CHAPTER 65: THE ATTACK II

The night air tore at their lungs as Elara and Corrine sprinted from the treeline, but it felt like they weren’t moving fast enough.

The shadows stretched unnaturally long across the grass, pursuing them. But they weren’t just mere shadows. They were demons.

"Elara—faster!" Corrine hissed, grabbing her wrist and pulling.

"I am running!" Elara’s breath came ragged, her sweater snagging on a branch behind her. She yanked it free and continued running.

The cry came again. Low and piercing. It wasn’t the owl. It came from the forest and it rattled through their bones.

Elara stumbled. "Oh God—"

Corrine didn’t let her fall. She dragged her back onto her feet, her own fear flashing in her eyes as it seemed like they couldn’t escape the demons. "Don’t you dare stop running. Not now!"

They tore across the courtyard, the school looming closer. But no matter how close they got, they were never getting to it. It felt like the closer they were, the more they had to run, like the forest itself was pulling them back.

Another cry split the night. Closer this time.

Elara’s chest tightened. She tried not to look back, but the temptation clawed at her. Finally, she glanced over her shoulder—

And nearly screamed. The demons weren’t retreating back into the treeline. They were spilling out, crawling across the ground, long and fast, hot on their heels.

"Corrine!" Elara gasped.

"I see it!" Corrine spat, her face pale. "Just don’t stop—"

They didn’t make it to the dorm.

Something was waiting for them at the edge of the courtyard.

A figure stood still right in front of them.

Elara skidded to a halt, Corrine nearly crashing into her. Their breaths came sharp, clouding in the cold air.

The figure tilted its head. The movement was wrong, slow and nothing like a human’s.

Elara’s hand clamped down on Corrine’s arm. "That’s not a teacher."

Corrine swallowed. "And it’s not the dorm mistress."

The figure stepped forward into the moonlight.

For a second, Elara’s stomach flipped. It looked like a student—no, someone else who stole the school’s uniform and hurriedly dressed in them, complete with a loose tie and black shoes.

But the face... the face wasn’t right. Its eyes were too black, and its smile stretched too wide across its cheeks.

"Hello," it said, grinning widely. "You shouldn’t be out here."

Elara’s nails dug into Corrine’s sleeve. "It’s— it’s one of them. From the forest—"

"... trying desperately to disguise," Corrine finished, whispering quietly.

The figure’s smile didn’t fade. It blinked slowly. "What are you girls doing out here? It’s so late in the night. You looking for your friend? She’s deep inside the forest. You can’t find her."

"Bella?" Elara’s voice cracked.

"Yes." The thing cocked its head again, almost curious. "She’s what the forest wants. What it’s always wanted." Its smile widened, splitting impossibly far. "But now... it’s noticed you, too. Will you... gladly of course... come with me?"

Corrine shoved Elara behind her, her own hands balled into fists. Her voice shook, but her words came out sharp. "Stay the hell away from us!"

The figure didn’t move, nor did it flinch. It just stood still.

Behind them, the other demons were still spilling closer, eating at the courtyard grass.

Elara’s heart pounded so loud she thought the thing would hear it. She whispered, "Corrine... we can’t fight this. We have to—"

"Run?" Corrine finished, her eyes still locked on the figure.

The thing grinned wider. "Run. Yes. Run. It makes my hunt sweeter."

Elara’s stomach lurched.

"Corrine—"

"I know." Corrine took her hand tight "On three."

The figure tilted its head back, sniffing the air like it could taste their fear.

"One," Corrine whispered.

Elara’s pulse slammed in her throat.

"Two."

The demons surged faster from behind, the disguised figure in front.

"Three!"

They bolted sideways, not for their dorm, nor the forest, but toward the staff quarters, hoping—praying—that whatever that thing was, it wouldn’t follow them.

But the cry echoed again, deafening now.

And Elara knew, with a sick drop in her stomach, that it wasn’t just Bella who was in danger.

The forest had seen them.

And it was after them now.

They kept running across the courtyard, towards the staff quarters. They didn’t dare look back, they didn’t dare slow down.

"Don’t stop!" Corrine shouted, her grip bruising around Elara’s wrist.

They vanished down the path toward their destination, their frantic footsteps fading into the night.

Silence fell.

—

At the edge of the forest, where the demons were pouring from, another figure stepped out. Cloaked in black, her fingers covered with ragged gloves.

Mallory Woods.

She didn’t chase the girls. She didn’t even look in their direction. Her attention was fixed on the demons coming from the treeline.

Her voice was calm, cold and commanding. "Why do you hunt them? Have you truly forgotten your allies from your enemies?"

The demons recoiled, quivering and folding inward with fear.

"...forgive us... we could not see... the forest blinds us..."

Mallory’s hand lifted, just slightly. "Excuses." She shushed them. You know the pack. You do not touch them. Not unless we command it."

The demons trembled, their voices overlapping in a chorus of fear.

"...forgive... forgive... mistress... forgive..."

"Remember who holds your leash," Mallory hissed. "The forest may be hungry. But as the second in command, I rule you!"

The demons, even the strange figure, scattered back into the trees with a hiss, leaving only silence in their wake.

Mallory lowered her hand, her lips curling into a bitter half-smile.

"Not yet," she whispered to the trees. "Soon, it’ll be time to use the girls. Until then—"

And with that, she turned, vanishing into the night.

---

Elara slammed the dorm room door shut behind them, her chest heaving as she pressed her back against it. Corrine stumbled to her bed, collapsing onto the edge with her hands braced on her knees, gasping for breath.

Neither spoke at first. The silence between them was filled only with their ragged breathing and the pounding of their hearts.

Finally, Elara whispered, "What... what were those things?" Her voice was hoarse, still trembling.

Corrine shook her head, strands of hair sticking to her damp forehead. "I don’t know. I don’t want to know." She ran her hands down her face, trying to steady herself.

"But if Bella’s out there...with those things—"

"Don’t." Corrine’s voice stopped her. "Don’t say it."

For a moment, the world seemed to settle into stillness again. Their room was dim, quiet, and safe.

Then—

A sharp knock.

Both girls jerked upright. The sound echoed through the wooden door startling them.

Elara’s fingers clutched the blanket on her bed. "Who... who would be knocking at this hour?"

Corrine stood immediately, her face pale. "I don’t know," she whispered.

Knock. Knock. The knock came again, this time, slower.

Elara’s breath came fast again. "We—we can’t answer it."

"No, we shouldn’t," Corrine snapped, though her voice wavered. She moved closer to the door anyway, pressing her ear against the wood.

Silence.

And then—

"Elara. Corrine." The voice came, almost a whisper, muffled by the door.

Elara slapped her hands over her mouth to stifle a scream. Corrine stumbled back from the door like it had burned her.

The knock came again, softer this time, almost playful.

"Open up."

Corrine’s breath came in sharp bursts, her fists clenched tight at her sides. Then she took a step toward the door. "Who...who are you?"

Elara shook her head furiously, whispering, "Don’t you dare—don’t you dare open it—"

But then the knock came again, firmer this time. "It’s just me girls, open up."

The voice was clearer now. And familiar.

Corrine froze. Elara blinked, confusion flickering through the haze of fear.

"...That sounded like—"

"Elara. Corrine. I said open the door."

Corrine’s throat tightened. She glanced at Elara, then at the handle, and finally, with a muttered curse, she yanked the door open.

Standing there, calm, collected, and entirely out of place, was Mallory Woods, the admissions officer.

Both girls went stock-still.

Elara’s mouth opened, but no words came out. Corrine’s eyes narrowed in shock. "You’ve got to be kidding me."

Mallory arched a brow, her hands folded neatly in front of her, as though this were the most ordinary thing in the world. "Why do you both look like you’ve seen a ghost?"

"You—" Elara’s voice cracked. "What are you doing here? It’s the middle of the night—"

Corrine took a step forward, incredulous. "You’re the admissions officer. You don’t just—just show up at students’ doors after midnight. What is this?"

Mallory tilted her head slightly, "Why indeed," she said softly, as if the question amused her.

Her gaze swept over them. Her eyes lingering on their faces, their damp hair clinging to their foreheads, the way their chests rose and fell.

"Tell me," she said smoothly, "Where have you two been? And why..." she gestured lightly toward them, "do you look as though you’ve just run a mile?"

Elara’s stomach dropped. "We—we haven’t been anywhere."

Corrine straightened her spine, trying to be brave but her voice wavered. "We’ve been in here the whole time. It’s... hot. That’s why we’re sweating."

Elara nodded furiously, clutching her sweater as if that made the lie more believable. "Yes, yes. Very hot and stuffy."

Mallory regarded them for a long, unnerving silence. Then she leaned in slightly.

"Mm. I see. In that case," she said softly, "perhaps a reminder is in order."

Both girls held their breath.

Mallory’s dark eyes, locked onto theirs one by one. "Bella is in the forest because she broke the school’s rules. Do you understand?"

Elara’s throat tightened. "Y-yes."

Mallory’s gaze flicked to Corrine. "So," she continued, her voice lowering, "if you wish to avoid joining her... I would advise you to be very careful. Follow the rules. Do not wander where you’re not supposed to. And do not, for any reason, test this school’s patience."

Elara shivered, her palms clammy. Corrine finally muttered with a rough voice. "We understand."

Mallory’s expression softened, but to them, it was still terrifying. "Good girls."

With that, she turned on her heels and walked away, leaving the door wide open.

Neither girl moved until the sound of her steps faded completely.

Elara hugged her knees to her chest, her voice a whisper. "Oh my God..."