I closed my eyes briefly. I needed this moment of relaxation.I heard something then. A strange sound that sounded like static, like the type of sound that a radio would make. But there was no technology in this world from what I could tell.Cal suddenly grabbed my waist."We have to hide! Now!" He snapped quietly, pulling me behind the waterfall ruthlessly.I was confused. What was going on and what was that awful noise?!The static was becoming louder now. I was about to speak but Cal clamped his hand over my mouth, muting any sound I could have made.I could feel his heart beating uncontrollably in fear as my back was pressed against his chest.I was terrified.Though hazy through the waterfall I was able to make out a figure walking around the perimeter of the pond. It didn't have any definite shape or form but seemed to take on a humanoid appearance though it looked midnight black, and no face from what I could see.It slowly walked around the lake, I could hear a distant growling sound coming from its direction, it was whispery but still loud enough I could hear it from where I was.It started creeping closer to the waterfall. We were silent, not daring to make a sound. It seemed to hesitate for a moment, pausing while walking around the perimeter of the lake. It made a screeching noise louder than anything I had ever heard a creature sound like, and it ran into the forest, the leaves and trees rusting as it ranMe and Cal didn't move. I could still hear his heart beating furiously and I knew mine was doing the same. Even though the creature was gone, Cal still had me pressed closely to him, his hand still covering my mouth. I didn't say anything. After a few minutes Cal's grip on me finally loosened. He let out a shuddering sigh."Fuck! That was way too close." he exclaimed."What the hell was that?!" I snapped, still terrified.He paused for a moment before continuing. "It was a shadow being, as we call them, they are incredibly dangerous, they could easily kill someone if they so pleased. I've never seen one this close to the city, they're usually farther out into more remote areas of the forest. Damn it, I was so worried for you."Me? "What about you?" I asked."O-oh, yeah obviously" he snapped quickly. "Well anyway we need to get back, it's not safe out here if the shadows have gotten this far."He quickly flew us off into the distance, flying much quicker now, back to the castle.These shadows, I wondered how long it would take them to find their way into the city, if they had made it so far into the forest like Cal had said, I didn't know how much longer this city had left.