Chapter Text
The moment Shiloh stepped into the Forest, she knew that something was wrong. The trees all stood at attention, not moving. The birds didn't chirp through the breeze, and the grass was yellowing at the edges. Then it hit her. The wind. Every time that she had entered the forest, the wind had been there, not loud, not quiet, just there, standing beside her. This time, it wasn't. This time, it wasn't there at all. A cold feeling of dread settled in Shiloh's stomach.
She glanced over at Judah. He mirrored her grave expression. He knew the forest just as well as her, if not better. He knew just how bad the situation was. Without the wind, the entire forest would fall apart.
Then she looked at Liam. She had to admit, a part of her heart fluttered at the sight of him. Shiloh pushed that part away. She needed to stay professional. She expected him to be confused as to why Shiloh and Judah were so grim. Instead, his face was matching theirs.
"Shiloh, what do we do?" Judah said as he limped towards her, crutch in hand. He had broken his leg again after falling off the fourth Eifel Tower.
"I don't know."
//////
They walked in silence towards the campsite. The silence broke when Judah shrieked. Laying just outside the campsite, bloody and broken, was the deer. Shiloh rushed towards him. She quickly examined his body.
"Judah, do you have some bandages and a med kit?" They were in Shiloh's hands before she could blink. She hastily applied them onto the Deer, and he began to stir.
"Liam do you have any food, I think he needs it for the energy."
//////
Five minutes later the three of them were standing in front of a mostly-healed and mostly-rejuvenated Deer.
That was when the wolves attacked.
Out of the shadows, to wolves leapt at them. Luckily, Liam was able to fight them off, but Shiloh noticed something strange about these wolves. They were larger than the normal kind, had darker fur, larger fangs, and eyes that glowed red with rage. She hoped that she would never need to see those eyes again.
//////
It was dark now. The flames of the campfire licked the air, sending sparks randomly flying. Liam was standing guard. Shiloh sat down on a log while Judah leaned against the crafting bench. It was a quiet night, perfect for thinking. And Shiloh had a lot to think about.
What had happened to Ariel? Where was she. Shiloh knew that Ariel would never leave the forest without giving her role to someone else, or at least telling Elijah so that he could come see her. So where was she?
Shiloh didn't have time to think for much longer. A deafening screech echoed from the distance. Shiloh, Liam, and Judah all ran towards it. They found a strange, large, bat-like creature disappear into the shadows, taking the now limp body of the Deer with it. Just before it left, it turned back towards the threesome and let out a screech, and turned away. Shiloh and Judah fell to the floor from impact. Liam scrambled to catch them both, ensuring that neither got hurt.
"Did we just almost die because of a high-pitched sound?" Judah's comment would have been funny if it wasn't for the dire situation.
"I think we did." Shiloh's reply seemed more like a warning than an answer.
//////
In the morning, they all split into groups to get more work done. Shiloh and Liam would go out into the forest to try and see where the Bat had gone, as well as get some supplies. Judah would stay home and guard base due to his injury. He didn't look happy about it, but he knew that it was the only plausible solution to their current predicament.
Before they left, Shiloh saw Judah take Liam away and show him something. He whispered something in a threatening voice. From what Shiloh heard and saw, Judah had brought along his companion, the spritzer bottle of pee. It had been used as a threat.
Liam came out looking more amused than scared. Shiloh had to admit, amusement was a good look for Liam. Especially with that little smirk of his. It kind of made him look hot. His eyes met hers.
"C'mon, let's get going." Shiloh was already jogging ahead of Liam. He overtook her, and jogged backwards to face her.
Shiloh's heart pounded against her ribcage, and not just because they were running now.
"Where are we headed to?" Liam's voice distracted Shiloh from her thoughts.
"We scout the area where we last saw the Bat, and look out for the Deer."
"Yes ma'am." His voice released a thousand butterflies in Shiloh's stomach.
They both slowed down to a walking pace. They needed to observe every detail.
"Liam, you take that corner, I'll take this side." They split up, which only worsened Shiloh's case of butterflies.
//////
They had been searching for enough time for Shiloh to consider giving up for the day, when Liam called out to her.
"Shiloh, I think I found something,". She was next to him before any more words poured out of his mouth.
She stared dumbfoundedly at what was in front of her. She turned towards Liam.
"How did we not notice this the entire time we were just a couple hundred meters away?" Liam shrugged.
They were standing in front of a cave entrance taller than Liam and and wider than both of their heights put together.
"Should we go in?" Liam's voice was laced with caution.
"Let's try."
//////
They had both only stepped foot into the cave when the deafening screech of the bat echoed of the walls. Liam managed to catch Shiloh before she hit the ground. She clung to him like a Shiloh-koala. Liam looked at her.
"Run."
They both fled from the cavern, feet flying against the dirt of the forest floor. Shiloh glanced back behind them. The bat was gaining ground. It was night now, so it couldn't even be afraid of the light.
It opened it's mouth, and Liam tackled her behind a tree before the same screech rang throughout the forest.
Shiloh looked up at Liam. He put a single finger to his lips, signaling their need for silence.
After a while, the bat must have gotten confused and left. Only then did Shiloh realize that she hadn't been breathing, and how she was tucked against Liam's chest. She felt herself blushing. Liam caught her gaze and just smirked.
They headed back toward the campfire. It didn't take long. Upon arrival, they recounted their adventure to Judah, minus the part about Shiloh being tucked against Liam's chest behind a tree, considering that an aggravated Judah was not a safe one to be around. Once they were done talking, Judah just looked at Shiloh with fear in his eyes.
"What are we going to do?"