Hilda and The Watchtower

Chapter 3: Did you hear that?

On the path, Hilda shined her light through the trees, hoping not to go off trail by mistake. In her hands she clutched the walkie talkie and flashlight in both hands respectively so as to not lose them, and held Twig in her arms as they ventured through the trail together.

Why was she so scared? This isn't like her. Is whatever that's out there really so bad that she can't even walk around without Twig in her arms? Not that it was a bad thing, it's just that he usually walks by her side.

Tower Four: "I didn't copy, could you repeat that? Over."

The frightened deerfox and adventurer briefly looked at each other in confusion. Hilda held the button on the side of the walkie talkie to begin her transmission.

Hilda: "I... didn't say anything--"

The sound of a tree falling and loud inhuman screeching could be heard close by.

Hilda: "What was that?! Did you hear that?!"

Tower Four: "Just keep on the path, okay? You're almost here."

Hilda: "No. No, no, no, no. NO. Did you hear that?"

She apprehensively looked around her for the source of the sound, dropping Twig to his feet in a panic. The moment Hilda caught a sight of two bright eyes floating in the trees, she immediately bolted the other direction into the woods with her deerfox in tow.

Hilda: "It's still chasing us!"

The line went silent and panic began to settle in for the ranger. He paced from side-to-side, occasionally looking into the forest below him to see any signs of the girl.

Nothing had come by until he heard radio static finally going off. As soon as he heard it, he rushed to it, hoping to hear the little girl, which he did to his satisfaction.

Hilda: (breathing heavily) "Hey... I think we lost it. But... we lost the trail too..."

Tower Four: "What do you see? Any landmarks?"

Hilda: "I see... a lake, and..."

As much as there was static confirming the girl was still there, the ranger couldn't help but feel that she needed to keep talking more to make sure.

Hilda: "A cave? ...A mine? One of the two, but it's something, I guess?"

The ranger had to make sure that where she went was extremely careful. He's seen from the beam outside that waved around in the dark that she had a source of light, but it seemed easier to just lead her here. Then again, the last time he tried to lead someone here, the Goatman came...

Another important thought had come to mind: there should be a path back to the trail in the mine, as it's not a far route from the main trail.

Tower Four: "Go towards the mine! You can find a way back to the trail over from there. Over."

Hilda: "Okay... thank you..."

The static went off as the ranger hoped for the little girl to find the mine's second route, only for that hope to be interrupted by another message.

Hilda?: "Are you... Watching... The lake?"