"What is it?" Aria whispered, her voice barely audible, she scanned the horizon with a mix of curiosity and anticipation.
She couldn't see anything, but that rustling sound was sending shivers down her spine.
Ryan's eyes remained fixed, his expression tense and his jaw clenched.
"I don't know," he whispered back, his eyes narrowing in concentration.
Just as they held their breath, a fluffy rabbit walked out from the bush, its little paws twitching.
Aria exhaled, relief washing over her like a soothing balm. "A rabbit?" she whispered, amusement dancing in her voice as she gazed at the rabbit's big, beautiful eyes. She couldn't help but awwn at its adorable twitching nose.
Although Ryan was seeing the rabbit, he remained tense, his eyes scanning the rabbit, ensuring it was harmless.
"Let's not drop our guard," Ryan whispered to Aria cautious.
The rabbit hopped closer to Aria, its little paws wiggling as it moved. Aria's smile widened, her eyes shining with delight.
"Look at those eyes," she cooed and the rabbit ears twitched, its big brown eyes watchful.
"I think it's more scared of us," Aria said as she tentatively reached out her hand, trying to touch the rabbit's soft fur.
But a sharp jolt of pain shot through her injured leg, causing her to wince.
"Ow," she whispered, her hand hesitating mid-air.
Ryan's eyes snapped to hers with concern.
The rabbit moved closer to her and Aria gently stroked its fur with her fingertips.
"Soft," She whispered, her eyes looking into the rabbit's warm brown eyes. The evening sunlight danced across the rabbit fluffy fur, highlighting the delicate parts of its face.
In an instant, the rabbit's eyes transformed into a glowing fiery like embers from a raging fire,just like those creatures.
Aria's smile froze in shock. "What the—" she began to say but the rabbit's tiny jaws snapped shut, biting down on Aria's wrist with its razor sharp teeth that Aria doesn't know when it changed. Blood welled out from the wound, trickling down her arm.
"Fuck!" Aria screamed, her voice piercing the evening air. Her body arching backward in pain.
She fell to the ground, her injured leg buckling beneath her. The impact jarred her bones, sending waves of agony through her body.
Ryan's eyes widened in horror, he fucking knew that Rabbit was up to no good. "Aria!" he shouted, rushing to her side. His footsteps echoed through the dense forest.
He drew out his gun, finger hovering over the trigger but he hesitated, fearing a stray bullet might hit Aria. The rabbit's jaw tightened,m and its claws digging into Aria's skin on her arm.
Aria's face contorted in pain. Sweat quickly beaded on her forehead.
"Get it off!" she pleaded, wiggling the little rabbit.(^^)
Ryan carefully aimed his gun. Too close. He holstered it.
"Need to get it off without hurting you," Ryan muttered. Little tears began to stream down Aria face.
The rabbit's eyes was blazing red, its fur standing on end, bristling like needles. The air was heavy with tension.
Ryan eyes moved over to Aria's stick, her makeshift walking aid that was laying nearby, He swiftly picked it up, his hand closing around its sturdy base with ease
"Hold on," Ryan said reassuring as he brought the stick down with force, striking the rabbit's tiny body with precision. The impact made the rabbit's to squeak but the sound got faded into silence.
The rabbit's jaw loosened from the hit and Ryan carefully pried its jaws open.
Aria gasped as her wrist got freed from the rabbit deadly grip, relief washed over her face, easing the tension.
The rabbit fell motionless to the ground, it's red eyes fading to dull brown and it's fur goes back to its normal fluffy.
Ryan scooped Aria into his arms, cradling her like a child, ensuring her safety and comfort. Her body felt fragile, vulnerable, as if she might break at any moment.(^^)
He secured her close, his chest pressing against hers, "I've got you," Ryan whispered, his warm breath caressing her ear, soothing her fears away.
Aria's eyes moved towards Ryan, her irises shimmering with gratitude.
Ryan stood up, his muscles flexing beneath Aria's weight. He walked towards a nearby tree that was offering shelter from the unknown dangers lurking in the forest.
Ryan gently lowers Aria to the ground and she rested her back against the tree, She winced as she stretched out her legs.
"Better?" Ryan asked and Aria nodded.
Ryan removed her backpack from her back gently, the straps sliding off her shoulders.
"First aid kit," Ryan said, unzipping the backpack.
Aria watched, her eyes fixed on Ryan's hands.
"We need to clean your wrist," Ryan explained as he opened the first aid kit, revealing an array of medical supplies.
The evening sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow across the forest. Ryan carefully examine her wounded wrist. The fading light cast long shadows across his face as he gently cleaned the area with antiseptic wipes, wiping away dirt and blood.
"Easy," Ryan whispered, noticing Aria's wince. His breath caressed her skin.
Ryan applied a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to the wound, carefully spreading it across the affected area.
"This might sting," Ryan warned, his eyes locking onto Aria's.
Aria bit her lips to hold back the gasp as Ryan carefully wrapped gauze around her wrist, securing it with medical tape.
Aria watched as Ryan's hands moved with ease and cautious.
"All done," Ryan said while Aria smiled weakly.
"Thanks."
********
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