The Thing in the Woods [Phayu x Rain] (Love in the Air)

Chapter 7

It was completely dark when Ple opened her eyes. She couldn’t move. Something had wound itself around her entire body.

“GUESTS! HOW WONDERFUL-L-L. MORK IS H-H-HAPPY. DON’T S-S-STRUGGLE, LITTLE ONE.”

A body-less voice echoed through the darkness. Ple couldn’t make out which direction it came from. There was only black around her.

When she felt a breeze to her left, fear gripped her heart.

“Who are you? Where is Som?”

“SOM IS THE OTHER-R-R, IS HE NOT? THE BOY IS S-S-SLEEPING.”

“What have you done to him?” Ple felt sick when something slithered over her face. She retched.

“HMMMM,” the thing seemed to purr. The sick feeling in her gut turned to terror.

“YOUR FEAR SMELLS S-S-SO SWEET. MUCH S-S-SWEETER THAN THE OTHER.”

“Som?” she shouted into the darkness. “Are you there?”

The answering laugh felt like a physical thing.

“YES!!!” it hissed. “FEAD ME-E-E.”

Ple suddenly felt tired, as if all her energy had left her. Was this how she would die?

~

“Do you have anything to say for yourself?” Phayu was staring at Rain darkly.

“You were talking about Sky. Of course, I was listening. What do you expect?”

Rain was not going to cower in front of this man again. If Phayu had any information concerning Sky, then Rain needed to know.

“Hello, P’Pai. Fancy seeing you here,” he said rudely, turning to the newcomer and ignoring Phayu entirely. Rain looked at the man challengingly. If Phayu was unwilling to tell him what was happening, maybe Prapai would spill if Rain pushed hard enough.

“Hello, cutie pie,” Prapai said, somewhat tense, wincing when Rain glared at him.

The man’s usual flirting felt flat. It was clear something was worrying him.

“So, you know about Sky, I assume?” Rain asked, disregarding the sulking man to his side.

May the tease mope all he wanted. Rain didn’t care.

Prapai squirmed. “I heard that Sky hadn’t been to school today, so I got worried and went to his house,” he admitted.

“How do you know where he lives?” Rain questioned him immediately. He had the feeling that Sky didn’t really like Prapai. Surely, he wouldn’t have given the man his address.

But Prapai didn’t seem to be taken aback by the question at all. “Oh, our fathers are friends. Didn’t he tell you that?”

“Are you sure?” Rain wondered. Apparently, it was his turn to be thrown off guard instead. “Sky doesn’t seem to like you much.”

Prapai sounded wounded, “I know. I have no idea why he hates me so much.”

Phayu scoffed at his friend, “It’s because you are a big fat flirt that chats up everything that moves.”

“How often do I have to tell you I am not flirting? I am just being nice. The only one I love is my Sky.” Phayu seemed to have hit a nerve.

“There’s no need to tell me that,” Phayu scoffs. “I can see your stupid heart eyes from a mile away. It’s Sky you need to convince.”

“Look at who is talking.” Prapai crossed his arms in front of his chest, pouting. “As if you are any better. Your modus operandi is to scare the person you like within an inch of their lives, right Rain?!”