The fire crackled, its warm glow pushing back the suffocating dark of the forest night.
Arlo and Tessa stood ready, tense as bowstrings. Arlo's sword glinted in the firelight, steady though his grip was slick with sweat. Beside him, Tessa held her dagger with confidence, every inch of her posture screaming readiness.
The bushes rustled again.
Arlo's voice was tight. "Whatever comes out of there, we cut first and ask questions later."
Tessa shook her head. "No. We see what it is before we do anything reckless."
The branches parted—
And out stumbled a girl.
She nearly tripped over a root, caught herself with a graceless hop, then threw up her hands like a thief caught red-handed. Her short brown hair was messy, her rogue-like attire covered in leaves and dirt, and yet she still managed a smirk.
"Okay, okay—don't stab me," she said, palms wide. "I'm not a monster. I come in peace."
Arlo didn't lower his sword. "You jump out of bushes at night, you feel like a monster."
Tessa's eyes narrowed. "Who are you? And what are you doing out here?"
The girl grinned sheepishly. "Name's Sari. Professional... let's say survivor. As for what I'm doing out here..." She rubbed the back of her neck. "Uh. Running away. From... people. Who want money. From me."
Arlo blinked. "...Debt collectors?"
"Bingo." She snapped her fingers. "Aren't you a smart one."
Tessa raised an eyebrow. "You're saying you've been wandering the forest because you were fleeing debt?"
"Wandering, lost, starving, maybe crying a little," Sari admitted casually. "Saw your campfire, thought—hey, light! Warmth! Maybe food! Maybe not getting eaten by wolves tonight! So... here I am."
Tessa didn't lower her dagger. "Convenient."
"Suspicious," Arlo muttered.
"Understandable," Sari said with a shrug. "Honestly, I'd be suspicious of me too."
The silence stretched, filled only by the pop of burning wood.
Finally, Arlo scowled. "You could be lying."
"True," Sari said cheerfully. "But if I were lying, wouldn't I have come up with a cooler story than 'lost in the woods because I owe money to very scary men'? That's hardly flattering."
Tessa's expression softened—slightly. She lowered her dagger just a fraction. "What debt?"
"Long story. Bad bets, worse luck. Let's just say: I don't gamble anymore."
Arlo raised his sword again. "Oh, good. A gambler. Just what we need—another financial disaster magnet."
Sari squinted at him, then smirked. "And what are you, exactly?"
"I'm her unpaid intern," Arlo said flatly, jerking a thumb at Tessa.
Sari blinked. Then she burst out laughing. "Oh my gods. Unpaid? No wonder you look like someone who's one missed meal away from passing out."
Tessa pressed her lips together, clearly trying not to laugh.
Arlo turned red. "That's not—! I'm perfectly capable!"
"Sure, sure," Sari said with a smirk. "Let me guess you've been sold as a slave and now you're this lady's luggage boy?."
Tessa lost it then, chuckling into her hand. "Worse! He lost a game of rock, paper, and scissors to me."
Arlo groaned. "Why do I keep attracting these people..."
"Well, birds of a feather flock together," Sari quipped. "So, it seems, you and I my dear boy have a lot in common."
Tessa finally sheathed her dagger, though her gaze was still sharp. "Very well. But understand this—if you mean to stay, you follow our rules. Try anything foolish, and you won't live to regret it."
Sari bowed dramatically. "Wouldn't dream of it, Boss."
Arlo muttered, "We're doomed."
Before Sari could retort, the forest reminded them why they'd been tense in the first place.
A low, guttural growl rolled through the darkness, shaking the air like distant thunder.
All three froze.
"...Okay," Sari whispered, grin faltering. "That one wasn't me."
Arlo snapped his sword back up. "Perfect. The universe heard me complain, and it sent reinforcements."
Tessa took a measured step forward, eyes on the treeline. "It's close."
The ground vibrated with heavy, deliberate footsteps. Branches cracked. Shadows shifted.
Sari leaned closer to Arlo, smirk returning—though tighter now. "Well. Guess we'll find out if your intern experience includes monster repellent."
The treeline shuddered. Something massive moved within, its presence suffocating.
The firelight flickered.
And then—