A STRANGER IN THE WOODS

As we prepared to rest, the weight of the journey settling over us, a scream pierced the air—a high, desperate cry filled with fear.

Merlin was on his feet in an instant, his eyes sharp and focused. "Did you hear that?" he asked, his voice tight.

I nodded, the sound still echoing in my ears. The scream was distant, but unmistakable. A girl's voice—no, not just any girl—one full of terror.

Without thinking, I stood up, my pulse quickening. "We have to go!"

Merlin gripped my arm before I could take a step. "Wait," he warned, his eyes narrowing as he listened. "This could be a trap."

I didn't care. "Someone's in trouble. We can't just sit here."

The scream came again, closer this time, sharp and piercing. Merlin hesitated for only a moment before releasing my arm. "Stay close, Leo. The danger is not just from wolves."

We moved swiftly, our boots crunching the forest floor beneath us, our breaths visible in the cool air. The trees parted, and ahead, I saw a figure—she was running, her dark hair streaming behind her as she stumbled through the underbrush. Her face was pale with fear, her eyes wide with panic.

The wolves. I could hear them too—the low growls, the snapping of teeth. They were closing in on her.

I didn't hesitate this time. The fire within me surged as I rushed forward, the mark on my hand blazing with heat. The first wolf lunged at the girl, but I was faster. A burst of flame erupted from my hand, striking the creature square in the chest. It yelped and crumpled to the ground, its charred body dissolving into ash.

But there were more. Four, no, five wolves circled us now, their eyes glowing red, hunger evident in their twisted forms. The girl gasped, stumbling backward into the safety of the trees.

"Stay behind me!" I shouted, my voice rough with urgency.

Merlin raised his staff, muttering something under his breath as the air around him shimmered with energy. "Get ready, Leo," he said, his voice steady even in the chaos. "This is no ordinary pack."

I wasn't listening to him anymore. The fire roared in my veins, the heat making the air shimmer as I stepped forward, fists raised, flames licking at my knuckles.

The first wolf charged at me, its claws extended, but I was ready. I threw a punch, the blaze from my hand engulfing it. It screeched, falling to the side as the fire consumed it. But there was no time to celebrate.

The others were closing in fast. I moved quickly, each strike fueled by the fury of my flame, each wolf falling in a haze of fire and ash.

"Leo, be careful!" Merlin called, but I barely heard him. The adrenaline, the heat, the power—it all surged through me like a wild storm.

Another wolf lunged, and this time, I didn't hesitate. I slammed my fist into its skull, the flames scorching its fur before it fell to the ground, lifeless.

There were only two left. They circled, their eyes narrowing as they assessed me. One leaped at me, but I was ready—my leg shot out, a fiery arc of flame trailing my movements. The creature yelped, crashing into the dirt, unable to recover from the blow.

The last wolf hesitated. It growled, its eyes flickering between me and the girl. I took a step forward, my body tense, ready for the final strike. But before I could make a move, the creature turned and fled into the darkness.

Silence filled the clearing, broken only by the crackle of dying embers. I stood there, chest heaving, my hands still trembling from the exertion.

The girl, still standing at the edge of the trees, looked at me with wide eyes. She was terrified—her chest rising and falling rapidly, her face pale even if she was wearinga hood.

I stepped forward cautiously, lowering my fists. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, her voice shaky as she spoke. "I—I think so. Thank you."

Merlin approached, his eyes scanning her with a mixture of caution and curiosity. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice steady, though there was a hint of something unfamiliar in his gaze—something I couldn't place.

The girl hesitated, her eyes flickering nervously between Merlin and me. She looked down, as if considering her words carefully, before she spoke in a soft voice, barely above a whisper. "I... I don't know. I... I don't remember anything."

Her face flushed with discomfort, and I could tell she was holding something back. She avoided looking directly at either of us, her body language stiff and defensive.

Merlin's brow furrowed, but he kept his tone gentle. "You don't remember anything?"

Aria shook her head, her gaze darting to the ground. "No... I just woke up here. I don't... I don't know who I am, or where I came from."

I could sense the fear in her words—fear of the unknown, fear of being judged. I took a cautious step toward her, trying to offer reassurance. "It's okay. You're safe now."

Aria flinched at the sound of my voice, her shoulders stiffening. She quickly took a step back, as if uncertain of how to react. Her lips trembled, and I could see she was barely holding herself together.

Merlin studied her quietly, the air around him heavy with unspoken thoughts. "We don't know what's going on, but you should come with us. It's safer, especially in these woods."

Aria hesitated. She glanced at the ground again, her hands trembling at her sides. After a long moment of silence, she nodded, her voice barely audible. "I... I'll come. It's better than being alone."

Merlin gave a curt nod. "Stay close, then."

The forest looked dangerous so we continued with the journey, I couldn't shake the feeling that Aria was hiding something. There was a depth to her hesitation, an undercurrent of fear, that told me she wasn't just lost—there was something more.

But for now, I said nothing. She was with us, and for the moment, that was enough.

END OF CHAPTER.