Descent - Mattheo Riddle

Chapter sixteen

Lucia

May 22nd, 5 a.m., The Forbidden Forest

The chill of the early morning air seeped into my bones as we sat huddled in the hollowed-out tree. The rough bark pressed against my back, a constant reminder of the reality of our situation. I rubbed my wrists absentmindedly, the ghost of the chains that had bound me still lingering. The sense of freedom was foreign and almost overwhelming, but I couldn't afford to let my guard down. Not yet.

I glanced at Mattheo, his figure barely visible in the dim light that filtered through the thick foliage. He was alert, every muscle tense, ready for the next threat. It was a strange and disconcerting feeling, relying on the person who had been my tormentor. But survival necessitated strange alliances.

The forest was alive with the sounds of dawn. The clicking of insects, the rustling of leaves, and the distant calls of creatures waking up for the day. It was a symphony of potential dangers, each sound a reminder of the precariousness of our situation. We were far from safe, and every second that passed brought us closer to being discovered. My mind raced with the events of the last few hours. The shock of Mattheo freeing me, the desperate dash through the castle's corridors, and now, hiding in the depths of the Forbidden Forest. Trust was a luxury I couldn't afford, but neither could I deny the strange shift in Mattheo's behavior. He had saved me, but at what cost? What was his endgame?

"We need to keep moving," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. The cold had seeped into my lungs, making each breath a reminder of our vulnerability.

Mattheo nodded, his eyes scanning the forest around us. "We can't stay here for long. The Death Eaters will be searching the grounds soon. We need to find a more secure hiding place."

Reluctantly, I agreed. Staying hidden in the forest was our best chance, but it was also filled with its own set of dangers. The dense trees and undergrowth provided cover but also concealed threats. Every step we took had to be measured and cautious.

We slipped out of the hollow tree, the early morning light casting long shadows across the forest floor. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine, a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere of the dungeons we had just escaped. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. Fear gnawed at the edges of my resolve, but I couldn't afford to let it consume me.

Mattheo took the lead, moving with a confidence born of familiarity. Despite everything, I couldn't help but admire his composure. He navigated the forest with ease, his movements almost predatory. I followed closely, every sense on high alert, ready for any sign of danger.

The deeper we ventured into the forest, the darker and more foreboding it became. The trees seemed to close in around us, their branches intertwining to form a dense canopy that blocked out most of the light. The path ahead was treacherous, filled with roots and uneven ground that threatened to trip us at every turn.

As we moved, I felt a growing sense of unease. The forest was a place of old magic, filled with creatures and spells that had been forgotten by most. It was a place where anything could happen, where the lines between reality and nightmare blurred. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig set my heart racing.

Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the trees. I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. Mattheo stopped too, his eyes scanning the darkness for the source of the sound. We were not alone. The forest was home to many creatures, some of which were far more dangerous than any Death Eater.

"We need to move, now," Mattheo whispered, urgency lacing his voice. He reached out, grabbing my arm and pulling me along. We moved quickly but silently, trying to put as much distance between us and the growling as possible.