HER KIND

Through the Tunnel

'Chapter 39'

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Sparks of green ice flakes floated like glittering fireflies, shimmering in the faint light as Dria stepped out of the car. The air was thick with an unnatural chill, each flake settling on her eyelashes, hair, and coat's dark fabric. 

They were beautiful, fragile things—an eerie kind of beauty marred by the grim reality they represented. These weren't harmless winter gifts; they were the remnants of destruction her little brothers had unleashed.

Reaching out, she let the delicate shards collect in her palm, the cold biting against her skin before they melted into drops of green-tinted water. The vibrant hue faded almost instantly, vanishing into the air like a fleeting memory. Dria's gaze shifted to the twins, who stood motionless, their hands clasped so tightly it was as if they were anchoring each other to this world.

She hesitated, the weight of what they'd done keeping her rooted for a heartbeat too long. Her eyes swept across the ground, careful to avoid the jagged remains of what had once been bodies—now splintered and scattered by the ice roots that had burst forth, only to vanish again.

Behind her, Kane shadowed her movements, his steps cautious, mirroring her unease. The rest of the group stayed frozen in the vehicles, their silence a testament to the awe and horror hanging thick in the icy air.

Standing before them, they both raised their heads to meet her eyes. She thought the movement was eerie, haunting as if they were a horror movie duo. Their eyes still glowed a mixture of blue and green.

She crouched before them and held out both of her hands toward them, she smiled lightly, "You guys did a good job, let's get you back in the car boys,"

"But more are coming," the twins said in unison.

"That's fine, let your big sister take care of them, you did good okay," she begged, "come on."

For a moment their eyes seemed stubborn as if waiting to defeat the oncoming enemies searching for them but Dria let out her breath when the twins placed their hands in hers. She held on to them tight and led them back to the van that waited humming roughly.

Once in the car, her father didn't wait another second before speeding off, down the mountain.

The hum of the van's engine grew louder as they sped away, but Dria couldn't shake the tension tightening in her chest. She sat between the twins, their small hands still clutching hers, their grip icy but steady. Though their eyes had stopped glowing, the eerie afterimage lingered in her mind. Kane sat across from her, his face etched with worry as he stared out the back window. The dark forest flashed by in streaks, but the looming presence of their pursuers weighed heavily on them all.

"They're closer now," one of the twins murmured, their voices blending as if they shared a single thought. Dria tensed but forced a calm smile for their sake. She pulled them closer, her voice soft but firm. "It's okay. They won't get to us." The boys exchanged a glance, their expressionless faces making her wonder how much of their innocence was already lost.

Up front, her father's voice broke the silence. "We'll hit the crossroads in three minutes," he said, his tone clipped, his focus unwavering. Seraphine leaned forward, her fingers tracing a map spread across her lap. "The tunnel entrance is just beyond it. If we're blocked there—" She paused, her green eyes narrowing. "We'll have to fight."

Dria tightened her grip on the twins, her stomach sinking at the thought. From the corner of her eye, Kane shifted, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade. Everyone seemed to brace for what lay ahead.