Hilda and The Watchtower

Epilogue: Bright and Early

The sun rose over the trees, illuminating the forest below. Up in the tower, Hilda slowly awakened, rubbing her groggy eyes awake from her  slumber. The night before was hectic, to say the least, making the view of the sun to be much more fulfilling.

After Hilda woke her sleeping companion, she quickly made her way to the door. Upon opening the door, she was met by a tall grown man with a ginger beard. He was wearing what seemed to be a Ranger uniform, with a nameplate that read 'Alexander Rogers.'

Hilda: "...Hello. Are you the one who helped us last night?"

The Ranger said nothing, as he held his hand for Hilda to take.

Alexander: "Come on, kid. Let's bring you back to the sparrow scouts."

Hilda took the man's hand as he led her and Twig down the flight of stairs. Surprisingly, they almost seemed shorter than last night, as now she is no longer rushing upwards in a panic. However, one thought lingered on the little adventurer's mind.

Hilda: "Am I going to be in trouble?"

Alexander: "We'll see."

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It was about thirteen or so minutes of back and forth between the Ranger and Raven leader. Hilda couldn't tell if he was getting her out of trouble or Raven Leader was pointing the blame towards him. Had the Ranger not told her to wait aside, she would've defended him if the latter was the case.

After enough time had passed, the Ranger finally shook hands with Raven leader and walked off, not even sparing a glance to Hilda.

Raven leader: "Hilda! Come here, please."

Hilda quickly strides over to Raven leader, stopping just in front of her, expecting her to be angry for her actions.

Hilda: "Yes, Raven leader...?"

Raven leader: "I can't say that I approve of you wandering off from the campsite, but I'm glad you aren't hurt. What were you even thinking walking off into the forest for, anyhow?"

Hilda: "I-I thought I heard something..."

Raven leader: "And...?"

Hilda: "I got lost... I started hearing things and asked the Ranger for help..."

Raven leader: "Did you? That's not what he told me..."

Hilda looked up, slightly confused.

Hilda: "What did he say?"

Raven leader looked in the direction the Ranger walked off towards, evidently suspicious of him.

Raven leader: "He claims to have never encountered you before."

Hilda: "Oh, well, maybe it was the wrong one? The one I was talking to was in—."

Raven leader: "Fire Tower 4, correct?"

Hilda: "Y-... yeah..."

Raven leader: "I thought so... well, Hilda, I'll need to let your mother know about this incident. I will, however, let you off with a warning if you promise to not venture without my knowledge again during a camping trip."

Hilda: "I promise, Raven leader."

Raven leader: "Very well. Come along, we're gathering everyone before we leave."

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On the bus ride back to Trolberg, Hilda once again chatted with her close friends, with her faithful companion in her lap, who whined in an apologetic manner.

Hilda pet Twig from his head to his back.

Hilda: "It's okay, Twig."

Frida: "What happened out there, Hilda?"

David: "Did you find that monster in the woods?"

Hilda: "No, at least, I hope I didn't."

Frida: "Hilda, after everything we've been through, you wouldn't want to see a monster?"

Hilda: "Don't get me wrong, of course I would... but this time it felt..."

David: "Terrifying?"

Hilda sighed, preparing herself to say what she'd hate always admitting.

Hilda: "Yeah, terrifying..."

Frida placed a hand on Hilda's shoulder.

Frida: "It's okay to feel afraid, Hilda. You don't have to be brave all the time."

She smiled from the comfort of her friends.

Hilda: "Thanks, guys."

David: "How did you get up that tower, by the way."

Hilda: "The park ranger helped me get there. But for some reason he tried to lie to Raven leader about finding me..."

Frida: "Well, I know where Raven leader's never taking us again."

The trio laughed at Frida's statement as they eventually returned to the Scout hall.

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Back in Gracewind park, Alexander watched over the trees again. The park was all his for the night once more. This time, he was sure no hikers were down below him. No sneaky teens, no lost children, no fragile soul to be made prey.

As he reached for his mug once more beside him, he heard his radio emit static noises. He walked over to inspect the issue. Possibly it was some faulty wiring, or the blasted thing finally last as long as it could. The technology up here was quite dated.

Yet, upon further investigation, there seemed to be no issues. Alexander scratched his head. This type of stuff wouldn't happen unless someone would try to tune into the same channel or...

...that's when he looked up and saw it.

The last thing Alexander would see, would be those red glowing eyes, staring into his soul over the door to the only exit.