UNKNOWN PEOPLE IN THE DARK 

The tension became thicker by the second, and the woodland felt oppressive. With his knife still shining through the blood and muck that covered him, the successor entered the clearing with a chilly grin on his face. His piercing eyes darted to Ethan, who was leaning against a tree, and then to me, who was standing between them, my body shaking but unyielding.

His voice was as sweet as it was poisonous when he said, "Olivia, you're persistent." "But you won't be saved by perseverance."

With my knuckles white against the rough bark, I clenched my fingers around the branch I had just picked up. Ethan moaned softly behind me, but I felt a tremendous surge of energy when I heard him.

Despite the fear tearing at my gut, I repeated firmly, "Don't come any closer."

The replacement grinned more broadly and cocked his head. "And with that stick, what are you going to do exactly?"