Rex stumbled home, his clothes soaked in sweat and his eyes bloodshot from crying. The screams of his friends echoed in his head, and their terrified faces haunted him.
"I caused this," he muttered, his voice breaking. "I should have listened to my instincts when I felt uneasy. I should have heeded Prince's warning to turn back." Tears streamed down his face as he collapsed to the ground. "Why did it take them and not me?" he cried out. "Oh my God, what am I going to do now?"
He lay there for a while, consumed by guilt and fear. "This is our last exam in secondary school. If this isn't dealt with, it will be a disaster," he thought, trying to calm himself. "Martins and Prince, please hang on. I'll find a way to get you back." Wiping his tears, he forced himself to stand.
He headed inside, took a shower, changed his clothes, and cried himself to sleep. But sleep offered no solace. Nightmares of his friends' anguish kept waking him up. If he wanted to save them, he had to clear his mind.
**********
"Clara, have you seen Martins this evening?" Mrs. Ajayi asked her daughter, worry etched on her face. Martins hadn't been seen since he went for his last exam.
"He's probably out with his friends, enjoying the post-exam freedom," Clara replied, unconcerned.
"I hope so. I have a feeling he's in danger," Mrs. Ajayi said, unable to shake her anxiety.
"Mummy, stop being so pessimistic. He's fine," Clara assured her with a smile.
"I hope so... I hope so..." Mrs. Ajayi muttered as she walked away.
***********
Rex jolted awake, his heart pounding. "I'll advise you to head back home while you still can," the strange caveman's voice echoed in his head. He was drenched in sweat again. "How much more sweat can I lose in one day?" he grumbled, wiping his face.
He checked the time it was already evening. "Their parents must be worried sick. What can I do to ease their worry?" he pondered. No clear ideas came to him. "Maybe focusing on saving them will ease their worry the most," he concluded.
"That caveman... he knows something," Rex thought. "If I can find him again, maybe he can help."
"Who are you talking to? And what kind of help do you need?" Rex's dad asked from behind.
Rex spun around, startled. "Did I say that out loud?" he cursed under his breath. "Should I tell him?"
"Hmm, there's this man I met earlier today. He was talking about something I didn't understand, but now I think he's really intelligent. He might be able to help me with some research for school," Rex said, concealing the true nature of his mission.
"Just be careful with strangers," his dad warned and walked away.
Rex sighed with relief. "That was close," he muttered, shutting his door.
"I need a plan. This won't be a quick journey, and I can't just disappear without causing a ruckus," he thought.
Rex's parents were no longer together, their love having turned into hatred. They had loved each other for 20 years and were married for 17 before a rift expanded into a war, leading to their separation. His father had remarried and blocked all contact with Rex's mother.
"I'll lie and say I'm going to my mum's place for two weeks. Since Dad won't call her to confirm, I'll have enough time to rescue Martins and Prince," Rex planned.
Rex knew he had to come up with a convincing story to get his dad to agree to let him stay with his mum. The next morning, he approached his dad, trying to look as composed as possible.
"Dad, can I talk to you for a minute?" Rex asked, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside.
His dad looked up from his newspaper. "Sure, son. What's on your mind?"
"I was thinking... since the exams are over, I'd like to spend some time with Mum. It's been a while, and I miss her," Rex said, hoping his sincerity would come through.
His dad frowned slightly. "Are you sure? You know things haven't been great between us."
"I know, Dad. But she's still my mum, and I really want to see her. Plus, she said she'd help me with some projects I've been working on," Rex added, trying to make his request sound more reasonable.
His dad sighed, looking thoughtful. "Alright, Rex. Just be careful. And if you need anything, call me."
Rex felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Thanks, Dad. I appreciate it."
---
With his dad convinced, Rex prepared to return to the forest. He packed a small bag with essential supplies, including a flashlight, a pocketknife, some food, and water. He took a deep breath before stepping out, steeling himself for the journey ahead.
As he retraced his steps back to the old tree, the atmosphere grew increasingly eerie. The forest, which had once felt enchanting, now seemed menacing. Shadows danced among the trees, and strange noises echoed around him.
When he reached the old tree, Rex felt a chill run down his spine. The air around it seemed heavier, almost oppressive. He took a deep breath and stepped closer.
Suddenly, the ground beneath him shifted, and he stumbled, barely catching himself. Dark, twisted roots seemed to writhe beneath the surface, attempting to trip him. He carefully navigated around them, his heart pounding.
Just as he thought he was past the worst of it, a low growl resonated through the forest. Rex turned to see a pair of glowing eyes staring at him from the darkness. A massive, shadowy beast emerged, its form shifting and flickering like smoke.
Rex gripped his pocketknife, knowing it would be little use against such a creature. The beast lunged at him, and he barely managed to dodge, feeling the rush of wind as it passed by.
He ran, his feet pounding against the forest floor, the beast hot on his heels. Desperation gave him speed, and he ducked under low-hanging branches and leaped over fallen logs. But the beast was relentless.
In a moment of clarity, Rex remembered the flashlight in his bag. He fumbled for it, his hands shaking, and finally managed to turn it on. He pointed the beam at the beast, hoping it would have some effect.
The creature recoiled, its form flickering violently. It let out an ear-piercing screech and retreated into the shadows. Rex didn't wait to see if it would return. He continued running until he reached the old tree again.
Exhausted and terrified, he leaned against the tree, trying to catch his breath. But the forest wasn't done with him yet. The air grew colder, and he felt an unnatural presence around him. He looked up to see shadowy figures emerging from the tree, their eyes glowing with malice.
Rex knew he had to face them if he was to rescue Martins and Prince. He stood his ground, clutching his pocketknife and flashlight. The figures surrounded him, their whispers filling the air with ominous promises of pain and despair.
Summoning all his courage, Rex lunged at the nearest figure, slashing with his knife. The blade passed through it harmlessly, but the figure shrieked and dissipated. Encouraged, Rex swung the flashlight beam around, scattering the shadows with its light.
The battle was fierce, and Rex felt his strength waning. But he fought on, determined to save his friends. Finally, with one last burst of energy, he drove the remaining shadows back, their forms dissolving into the night.
Panting and trembling, Rex collapsed to the ground. He had overcome the challenges and battles thrown at him by the forest, but he knew the hardest part was yet to come. He had to find Martins and Prince and bring them back safely. He stood up, his resolve stronger than ever, and pressed on deeper into the forest, ready to face whatever came next.