Escape

Chapter 2 Leviathan

"Did you hear that?" Moon said, her voice trembling as she grasped her sister's arm. Her wide eyes scanned the inky blackness of the lake, searching for the source of the noise.

"It's probably just a fish or a turtle. There's nothing to be afraid of," Star reassured, gently rubbing her sister's head. The small boat they were in drifted silently along the water, the gentle lapping of the waves against the hull the only sound.

A cold drop of water splashed onto Star's arm, drawing her gaze upward. Once illuminated by the bright moon, the sky was consumed by dark, rolling storm clouds. The air grew heavy with the promise of rain.

"A storm's coming in," Star said, a hint of relief in her voice. "Perfect. They won't look for us in the rain, and the dogs will lose our scent."

" Good. How much further?" Moon asks.

"That's a good question. I'll check," Star said, reaching into her backpack perched on the edge of the rafter. She pulled out a glow stick, but before she could light it, a flash of lightning illuminated the darkness of the night. Something caught Star's gaze, drawing her attention sharply.

Something huge with green eyes! Her heart stops, then starts pounding quickly.

"Moon!" she whispers urgently.

"Yes, Star?" her sister replies, unaware of the danger.

"No matter what happens, keep swimming, and don't look back!"

"What Star? What are you talking about?"

"Moon, I need you to focus!" Star commanded sternly, her voice cutting through the tension. She reached into her backpack with practiced precision, pulling out two small rods. In one fluid motion, she connected them, and with a sharp snap, they clicked together, forming a single, sturdy tool.

"You're scaring me, Star. What's going on?" Moon whines to her sister, who is looking around in a panic.

"Shhh, listen, what do you hear ?"

The Forest is dead quiet.

"Nothing! It's quiet!"

"Exactly!" she hands Moon the glow stick. Take this, but don't light it until I tell you to jump! Then, I want you to swim to the other side as hard and fast as possible. Don't worry about me; keep going. Understand!"

"But why, I can't ..."

"Moon, we don't have time!" Star exclaimed, her body tensing as she prepared for the imminent danger.

"I understand," Moon replied, her voice steady despite her inability to understand the situation.

"Good, now be ready!"

"But what should I be ready for?" Moon asked, her eyes wide with uncertainty.

Suddenly, something massive slammed into the rafter, snapping it in half like a brittle twig! Star and Moon were violently separated as the rafter splintered and sailed in opposite directions. Star was carried away with an alarming speed, her figure becoming a blur.

"Now, Moon, jump! Swim, swim, swim!" Star's voice pierced through the panic, commanding Moon to act.

Moon trembled with fear, disoriented by the sudden turn of events. She bent her glow stick, which flared to life, casting a bright blue light piercing the surrounding darkness. Her eyes widened in horror at the sight before her.

Her sister, Star, was being carried away by a monstrous creature, at least fifty feet long! No, not just a monster—something reptilian with a long, whipping tail. Moon couldn't fully see the massive creature but knew her sister was in grave danger. Helplessly, she sat in the broken half of the rafter, drifting away into the abyss.