Chapter 4

*Dust*

 I stand in the clearing, my heart pounding like a war drum in my chest, the silence around me feeling heavy and oppressive. The moonlight spills across the ground like silver, illuminating the jagged edges of the landscape but casting long shadows that twist and stretch, taunting me with the unknown. River promised he would return soon, but with every passing second, fear coils around my heart like a vine, squeezing tighter.

 “Nothing is coming for you, no one but River knows you are here,” I whisper to myself, forcing the words out through trembling lips. “It’s just the wind.” The trees sway gently, their leaves rustling softly, and I cling to that sound, desperate to drown out the echoes of the battle still raging in my mind.

 But then, a distant crack of a twig snaps through the air, sharp and clear. My breath catches; instincts scream at me to run, to hide deeper into the shadows. I strain my ears, listening intently, telling myself it’s nothing, just an animal wandering through the woods. But the sound comes again, closer this time, and my heart races anew.

 A sound I can’t quite figure out drifts on the wind, a soft whisper that sends chills racing down my spine. I glance around, searching the treeline for any sign of River. But the shadows remain still, and the howling wind offers no comfort.

 Then I hear it… a low growl, deep and primal. My blood runs cold as I realize this growl is not coming from River. It’s coming from something darker, something feral. Panic grips me as I catch a glimpse of movement in the shadows. A figure emerges, stumbling through the trees, half-transformed and dripping with dirt and grime. Its eyes gleam with a wild madness, a feral hunger that sends a jolt of terror through my veins.

 “No! No!” I gasp, stumbling back as the horrifying reality sinks in. A rogue. A creature lost to the wild, driven mad by instincts. As he steps into the moonlight, I can see patches of fur sprouting from his skin, sharp teeth bared in a twisted grin. It’s a sight that turns my stomach.

 I tell myself to run, to find safety, but my feet feel rooted to the ground, paralyzed by fear. The rogue’s gaze locks onto mine, and I can see the glint of madness dancing in his eyes. He steps forward, muscles taut and ready to pounce. “Dinner,” he snarls, the word dripping with primal hunger.

 Adrenaline surges through me, breaking the spell of fear. I spin on my heel, sprinting deeper into the woods, branches clawing at my skin, but I can hear his footsteps behind me, heavy and relentless. My heart hammers against my ribs, lungs burning, desperate to escape the monster hunting me.

 He’s faster; I can hear him gaining ground. In a moment of sheer panic, I glance back over my shoulder. His eyes are wild, a mix of feral anticipation and crazed hunger. I stumble, my foot catching on a root, and the world tilts as I crash to the ground. Pain radiates through my knee, but I don’t stop; I scramble back to my feet, the rogue’s growl echoing in my ears.

 “Help!” I scream, my voice cracking as I dash through the trees. But no one is here to hear me, no River to protect me from this nightmare. I can feel the rogue closing in, his stench heavy and vile polluting the fresh night air.

 Then, out of nowhere, he lunges. I barely have time to react as he crashes into me, sending us both sprawling to the ground. He’s on me in an instant, clawed hands gripping my shoulders, his breath hot and rancid against my face. I can see the twisted grin on his lips, and my stomach churns.

 With a surge of adrenaline, I kick out, my foot connecting with his gut. He grunts, but it barely slows him down. I twist, trying to break free, but he’s too strong, too desperate. His claws rake across my arm, biting into my skin, and I cry out in pain, the sharp edge of fear mixing with the sting of blood.

 “Get off!” I scream, struggling beneath his weight. I manage to wriggle my arm free and, with all my strength, I shove against his chest. It’s enough to send him tumbling back, but I know it won’t last. I scramble to my feet, stumbling again as pain shoots through my arm, but I can’t stop… can’t give in.

 I dart past him, adrenaline fueling my escape, but I can hear him growling behind me, the sound of his pursuit echoing through the trees. I need to find a weapon, something to defend myself. My heart races as I scan my surroundings, desperately searching for anything that could help me survive.

 Ahead, I spot a fallen branch… thick and sturdy. I dash toward it, grasping it in my hands just as I hear him barreling toward me. I turn, the branch raised high, and as he lunges again, I swing with all my might. The branch connects with the side of his head, and he stumbles, momentarily dazed.

 But the victory is short-lived. He recovers quickly, rage fueling his madness. He lunges again, and I brace myself, swinging the branch once more. This time, I hit him in the ribs, the crack of bone echoing in the stillness of the night. He lets out a howl of pain, but it only seems to enrage him more.

 In that moment, I know I can’t keep this up. The rogue is relentless; he wants to eat me, and I’m running out of strength. He lunges again, and this time, he’s faster. I feel a sharp pain slice through my side as his claws rake against my skin, tearing through flesh. I gasp, my vision blurring with the shock of pain.

 “No!” I scream, but the sound is swallowed by the night. I swing the branch again, but it’s heavy in my hands, and I can feel my body weakening, the world around me spinning as the rogue steps closer, eyes wild with hunger.

 This is it. The reality crashes over me like a wave; I’m going to die here, in this clearing, alone and terrified, I am gonna be this monster’s dinner. I can feel the darkness creeping in, the edges of my vision fading. My breath quickens, panic rising in my chest.

 “River…” I whisper, the name barely escaping my lips as the rogue lunges one last time, teeth bared, ready to claim me.

And then I close my eyes, hoping death will come fast..