15

Deep in the forest, Jordan struggled to carry Alex while following Brooke to a hidden cave. He brutally laid Alex on the ground before collapsing beside him, breathing heavily. Brooke examined Alex's wounds, horrified by the gashes on his back and head, with blood dripping onto the cold rock from the metal shards embedded in his flesh.

Though Jordan couldn't see Brooke's expression, he could tell from her breathing how worried she was about Alex.

"Brookie, are you sure you and Alex are just friends?"

Brooke, annoyed, started breathing even heavier, scaring Jordan into silence. He quickly moved to the cave entrance, gathering large branches to make a bed.

Suddenly, the buzzing of drones returned, prompting Jordan to block the entrance with branches.

In the dark, Brooke carefully removed the metal fragments from Alex's wounds and used pieces of her skirt to bandage him. Her eyes had barely dried from tears as she remembered how Alex had turned to protect her, feeling both pained and touched.

As dawn broke, a cool mist spread through the forest, carrying the scent of damp earth. Alex remained unconscious, but at least his bandages held. Brooke, exhausted and scared, decided to find water.

Jordan insisted on accompanying her, not trusting the perilous forest. Glancing at her torn, revealing outfit, he sighed, taking off his jacket to give to her. Brooke hesitated, then accepted it with thanks.

Jordan wasn't a bad person; she just didn't feel much for him. Plus, his history with many girlfriends made her wary.

Following the sound of trickling water, they carefully navigated through the underbrush until they found a clear stream. Morning light filtered through the leaves, creating a serene, beautiful scene, though Brooke's anxiety remained, sensing unease in the air.

"You find something to hold the water, I'll check for danger," Jordan whispered, scanning the area before disappearing behind a large tree.

Brooke nodded and looked around, finally finding a few large leaves. She deftly folded them into simple cone-shaped containers and carefully scooped up the fresh water. Just as she was about to stand up, a strange chill ran down her spine.

The forest had fallen eerily silent—no birds, no insects.

Through the morning mist, a flash of red flitted by.

Brooke recalled the village grandmothers' ghost stories about the forest, pushing her fear aside. She turned swiftly, clutching the water tightly, and hurried back to the cave.

In the forest behind her, a woman emerged, wearing a blood-red dress, as if dipped in crimson dye. Her lips curved into an eerie smile, her eyes deep and unfathomable, as if peering into one's very soul. She moved soundlessly, exuding an invisible pressure.

She was Lord Gong, a demon general known for her mind games.

The red-dressed woman whispered in Brooke's direction,"Don't be afraid... I just want to help." Her smile grew more sinister.

Brooke panted as she reached the cave, slowing her pace as she heard voices arguing inside.

"You're a monk! Why do you have feelings for Brookie?" Jordan's voice was full of anger.

"I'm not a monk yet, why can't I like a girl?" Alex's voice was weak but unwavering.

Jordan sneered,"Brooke loves art and painting. Do you want her to spend her life stuck in a monastery? Monks can't marry, you know!"

Alex paused before replying,"Can't I leave the monastery?"

Jordan scoffed,"A broke guy like you, living in a big city? What will you do, juggle spears on the street? Do you expect her to suffer with you forever?"

Alex's fist clenched,"Is money more important than love? Brookie can decide her future, not you."

Jordan snorted,"Love? Can you eat love? She worked hard to get into art school, not to burn incense with you! How will you support her dreams? Will she give up everything to live a hard life with you?"

Alex took a deep breath,"I won't let her give up her dreams. I can work hard, find a job in the city, I'm not afraid of hardship."

Jordan sneered,"Don't be naive. Do you think you can easily fit into city life? She needs someone who can support and understand her, not an uncertain 'monk.'"

A long silence followed.

Brooke was about to step inside when she heard a horrifying scream—

"Squelch!"

Her heart skipped a beat, and she hurried to the entrance, witnessing a chilling scene—

Alex was covered in blood, his short spear plunged into Jordan's stomach!

"Why? Because I've got the spear!" Alex's eyes were bloodshot, his expression wild. "I like a girl, and you dare to get in my way!"

Jordan lay on the ground in agony, but Alex didn't stop. He repeatedly stabbed with his spear until Jordan lay completely still, blood spraying everywhere.

Brooke, horrified, covered her mouth. The makeshift water container slipped from her hands, and the cold spring water soaked her clothes. Logic told her to run, but her legs felt like lead.

Trembling, she slowly backed away before turning and sprinting towards the temple. Her heart pounded, fear overwhelming her—Alex, who seemed so honest and shy, was actually a complete madman! A murderer!

-----------------

Alex took a deep breath, waking from a long dream to see Brooke crouched before him.

"Alex, drink some water."

He groaned, struggling to open his eyes. Through the blur, he saw Brooke carefully pouring clear spring water into his mouth, her movements gentle and patient. The cold water soothed his parched throat, making him feel slightly better.

"Thank you, Brookie…" His voice was still raspy, but a warmth filled his heart.

Brooke smiled softly, her eyes crinkling like ripples on a morning lake."It's nothing; we're classmates."

Alex paused, a strange emotion stirring inside him. Before he could speak, a familiar voice came from the entrance.

"Brookie, you're tired. Rest a bit. I'll take care of Alex."

Jordan walked in, tall and confident, casually placing a hand on Brooke's shoulder as if they were just chatting. He casually mentioned,"After this, Brookie and I are transferring to a big city."

The air seemed to freeze. Alex's eyes fixed on Brooke. She didn't deny it. Instead, her eyes sparkled with pure, unreserved longing.

"Yes, I've always wanted to go to the city but never had the chance." Brooke's voice was gentle and full of hope, her gaze shifting to Jordan with gratitude and trust."Thanks to Jordan, I got into the top art school. I finally have a chance to see those artworks in person. Maybe I'll even meet some great artists!"

Alex's heart felt like an invisible hand had squeezed it, mixing sorrow, disappointment, anger, and helplessness. He wanted to speak but found his throat too tight. Finally, he forced a smile, his voice barely audible:

"That's… great. I can't wait to meet a great artist and a successful businessman."

He tried to sound casual, but his fingers unconsciously gripped the fabric beneath him, as if holding onto a fading memory.

-----------------

In the dense forest, Jordan adjusted his trousers, feeling relaxed as he emerged from behind a tree. He hurried to the stream, cupping his hands to wash the dirt off. The breeze rustled the treetops, and sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating shimmering patterns on the water. He straightened up, looking around for Brooke.

"Brooke?" he called softly, but there was no response.

As he was about to follow the stream, he heard familiar voices nearby. Holding his breath, he listened closely. It was Alex and Brooke, speaking softly and intimately by the river. He considered moving closer but froze when he heard their conversation.

"I've wanted to tell you for a long time, Brookie," Alex's voice was low and nervous."I... I like you, have for a while."

The air seemed to freeze, and Jordan's heartbeat quickened. He heard Brooke take a small breath and then softly say,"Alex, I've had the same feelings for a long time too."

Jordan stood in the shadows, fingers unconsciously gripping his clothes. He was about to step forward but stopped, feeling like an intruder in a story that wasn't his.

The two stood by the river, emotions clear in their eyes. Sunlight fell between them, the breeze gently moving Brooke's hair. Alex reached out, hesitating to touch her.

Jordan felt a heaviness in his chest, as if something was blocking his throat. He lowered his head and stepped back quietly, the sound of his shoes on the leaves barely audible. He suddenly felt like an unwelcome observer.

He walked away, lost and unsure where to go, drifting back toward the cave.

But what was the point of going back?

Hiding in the cave alone?

For how long?

His whole life?

He was young and handsome, was he really going to give up the whole forest for one tree?

By the time he reached the cave, he had resolved part of his internal conflict.

Was it all real, or was someone controlling their fate?

In the depths of the forest, the red figure watched everything unfold, a meaningful smile on her lips...

Her voice was soft and seductive, filled with an unnatural allure. The woman in the red dress stepped forward slowly, the air around her seeming to freeze in time as she moved.