"Who would've done this?" Nicolas asked.
"Maybe someone wanted people to see this… and leave," Sierra said.
"I guess so…" Nicolas said.
"Then, should we rest here?" Sierra said tiredly.
They were exhausted from the long journey. They want to find a shelter where they can sleep without any danger from wild animals.
"This building is better than others but.. I am having an oblivious feeling." Nicolas said hesitantly.
"Are you saying you are freaking out just because these words that no one knows are real or fake?" Sierra is teasing Nicolas.
"That's not it, I was just..." Nicolas said while being low-spirited.
"Ok, let's check the priest's room. There should be a bed," Sierra said.
They went to the priest's room to rest there.
"Hey, Nicolas, the room is closed from the inside," Sierra said.
"Let me check," Nicolas said.
Nicolas tries to open the door to enter, but he can't open it. He also tries to use force against it, but it doesn't budge.
"There was outside a window in the church. I guess it was for the priest room," Sierra said.
"Ok, I'll go from the window and open the door," Nicolas said.
"I will wait here," Sierra said.
Nicolas tries to see from the window, but he can't see anything because it is so dirty that he cannot see past it.
So, Nicolas tried to open it, but it wouldn't open.
"I should just break it up," Nicolas said.
[SMASH]
Nicolas broke the window.
He enters the room and opens the door.
[CLACK]
Sierra enters the room.
"Why was it locked from the inside? When no one is in the room." Sierra asked suspiciously.
Nicolas saw an old-looking alcohol bottle on the shelf.
"I don't know. How would he or she exit like this? But left such a thing here." Nicolas said while staring at the Wine.
Nicolas moves and grabs the wine.
And said "I guess 200.. No, 300 years old, yeah. It is around 300 years old."
Nicolas was smiling while hugging the wine.
[SIGH]
"Nicolas, this is not the time for this," Sierra said maturely.
"This is a clean and better place than any in this town. Its walls are also looking in good shape. Otherwise, there are so many houses looking like they will collapse just from the brink of touch." Sierra said while putting the luggage on the floor.
"Yeah, it's far better than those old and moldy houses. Let's stay here tonight." Nicolas said.
"So, Umm, where would you like to sleep?" Sierra asked hesitantly.
"I will sleep on the floor and you will be in the bed," Nicolas said.
Around 7:30 (Twilight)
"Ok, so let's eat dinner," Sierra said.
"Oh, I also bought some food from the station back then." Nicolas said
[Groan]
[Thump Thump Thump]
[Shhhh]
When Nicolas and Sierra started eating, they started hearing some strange noises. These noises are unlike those of any wild animals. They were coming from every side.
"Nicolas, are these the sounds of wild animals?" Sierra whispers
[Shhh]
"Don't make any noises. They will hear us." Nicolas said to Sierra. "Wild animals sense of hearing are sharp"
Nicolas peeks from the window slightly and then goes back in for a slight second. He was looking like his world had become upside down.
"What did you see?" Sierra whispered.
Nicolas was sweating in the cold weather of the night.
Nicolas grabs Sierra's hand and tries to sneak
"Nicolas, what are you doing? What did you see there?" Sierra whispers.
"Shhh," Nicolas replied.
"Don't make any noises" Nicolas whispers while terrified.
Sierra knew something was going on, but she didn't ask Nicolas after seeing his state.
Sierra thought
Was it a lion… or a tiger.
[Boom]
The wall just cracked open. And the scene Sierra is seeing is beyond reality.
The thing in front of Sierra is looking like neither an animal nor a human.
Something in between
The monster has the head of a human and the body of an ox who is standing on two legs with those wings of his.
It gives chills down her spine.
Is it… real or am I hallucinating from tiredness?
Sierra was so scared she couldn't move an inch.
Swish!
Nicolas suddenly pulled her backward, shielding her from whatever that thing was. They stumbled back, desperate to put distance between themselves and it. Without thinking, they ran out of the church.
"What was that thing earlier?" Nicolas asked, breathing hard.
"How the hell should I know?" Sierra snapped.
"We need to get out of this town. That was a demon, right?" he said.
Nicolas slowly peeked ahead.
The sight froze him.
Only one word escaped his mouth.
"What the fuck…"
The entire town was surrounded by creatures—dozens of them, lurking in the shadows.
"Nicolas, we need to leave now," Sierra whispered into his ear. "It's not safe here."
"I know," his eyes were still scanning the monsters. "But we'll have to get past them first."
"So… Do you have any idea?" She whispered, panic creeping into her voice.
"What the hell are we supposed to do now?" Sierra whispered, her voice trembling.
Nicolas scanned the area, his eyes moving carefully from one shadow to another. "We find a spot where there are fewer of them," he said quietly. "Then we sneak through."
"Okay. I'll check the left—you take the right," Sierra said.
They moved slowly, barely daring to breathe. Their eyes darted from dark corners to broken buildings, counting every distorted shape, every slight movement.
Suddenly, Sierra tugged at Nicolas's sleeve.
"Sir… over there," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "There are fewer monsters there."
Nicolas followed her gaze. His jaw tightened.
"That's our way out," he murmured.
"Let's move," Nicolas whispered, already stepping forward.
Sierra nodded, her voice barely audible. "Quietly… and swiftly. Don't let them notice us."
Nicolas advanced first, every muscle in his body tense. Sierra followed close behind him, watching their surroundings, her eyes darting from shadow to shadow. The creatures—those distorted, twitching shapes—were scattered nearby, unaware of their presence.
For a moment, it seemed they might make it.
They slipped past the monsters.
One step.
Two.
Three—
Stab.
A sharp, splintered branch pierced through Nicolas's palm.
"Ah—!" He bit back his scream, but it was too late.
Blood spilled down his hand, warm and thick, dripping onto the cold ground below.
Sierra's heart dropped.
The monsters froze.
Their heads slowly turned.
They sniffed.
The smell of fresh blood reached them.
Their bodies stiffened.
Their breathing changed.***