Chapter 20: Whispers in the Dark
The forest at night was a different world altogether. The trees loomed like silent sentinels, their branches clawing at the starless sky. The firelight cast long shadows on the ground, and every rustle in the underbrush felt like the prelude to another attack.
Henry sat with his back to a large tree, sharpening his knife methodically. His movements were calm, deliberate, as if he'd done this a hundred times before. Adam, on the other hand, was pacing near the fire, his nerves fraying with every passing second.
"Do you ever stop moving?" Henry asked, not looking up.
Adam stopped abruptly. "Sorry, I just… can't relax. Not with those guys out there."
Henry glanced at him. "They won't find us tonight. But if you keep making noise, you'll lead them right to us."
Adam sighed, sitting down on a nearby log. He pulled out his phone, the screen casting a faint glow on his face.
"Very funny," Adam muttered.
Henry raised an eyebrow. "What's it saying now?"
Adam hesitated. "Something about a lullaby."
Henry shook his head, a hint of a smile on his lips. "You talk to that thing more than you talk to me."
"Not yet," Adam replied under his breath.
As the fire died down, Henry took the first watch, leaving Adam to attempt sleep. Lying on the cold ground with only a thin blanket for comfort, Adam found his thoughts racing.
"Why are they after us?" he whispered to himself.
Adam turned his phone over, its glow lighting up his face. "Do you think they're connected to the temple?"
"Comforting," Adam muttered.
Adam sighed, closing his eyes. Despite the unease gnawing at him, exhaustion eventually won, pulling him into a restless sleep.
He awoke to Henry shaking his shoulder. The first light of dawn filtered through the trees, bathing the forest in a golden hue.
"Time to move," Henry said simply.
Adam groaned, sitting up. "How do you do this every day?"
"You get used to it," Henry replied, packing up their camp with practiced efficiency.
Adam glared at the phone. "Not in the mood, okay?"
Henry smirked as he strapped on his pack. "That thing's got a personality, doesn't it?"
"You have no idea," Adam replied, stuffing his phone into his pocket.
The day's journey was grueling. The forest grew denser, the path steeper, and the air colder as they ascended into the hills. They spoke little, conserving their energy, but the tension between them was palpable.
By mid-afternoon, they reached a rocky outcrop overlooking a vast valley. In the distance, a massive structure loomed—a temple carved into the side of a mountain, its ornate facade partially obscured by vines and moss.
"That's it," Henry said, his voice low.
Adam stared in awe. "It's huge."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Adam muttered.
Henry studied the terrain. "Getting there won't be easy. The valley's too exposed. If those guys are still following us, they'll spot us for sure."
"Can't we go around?" Adam asked.
Henry shook his head. "Too much ground to cover. We'd lose a day at least."
Adam considered the suggestion. "What if we made it look like we went one way, but actually went another?"
Henry glanced at him. "What do you have in mind?"
An hour later, they were crouched near a stream, laying out their plan. Using a combination of footprints, broken branches, and strategically placed items, they created a false trail leading into a densely wooded area.
"If they're following us, they'll take the bait," Henry said, stepping back to survey their work.
"And if they don't?" Adam asked.
Henry shrugged. "Then we fight."
Adam rolled his eyes. "You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"
Adam didn't find that particularly reassuring.
By the time they reached the edge of the valley, the sun was setting, casting long shadows across the landscape. The temple loomed larger now, its details more distinct. Intricate carvings adorned its facade, depicting scenes of battles, rituals, and celestial phenomena.
"Think we'll find what we're looking for in there?" Adam asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Henry's expression was unreadable. "We'll find something. Whether it's what we're looking for, I can't say."
Adam felt a knot tighten in his stomach. He had a feeling that whatever lay inside the temple would be far more dangerous than anything they'd faced so far.
End of Chapter 20