Cliff slowly opened his eyes, groggily taking in his surroundings. He was in a cozy bed, surrounded by familiar faces - Phil and Cleventon. The events of the previous night were hazy, but the memory of the monster's terrifying roar still lingered.
"Wh-what happened?" Cliff stammered, trying to sit up.
Phil, sitting beside him, gently pushed him back onto the pillow. "Easy, buddy. You've been through a lot."
Cleventon, busily preparing a medicinal concoction, chimed in, "You were attacked by that beast in the woods. Phil here found you unconscious and brought you back."
Cliff's mind racing, he turned to Phil. "You saved me?"
Phil nodded, his expression serious. "I went after you when I realized you were gone. Found you lying in the woods, out cold. I carried you back here."
Cliff's gratitude swelled. "Thanks, Phil. I owe you one."
Cleventon handed Cliff a steaming cup. "Drink this, Cliff. It'll help with the pain."
Cliff took a sip, wincing at the bitter taste.
Phil leaned forward. "We need to talk about what happened, Cliff. That thing in the woods...it's not natural."
Cliff's thoughts turned to Dora. Was she still in danger?
"Do you think it's connected to Dora's disappearance?" Cliff asked, his concern evident.
Phil's expression turned grim. "I think it's more than just a coincidence."
Cleventon nodded in agreement. "We need to investigate further."
Cliff's determination solidified. "Let's find out what's going on and get Dora back.
Phil's eyes narrowed, his curiosity piqued. "Cleventon, can I ask you something?"
Cleventon, busy stirring the medicinal concoction, looked up. "Of course, Phil."
"How did that...thing get into your house?" Phil asked, his voice laced with skepticism. "Did you see it walk in?"
Cleventon's expression turned somber, his eyes clouding over. "I didn't see it walk in, Phil. I swear."
Phil's brow furrowed. "What do you mean? You were here, weren't you?"
Cleventon nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, I was. I went to the kitchen to prepare some tea for Dora. She was feeling feverish."
"And then?" Phil prompted, his eyes locked on Cleventon's.
Cleventon's hands began to shake, the spoon clattering against the bowl. "I heard...a sound. An animalistic sound, like nothing I've ever heard before. It came from the room where Dora was lying."
Phil's grip on the armrest tightened. "What did you do?"
Cleventon's eyes welled up with tears. "I rushed back to the room, and...and that's when I saw it. The monster. It was...it was breaking out of the room, smashing furniture and walls."
Phil's face paled. "And Dora?"
Cleventon's voice cracked. "Gone. By the time I returned, she was nowhere to be found."
The room fell silent, the only sound Cleventon's ragged breathing.
Phil's mind reeled, trying to piece together the events. "So, you're saying the monster was already inside the house?"
Cleventon nodded, his face etched with horror. "Yes. It must have been hiding, waiting for its chance to strike."
Cliff's eyes snapped open, his gaze locking onto Cleventon. "And you didn't see it take Dora?"
Cleventon shook his head, tears streaming down his face. "No, Cliff. I'm so sorry. I failed to protect her."
Phil's expression turned resolute. "We'll find her, Cleventon. We won't rest until she's safe."
Cliff's determination flared. "We need to search the woods again, now. That monster might have left a trail."
Cleventon rose, his face set in a grim determination. "I'll gather my supplies. We leave immediately."
The trio set out into the woods, driven by their unwavering resolve to rescue Dora and unravel the mystery of the monstrous entity.
As they ventured deeper into the woods, the shadows seemed to grow longer, the silence thicker. Phil's voice barely broke the stillness.
"Do you think Dora's still alive?"
Cliff's jaw clenched. "She has to be."
Cleventon's eyes gleamed with a fierce determination. "We'll find her. Together."
Their footsteps echoed through the forest, a steadfast beat that refused to falter.