One moment, Alex Parker is dozing in front of the TV. The next, she's waking in a world that isn't hers-a place of shifting shadows, dangerous secrets, and rules she doesn't understand. Taken in by the lone survivor of the Hale family, Alex is thrus...
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───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── THE TREES seemed to close in around them, branches clawing at Alex as she and Scott sprinted deeper into the woods. The adrenaline coursed through her veins, blurring her sense of direction, but Scott's grip on her hand anchored her, urging her forward.
"Where are we going?" she gasped, struggling to keep pace.
"Just away from whatever that was!" Scott shouted, his voice steady despite the chaos. "We need to regroup with the others."
Suddenly, the ground dipped, and Alex stumbled, her foot catching on a root. She fell hard, the breath knocked out of her. Scott stopped immediately, his hand slipping from hers as he turned back.
"Alex!" he called, panic flashing across his face.
"I'm fine! Just go!" she shouted, scrambling to her feet. But the moment she stood, the shadows shifted behind Scott, coiling like smoke.
"Scott, look out!" she screamed, but it was too late. A dark figure lunged from the underbrush, knocking him off balance.
"Get off me!" Scott grunted, grappling with the figure as Alex's heart raced. The shadowy assailant wore a hood, its face obscured, but she could see the glint of sharp eyes peering out.
"Run, Alex!" Scott yelled, pushing against the weight of his attacker.
Without thinking, Alex turned and ran, her feet pounding against the ground. She could hear Scott's struggles behind her, but she knew that she couldn't look back. Panic surged through her as she pushed deeper into the forest, branches whipping against her skin.
The world felt surreal, each shadow morphing into a potential threat. She spotted a narrow path to her right and dove into it, hoping it would lead her to safety. The underbrush closed in around her, and she instinctively ducked beneath a low-hanging branch.
"Caleb! Lydia!" she shouted, her voice echoing in the dense air. "Derek!"
Silence answered her, a heavy blanket that amplified her fear. She pressed on, heart hammering, feeling the weight of eyes on her back, though she couldn't see anyone.
Finally, the trees thinned, and Alex burst into a small clearing. She skidded to a halt, breathing heavily. The sun peeked through the branches above, illuminating the space and casting long shadows that flickered at the edges.
Just as she began to catch her breath, she heard footsteps approaching. Alex turned, ready to fight or flee, but was relieved to see Derek emerge from the trees, his expression grim.
"Alex!" he called, his voice urgent. "Where's Scott?"
"He was attacked!" she stammered, her voice trembling. "We need to go back!"
"No." Derek shook his head, eyes scanning the area. "We have to regroup. Stick with me."
Before she could respond, another rustle came from the trees, and Alex felt her stomach drop. A moment later, Caleb and Lydia burst into the clearing, relief washing over their faces.
