The Shattering of Innocence

The night was eerily quiet, save for the soft rustling of leaves under the cold wind.

They were moving through the outskirts of the village.

The village was situated near the border of human territory.

Zareth didn't know why, but a strange unease settled in his chest.

Maybe it was the silence, the unnatural stillness of a place that should have been brimming with life.

Then—

"AHHHHHH! PLEASE, SOMEBODY SAVE ME!"

The scream shattered the quiet.

It wasn't just a cry of pain—it was raw, desperate.

The kind of sound that only came from someone who knew death was moments away.

Zareth's heart pounded in his chest. He turned to Ed, only to find the other boy already looking ahead, his face unreadable. His eyes reflected the flickering light of distant flames.

They moved faster now. The scent of burning wood grew stronger.

No—this wasn't just wood. It was flesh.

Then they saw it.