"It's quite nice to just sit under the trees and watch the stars don't you think?"
Lukas was half paying attention to Oak, slowly dozing off while watching the fire crackle.
"Yeah... but I think the fire is nicer."
They had left Mystic Camp only three days ago. But Lukas only realised now, how long the journey was going to take. At this pace at least. Tomorrow, they were going to finally reach the main road, and continue north to Shadecross. After that, either stop at Willowrest or head straight to Snakewell.
He had never been anywhere outside of Shorstone until now. So he was glad that Vesa had told him how to get there and gave him a map. He would not have been able to get there without it.
"Hey Oak, have you ever been to Shadecross or Willowrest?"
Oak didn't answer. Letting the crackle of the fire, and chirping insects fill the silence.
It was weird for Oak to be that quiet. Did he not hear him?
'I'm tired... maybe he's just trying to sleep.'
Lukas yawned and went to sleep, not really caring what the answer was.
The next day, however, as they were travelling on the road, talking about whatever came to mind. Lukas had a strange sensation creeping up his neck, like someone was watching them.
He didn't say anything to Oak right away. Instead trying to passively observe what it was, and where it came from.
He scanned his surroundings over the next couple of minutes, trying to not draw any attention. Nobody had passed them in the last hour or so. Nothing rustled in the bushes or the trees.
He wasn't making it up. No, it was real, he was sure of it.
"-it was strange like my whole body was fuzzy."
Lukas didn't quite catch what Oak said, but he didn't need to right now.
"Hey Oak, why don't we stop for a bit."
"Why? Are you tired? We might make it to Shadecross by tomorrow evening if we keep going."
Lukas sighed.
"No... I just think we should stop for a bit."
They went to the side of the road, and Lukas sat down. He closed his eyes and just listened to his surroundings. He heard Oak move every so often. He heard birds fly in and out of the canopy. He heard insects pass him by. Occasionally he would open his eyes and scan the area.
After about half an hour at most, he noticed something strange. Sitting on a branch across the road was a small blue bird.
The bird itself wasn't strange, Lukas had seen a couple of bluebirds like it before. But, it didn't move, remaining completely motionless. When it did move, it made no sound.
Creepiest of all, however, it was looking directly at Lukas and Oak.
He thought about telling Oak, but he thought that might be a bad idea. He didn't want to tell the bird that he knew about its existence. Maybe that was a stupid thing to think, but he went with his gut.
"Come on, let's go, and a bit faster this time. We should make up for lost time."
Oak turned to Lukas, as Lukas stood up.
"But you were the one who said we should stop. Now you want to make up for lost time?"
Oak sighed and followed Lukas as they increased their pace. But as they trekked further, the bird followed. Hopping from branch to branch, never once taking to the sky. All the while, never removing its gaze from the two of them.
As the hours passed them by, it never gave up its pursuit. At one point, Lukas even considered it some form of ghast. Yet, despite its unnerving nature, it didn't contain the same traits.
There was no pale skin, the colour of moonlight. No eyes of matte or glossy solid colours. No wrongness in its physical composition.
Nevertheless, there was something off about the bird. Lukas could've sworn he saw an acorn fall straight through the bird at one point. Yet there were no marks on it, besides a strange puff of mist.
By evening, as they made camp just off the main road, Lukas finally told Oak by whispering to him as he passed by him.
He tried to make it look as if he never said anything. He wasn't even sure if Oak heard him. But Oak turned him to with a look of confusion and worry.
"Do you hear something?"
Lukas sighed.
"Never mind, I'll just tell you, earlier-"
Just then, someone other than Oak or Lukas, cleared their throat.
"Hello, am I interrupting something?"