The group slowly raised their heads.Above them, shapes began to emerge from the canopy.
Monkeys,not normal ones.They had wings,long razor-sharp claws.
The group instinctively backed up until their backs faced the open field,just as a distant roar echoed behind them.
The wyvern.
They froze caught between two dangers, none of them knew what to do.
"What do we do?" one of the girls asked, her voice trembling.
They couldn't run into the open field—the wyvern was still out there, but staying meant facing the creatures above them.
The winged monkeys bared their fangs and began descending from the trees.
Jake quickly grabbed a thick stick from the ground and stepped forward.
"Everyone stay behind me!"
"We should make a run for it!" the bespectacled boy suggested, glancing nervously at the creatures.
"We can't—they're everywhere!" one of the girls shouted, panic rising in her voice.
The group began to break formation.
That was all it took,one of the monkeys lunged.Its claws aimed straight for Nurse Rachel.
Jake reacted instantly,swinging the stick with all his strength—
CRACK!
The blow struck the creature mid-air, sending it crashing back into the others.
For a split second—an opening appeared.
James didn't hesitate, grabbing Emily's hand and bolted.
"There—run!"
The others followed immediately, sprinting after them.
By the time the monkeys regained their balance, the group had already created distance.
Seeing their injured companion, the creatures shrieked,and flew into a rage.
The creatures chased after them, howling.
Some took to the air.Others leapt between trees, keeping pace effortlessly.
James's group ran deeper into the forest, not even realizing how far they had gone.
"I'm tired… I can't run anymore!" one of the girls cried, collapsing to the ground.
"Don't say that! Come on, we have to go!" the other girl urged, panic rising in her voice as she glanced back.
The rest of the group slowed.Nurse Rachel stepped forward, her eyes darting between the girls and the forest behind them.
"Listen, it'll be okay. We just have to keep moving."
The girl shook violently.
"No! I can't take it anymore!"
Her eyes widened in desperation.
"Maybe… maybe it's all a dream… maybe we're just dreaming…"
"Can't you see what's happening?!" the boy with glasses snapped. "A wyvern, flying monkeys, the bus—how is this a dream? You're going to get us killed!"
Jake stood to the side, gripping his stick tightly, veins bulging in his arms, his eyes bloodshot with frustration.
"Damn it…"
He stepped forward,but a hand stopped him.
James.
"We should leave her."
Jake turned, shock flashing across his face.
Emily immediately stepped in, yanking her arm free from James's grip.
"What are you saying?!" she snapped. "We can't just leave her!"
James exhaled slowly.
"It's either we leave her… or we all die."
"And you think that's okay?!"
"I'm not saying it's right," he said, his voice tight. "But if we stay, we die."
Emily turned sharply to Jake.
"What do you think?"
Jake hesitated,he sighed.
"He's right."
His grip on the stick loosened.
"If she won't move… we leave."
Emily stared at both of them in disbelief.
"You can't be serious…"
Anger flared in her eyes as she turned and rushed back to the girls.
"Fine! Then go—I'll help her!"
"Emily, wait—!" James called out.
She stopped suddenly,her shoulders trembled.Then—
A scream tore through the forest.Everyone turned,the collapsed girl's body stood still, her head gone.
A winged monkey stood behind her, blood dripping from its claws.
The second girl stumbled back in horror, screaming.
"Run!" Jake shouted, shoving Emily back.
The group turned and fled again,as they ran, James glanced back and froze.
The second girl hadn't moved,she just sat there motionless.
"What are you doing?!" he shouted.
The others turned as well. The monkeys weren't chasing,they were surrounding her.
"Run! Hey—!" the boy with glasses called out— the creatures turned toward him in unison.
He immediately fell silent.
The group stood frozen as the circle tightened.
"Why isn't she moving?" Emily whispered, shaking in Jake's arms.
"I… don't know," Jake replied grimly.
James watched them for a brief moment.
The way she clung to Jake…Something twisted in his chest.
He looked away.
"Wait… look at the one in the middle."
The others focused.
One of the monkeys was different form the others, an eye sat on its forehead—Swirling with purple mist.
It was fixed directly on the girl.
"That one…" James said quietly. "It's controlling her."
Before anyone could react, the three-eyed monkey moved.
Its claws flashed.
The girl's throat was slit instantly,blood poured out as she collapsed, her eyes regaining clarity for a brief moment.
She looked toward them her lips moved struggling but no sound came.
Then she fell still.
Emily broke down in tears. The others turned away.
Only James kept watching as the monkeys dragged the body back into the forest.
"We need to go," James said quietly.
The three-eyed monkey was staring at them.
Without another word, the group turned and ran. The creature watched them leave…
Then turned back to its pack.
Unnoticed by the fleeing group—
Two figures stood hidden within the shadows, silently observing everything that had just transpired.
"It's about time we step in," a feminine voice said softly.
"No."
The second voice was deep and calm.
"We wait. We observe."
A pause followed.
"But at this rate… they'll die," she said.
"Then so be it," the voice replied coldly.
"If they can't survive this…"
"They don't deserve to live in this world."
Silence lingered between them.
"…Fine."
The shadows shifted, the two figures moved, silently following the group from afar.
—J—-
The group moved cautiously through the forest.They didn't know how far they had traveled—or how long they could keep going.
They had to find a way out… but finding safety came first.
Jake led at the front, alert and focused.
Emily stayed close to James, unusually quiet, her head lowered as she walked.
Behind them, Nurse Rachel and the bespectacled boy followed.
"How are you holding up?" Rachel asked, noticing his trembling hands and the sweat on his forehead.
He looked down at his hands before quickly looking away.
"Not really well," he admitted, adjusting his glasses. "This sudden change is… scary. But also kind of exciting."
Rachel raised an eyebrow.
"Exciting?"
"Don't get me wrong—the deaths were horrible," he said quickly. "But the monsters… they're like something out of games and novels. I've spent so much time playing games, and now I'm actually seeing them. It's… exciting. And terrifying."
"Oh," Rachel said with a small smile. "You're one of those."
"One of those?" he asked, confused. "And… you don't seem that scared."
Rachel shrugged lightly.
"The nerds. My son's the same—always playing games."
She glanced ahead before continuing.
"As for fear…. I've seen people die before. Staying calm is part of the job."
"Wait…. are you a cop or something?" he asked uncertainly.
Rachel laughed.
"Goodness, no. Just a nurse."
She looked at him kindly.
"What's your name, kid?"
"Van. Van Woods."
"Alright, Van. I'm Rachel—Nurse Rachel."
She gave him a reassuring smile.
"Try to stay calm. It helps you think."
"Thanks, Miss Rachel."
She nodded.
Suddenly—
"Emily!"
James's voice cut through the forest.
Both of them rushed forward, Emily was on the ground.