Chapter 9: Grotesque Parody
The thing that had moved was nothing more than a scavenger bird—massive and sinister. Its talons were soaked in dried blood, and it emerged from the mist with a raspy cry, beating its wings heavily before disappearing into the shadows.
Dylan's heart skipped a beat. If he hadn't been so observant, he probably would've shot.
But that detail made him realize something important.
If that bird came from that direction... then maybe the creature they were trying to avoid wasn't nearby.
He exchanged a glance with Maggie, who seemed to come to the same conclusion.
"We're not tempting fate," she whispered.
Dylan nodded and took the first step. This time, they didn't bother being careful.
They ran.
The ground was treacherous, littered with broken bones and twisted roots, but they didn't slow down. The fog seemed determined to engulf them, and each step echoed strangely in that cursed forest.
The silence was deafening.
Too deafening.