse of Jack and saw his face like he just realized something.
" Lets go this way." Scarlet grunted with her vexed tone.
"Wai-"
"Its instinct".
I was cut off by Scarlet as she started to walk without looking back. Jack and I looked to each other with uncertainty on our faces and shrugged our shoulders before walking behind Scarlet.
No one dares to utter a single word making our situation more and more awkward. We've been walking for about three hours now. I noticed that there are fewer trees than before and I can barely hear the crickets. The sun got higher and the mist is gone. Now that I think about it, this forest is so rich. The smell of the flowers is all over the place. Plants were painted with different colors and the sunlight that managed to slip through the leaves of the towering trees makes them look brighter.
Scarlet suddenly stopped walking and clenched her fists before shouting.
" This is all your fault! If you weren't too greedy, anything of this would have never happened!."
"If you were in my situation, I'm sure you'll snatch the pouch too, or maybe you'll even take his baggage for you're the one who has never been satisfied with anything."
I answered for I knew she was referring to me. Scarlet turned and grabbed my clothes with rage on her face.
"What did you say?! Repeat that and I'll crush that skull together with your shrimpy brain!"
Those lines made my blood boil. I grabbed her clothes and pulled her closer to me.
"What, you're haughty now?! Huh! Who do you think was the one who picked that dying body of yours years ago?!"
"Shut up!"
Jack put his hand between us and separated us with great force that I almost tripped backwards while Scarlet lost his balance and fell on the ground.
"What do you think you're doing! This isn't the time to blame each other! You're just wasting time. Its almost noon and were still roaming around this stupid forest!"
I was looking downwards when I noticed a great shadow casting over us. I was totally dumbfounded by the creature standing behind Jack who had his eyes wide open.
Its looks like a giant wild boar with four tusks and long hair that I can't even see the eyes. Its growling sound gives off the run-away-as-fast-as-you-can-I'll-give-you-five-seconds feeling. I saw Scarlet standing slowly while staring behind jack on my peripheral vision. There was a moment of silence until the monster let out a deep breath that made jack's hair stand up.
"Run!"
---End of flashback---
With Jack's long legs, he was running in front of us and with Scarlet's short ones, she's running a little behind me. I can hear the monster's loud panting and feel the vibration of the ground as it chases us. I had the satchel crossed over my body and its kind of heavy.
"Run faster!"
"Ahh!"
"What the hell is that?!"
"Selena! Scarlet!"
We all gasped as we saw the large stone wall before us. There are only two choices- to go right and to go left. As we run closer to the stone wall, the time to decide is also coming. And there it is.
"Were going left!" "Left!" "Lets go right!"
The next thing I knew, Scarlet and I were running on the same direction without Jack in sight. After running for a few minutes, I can no longer sense the monster. We stopped running and laid our backs on the ground while catching our breaths. I can hear Scarlet's loud panting, I bet she can also hear mine. Its almost noon, I closed my eyes for the sunlight hurts them.
"What about Jack?"
Scarlet asked with her low trembling voice. She started to sob and cried silently. And without realizing it, my tears started to flow as well. That was scary. I thought were going to die for sure. That monster is after Jack now. Jack maybe fast at running, but sooner or later, his legs will sore, and he'll be out of breath.
"Hey, do you think Jack will survive?"
I asked Scarlet, though I'm not expecting an answer. Minutes have passed and there's still no reply. I opened my eyes and sat to see Scarlet.
"Scarlet?" She was so still and breathing slowly. I went on her side and tried to wake her up but I got no response.
"Scarlet? Hey! Wake up!" I tried to shake her body a little hoping she'll open her eyes. I put my palm on her forehead and gasped as I felt it burning. I started to panic as i don't know what to do and let out a few deep breaths to calm myself down. I fixed the satchel on my shoulder and carried Scarlet on my back. There must be at least a village around here.
Hours have passed since I decided to carry Scarlet on my back. My eyesight is getting blurry and I think that ill lose my balance soon. I was panting heavily. I think that time just got slower as I tripped over an overgrown root and fell on the ground. I can't t think straight as I see the blood flowing on the ground.
With my head aching so much and Scarlet's weight on my back, my consciousness is fading. I saw a silhouette of a guy not so far before us and tried to reach him with my hand but my body is out of energy. My eyelids were heavy but I think I managed to say a word before my eyes completely closed.
"Jack".