DEMON HUNT

Chapter 16: A darker dark forest

    Jolie alights from the bus and begins to run as fast as she can, trying to reach the others, to warn them.

    In the dark forest.

Mari: Get serious and say what you...

   Mari suddenly senses a grave level of animosity.

Mari: (yells) Guys, get away from here!

    They all attempt to move as a huge explosion occurs.

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   Mario opens his eyes slowly. He's on the ground, dirt all over his clothes. His ears are ringing and he's tempted to take off his mask.

Mario: What was that? I thought today was Ruhe day.

    Mario struggles to his feet and picks up dark nemesis  which is luckily just by his side.

Mario: Where are the others? I hope they made it in time. I have to find them.

  Mario begins to forge ahead slowly, searching for the others.

  Humberto and Yash both find themselves on the  ground, lying side by side. Humberto gets up and taps Yash.

Humberto: You alive? Talk to me.

   Yash coughs as he gets up.

Yash: Ouch. I think I landed wrongly.

Humberto: There was an explosion. I don't think you could have landed in a better way.

  They both get up and attempt to get a clue on their whereabouts.

Yash: My memory may be fuzzy, but I don't recall reacting fast enough to escape the explosion.

Humberto: What makes you say that?

Yash: The smoke is coming from way over there.

  Yash points towards the direction of the source of the smoke. It's a considerable distance away from their current position.

Humberto: I guess we were lucky? Whatever the case, we have to head over there. We'll stand a greater chance of finding the others if we do that.

Yash: Good idea.

   They both walk towards the source of the smoke and after a while, Yash suddenly stops.

Humberto: What is it?

Yash: I'm not the smartest of people, but isn't something kinda off?

  Humberto replies on the top of his voice.

Humberto: We're in a creepy forest, coms are down, we barely survived an explosion. I'm afraid you're gonna have to be a bit more specific!

Yash: We've walked past that creepy tree three times now.

   Yash points at an awkwardly bent pine tree.

Humberto: You have a point. Don't tell me we've been moving in circles all this time...

      They both hear a voice which sends them into panic.

Mundo: I'm afraid you're right.

    Humberto and Yash look at each other in shock as they lean on each other's backs, each facing the opposite direction.

Humberto: Who's there?

     Mundo slowly comes out of 'hiding', from behind a tree. He's wearing a blue robe, with a hood over his head.

Mundo: Greetings.

   He smirks as he removes the hood, displaying his bright blue eyes.

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       Meanwhile, Renard and Mari are miles away from the explosion site, in an open field with short grasses all over, standing at a considerable distance apart, at opposite ends of the field.