The Madness Within ✓

XXXV.

We both got in the car and began driving away from the house. This time, if they attack us in bigger numbers, we'll be ready.

We drove deeper into the forest, looking for any signs of the creatures lurking around as we went. We'll definitely stop somewhere at some point, but seeing something trying to sneakily get closer to us wouldn't be surprising, so we have to be careful no matter what.

We passed many more similar-looking trees and took many lefts and rights on the road, yet there was still no sign of the creatures.

„They're trying to be more sneaky now," I said and Chris nodded.
„Let's drive around for a while longer. If we don't see them, we'll stop somewhere and walk around."

We drove around a little while longer, and I slowly realized that I was actually beginning to recognize this road. Something about it felt similar and it was probably because we passed this road so many times by now. But still, I never thought that I'd get used to this. Get used to just.. existing here.

„Still no sign of any creature around?" Chris asked and interrupted my thoughts.

„No," I responded and looked out of the window. I should be paying more attention to the creatures, not the road.

After a few minutes of driving around the forest, we decided to stop by the road and get out of the car. I grabbed my backpack and gently placed my hand on the gun, checking if I still had it.
My feelings about the gun were still no different from before. While having it made me feel safe, I also didn't trust myself around it. I simply had to hope that I don't mess up and just do as I was told.

„Okay, let's go," Chris said and began walking away from the car. I took a deep breath and followed after him.

„We probably should've eaten something before going here," Chris mumbled and smiled at me.
„I hope you're not too hungry. I promise we'll eat something as soon as all of this is over."

„You're the one who mentioned it, I'm not hungry," I smiled back.

„True."

Chris looked around himself for a moment, then looked back at me again.

„I'll invite you for a nice dinner after all this, what do you think?"

The smile on my face widened as I nodded in response.
„Sure. I accept."

Chris nodded as well and continued walking through the forest. We were now getting further away from the car, which made me feel a little bit anxious. I knew that we wouldn't be able to use the car as a way to escape again, but it still felt safer to be at least close to it.
But that's exactly what the creatures want. They want to keep us away from the one thing that's keeping us safe.

„Chris..?" I mumbled. Chris turned around almost immediately, noticing the tone of my voice.

„Is something wrong, Clara?"

„No. It's just that.. we won't be able to go to a nice dinner if one of us dies, so.. let's try our best, but let's also stay safe, okay?"

Chris' worried face quickly turned into a smug smile.

„I didn't know you're this worried about me. Of course we'll both survive this. I'll make sure that we do," Chris replied and placed his hand on my shoulder. I nodded and smiled back.

At that moment, one of the music boxes began playing its nice, relaxing melody. Or at least it would be relaxing if it weren't for the situation we were currently in. Because the sound of the music box meant that it was finally time.

„They're coming," I whispered to Chris.

„Load your gun," Chris replied and began doing exactly what he told me to do. I did the same.