Huff… Huff… ha… ha…
(Running at full speed)
Suddenly a rock came from nowhere.
Thud!.(Fall on knees)
"Ah!... Ouch!" – The silver-haired girl gasped in pain.
Her leg was badly injured, and she could barely stand.
A dangerous, exotic creature charged towards her, its predatory gaze fixed on her.
"No… no… no!"
"Aaaaaaa!"
Swish!. (The sound of a dagger slicing through the air)
Thwack!
The silver-haired girl gasped.
"Huh?!"
The red-haired girl stepped forward.
"That was close!"
"Are you okay? Let me help you up. Here you go."
The silver-haired girl, still in shock, mumbled,
"Thank you…"
The red-haired girl smiled gently.
"No problem. That's what a team is for. When one of us is in danger, we protect each other. We don't leave anyone behind, right?"
The chestnut-haired girl chimed in,
"Yes! She's absolutely right!"
"Now, let's go! – The red-haired girl took the lead.
"Wait!" The silver-haired girl protested, her voice weak.
"You should leave me… My leg is injured. I'll only slow you down."
The chestnut-haired girl turned sharply, eyes blazing.
"What the hell are you saying? How can we let you go?!"
"Yeah, what nonsense are you blabbering?" – The blonde-haired girl added, her voice firm.
The silver-haired girl shook her head, her voice trembling.
"Look at me... I can barely stand. How can I even run? I'll just slow everyone down. In the end, I'll fall and—"
"That doesn't mean we'll let you stay behind and be devoured by these demonic creatures!" – The black-haired girl snapped.
"Yes, she's absolutely right! We won't let you be eaten by them!" – The blonde-haired girl reinforced.
The silver-haired girl, tears welling up, whispered,
"But… I'll just be a burden. I'm clumsy… I always drag you all into trouble. I can't do anything right, and I'm not useful to the team—"
"Stop!" – The chestnut-haired girl's voice was stern.
"Look, we're a team. And in this team, we take care of each other. When one of us is in trouble, we step up. We help. Like sisters."
"Even if you are…" – The blonde-haired girl teased with a soft smile.
"Clumsy…" – The black-haired girl added with a playful grin.
"Innocent or…" – The chestnut-haired girl nudged her gently.
"Kind, silly, or whatever!"
The red-haired girl smiled warmly.
"We're a team. And without you, our team wouldn't be the same. Our brightness, our bond, our silliness, our emotions—everything would be empty without you."
All together, they shouted,
"We're unstoppable together!"
The silver-haired girl, now in tears, whispered,
"You all make me feel so special…"
Her voice cracked as emotions overwhelmed her. The others, seeing her vulnerability, immediately pulled her into a comforting group hug.
"GRRAAAHH!"– screaming of flying demons.
The blonde-haired girl snapped back to reality.
"Guys, look! It's not the time to be emotional!"
"RUN!" – All five shouted in unison.
They carried the silver-haired girl and rushed toward the exit, but suddenly—
"CRASH… THUD!!"
The chestnut-haired girl gasped.
"What the…!?"
A huge wall made of silver looking bricks came from nowhere and blocked the exit.
"Where did this wall come from!?" – The blonde-haired girl's voice echoed through the darkness.
The red-haired girl, eyes scanning the surroundings, spoke quickly.
"Now's not the time to be surprised. We need to find another way!"
"Yes, she's right!" – The black-haired girl nodded in agreement.
"GWAHHHH!!!"
The blonde-haired girl was annoyed and gritted her teeth.
"Here we go again!"
"Run!" – All five shouted, taking another path and finding temporary refuge—or so they thought.
[A moment later, after a brief respite…]
The red-haired girl, catching her breath, spoke.
"I think this place is safe for a moment. Let's tend to her wounds. Someone, get the first-aid kit."
"Understood!" – The blonde-haired girl quickly responded, scanning through their belongings.
"Give it to me. I'll handle it. I'm the one with medical expertise." – The black-haired girl stepped forward, her tone calm but focused.
"Got it. Here you go." – The blonde-haired girl handed over the kit.
The black-haired girl worked quickly, her hands steady despite the adrenaline.
"Almost done… and… DONE!"
"Thank you…" – The silver-haired girl spoke softly, her voice filled with gratitude.
"No problem!" – The black-haired girl smiled reassuringly.
The red-haired girl nodded.
"Great job."
"Mention not… hehe!" – The black-haired girl grinned, lightening the mood.
[But something was bothering the red-haired girl…]
Hmm…? – Her mind was restless.
"We came here for a vacation… so how did we end up in this nightmare?"
The chestnut-haired girl noticed her distant look.
"A penny for your thoughts?"
"Huh?" – The red-haired girl blinked, snapping out of her deep thoughts.
"You've been spacing out. I was wondering what's going on in that head of yours?" – The chestnut-haired girl teased gently.
"Oh… I was just thinking… We were supposed to be on a vacation, but somehow… it feels like we've been lured into a trap. Don't you think?"
The black-haired girl furrowed her brows.
"Now that you mention it… yeah. We were supposed to relax and enjoy, but instead, we're fighting for our lives against those creatures."
"Exactly!" – The blonde-haired girl chimed in, her expression serious.
"Our boss gave us this break… but something about it didn't sit right with me from the start."
[Flashback to the award ceremony…]
"The team that successfully completed all Nine thrilling missions is… the six tremendous junior members of…"
(In the next chapter, their team name will be revealed.)
"Huh?" – All six girls exchanged confused looks, trying to process the announcement.
They looked at each other, confused for a moment before realizing—
"We… won?"
"YEAHHHHH!"
"WE WON!"
"Congratulations! Please come to the stage to receive your reward: a one-week break package, including vacation tickets to the mysterious 'Shadowbrook Forest'! Your accommodations, supplies, and expenses will all be covered."
"Shadowbrook Forest…?" – The silver-haired girl murmured, a hint of curiosity and unease in her voice.
[Back to the present…]
The red-haired girl pieced it together.
"I knew something was off… but I ignored it."
"What do you mean?" – The silver-haired girl asked softly, concern in her eyes.
"We're not on a vacation… We're on a…" – The red-haired girl's voice was barely above a whisper.
"Mis-sion."- Whispered the red-haired girl.
"What?" – The other four were confused.
"Our boss sent us here…"
"What!, but why?" – The blonde-haired girl's voice was laced with disbelief.
"Because…" – The red-haired girl hesitated, her mind racing.
They all held their breath.
"We're on a….. F**KING MISSION!"
"WHAT?!" – Wide-eyed, all four girls were shocked.
—TO BE CONTINUED—
[ SPOILER FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER!: Next meet the indomitable squad — their names, quirks and hidden secrets + other characters ]