Three menacing, large dogs burst into the clearing, growling and barking. On spotting the target they had been tracking, they immediately crouched, lips curled, revealing sharp, menacing teeth.
It was clear they wanted nothing more than to pounce on the humans in front of them. Thankfully, a sharp whistle rang out, halting their movement. They stood tense, muscles coiled, waiting for any hint of motion. Andrew collapsed, edging backward at the sight, which caused the K9s to bark and lunge toward him.
Fwee
Fwee
Two sharp whistles rang out again, and the dogs abruptly stopped, edging away from the group but still watching closely. Two men dashed from the forest, holding devices that looked like phones, though a bit bulky. One had a whistle in his mouth and an electric baton in the other hand.
Their eyes widened at the group before turning stern. One man leaned over, whispering into his colleague's ear. The other nodded, responding quietly.
"You three should stand down and not try anything suspicious. We have backup in a few seconds, so stay put." He waved his baton threateningly while signaling the other man away. The second man immediately activated a walkie-talkie, but static hissed in response. The noise was harsh, so he quickly turned it off. He then retrieved flares from his bag after some thought, and launched them into the sky.
The first man turned back to the group, sneering. "What are you lot doing here, and don't lie, or else." He slapped the baton on his palm menacingly. The group froze, unsure whether he was a gangster or a security officer.
Mike stood, prompting a low growl from the dogs. He paused, looking toward the officer for approval. A second whistle, done without equipment silenced the dogs, making Andrew and Isabella wonder what the whistle around the officer's neck did.
Mike dusted his trousers and began, "Truly, sorry if we've angered you. It's just that we got trapped here, that's all. I swear we aren't doing anything unlawful."
The officers snorted. "Expect us to believe your lies. You say you're lost—"
"Trapped," Chloe interrupted sharply. "Not lost. Trapped. We can't leave the clearing." The interruption angered and confused the speaking officer; he glanced at his colleague before turning back to Chloe, On looking closer at the girl that interrupted him he blinked repeatedly.
"The picture—where is it?" he demanded.
"What picture?" the other asked.
"The missing kids' picture. I think this one looks familiar." The officer searched his pockets, eyes lingering on Isabella, causing her to shiver. Finally, he found the picture and examined it.
"Bro, they aren't the same girl, though this one looks famil—"
"Ouch! Why did you hit me?" someone screamed in pain.
"This idiot," the dark-haired officer sneered, pointing at the right girl with his baton. His colleague's eyes widened, clearly noticing her beauty and linking her identity. She looked much more prettier than in the pictures .
"Madam, where is your friend?" the officer demanded. He turned to see her already walking toward another prone individual. Seeing their condition, he became more vigilant, immediately switching to a gun.
"You four—on the floor!" he shouted, pointing his weapon at each of them. Mike and Isabella's faces turned sour, but Andrew complied immediately, hands raised.
"Didn't you hear me?" he shouted, veins bulging.
"He needs help," a voice interjected. Chloe stepped forward, holding Sebastian, moving toward him.
"Stop!" he shouted, backing away. "I said stop!" His mind raced—these four were sending off warning signals in his head. Trapped, they said… how does one get trapped in a forest? And now she claims her friend needs help. Shouldn't you have carried the young one out and sought assistance, or couldn't you be bothered?
He reasoned: Can't let them get closer.
"You better stop!" he barked, gun still raised. "Or don't blame my fingers slipping!" Chloe halted, gently placing Sebastian down, exhaustion etched on her face, eyes burning with anger. Couldn't this idiot see the state he was in, yet he brandishes a gun? She wanted to strike him.
Despite her exhaustion, she calculated her next move. Her piercing stare caused both officers to shiver, instincts screaming: these people were dangerous.
At that moment, more people entered the clearing, surrounding the group. On seeing Sebastian, one officer immediately instructed them to get help. Jason raised his weapon, noticing the situation. The officer he signaled brought out a device, but the signal was poor. He attempted to leave the clearing but returned immediately; the time difference though was negligible, so no one questioned his actions.
The officer raised his head, bewildered at the sight. He looked behind, walked forward, returned, looking increasingly flustered. Chloe and the others realized what was happening, though the officers did not fully grasp it.
The officer stood stunned, rubbing his eyes, then walked into the clearing, leaving Jason and his colleague confused. Jason stepped back for safety, observing the other officer. The officer returned again, voice stuttering:
"What m-agi-c is this?"
"Magic?" the three officers questioned. He nodded. "I can't leave the clearing." This stunned the officer. Jason to was left baffled: didn't these people earlier claim they were trapped?
He instructed the other officer to complete the 'clowns' task. Passing the device, he left, only to collide with his colleague upon return. Isabella burst out laughing. Jason turned sharply, exclaiming: "What joke are you playing? Are you serious? Cant you do such a simple job?"
"Give it" He took the device and walked out returning just as quickly to the bewildered officers. he spun back to look at the clearing confused.
"Idiots," Mike cursed silently. Chloe attempted to explain to them so tried standing.
The dogs therefore began barking irritating Jason. "Take these things out of here," he ordered. he then spun to Chloe you sit and don't move.
"But boss, how am I—" the officer with the whistle asked.
"Don't interrupt me. Obey orders." He shouted. The officer sulked, walking the dogs away. He whistled, commanding them to leave the clearing. They obeyed, and he tried following ensuring they didn't stray however he returned losing sight of the dogs. Stopping abruptly, eyes wide, he looked around clearly confused.
Sebastian, watching, whispered to Chloe:"I think whatever is keeping us here has some how decreased in radius, Its now affecting a smaller area… and only humans, I think."
Chloe adjusted his head on her lap, puzzled."How do you know?" she asked.
"They took shorter times to return, looked dazed… the dogs didn't," he explained.
"Maybe it doesn't affect dogs," she finished, kissing his head in excitement. "You're a genius."
"Hey, you idiots!" she shouted, irritation laced in her voice. "Call your dogs back, tie the ropes to yourselves, and ask them to carry you away."
Her tone irritated Jason, so he turned to her and asked her to shut up. However, he complied. The officer whistled the dogs and waited for there arrival, but they did not return. On seeing this Sebastian frowned, reaching a grim conclusion: This thing dose not let sound out, he realized. This must be why early cries for help had gone unheard—this clearing somehow cancels noise.
He sighed, even more exhausted. Chloe shook him gently to keep him conscious."Why aren't the dogs coming? Is your whistle broken?" she demanded.
The officer shook his head, then brightened. "They'll return in a few minutes; they're trained." Jason nodded, realizing the same. "I wonder why they are not returning" He turned to the officer with the whistle "try one more time then we wait"
He then turned holstering his gun and began scratching his head. "Um… can you kids explain what is happening here?"
An hour later, everyone left the clearing, the officers frightened but relieved. They had immediately believed the story; after all, they had experienced the first stages themselves and on seeing what happened to Sebastian the symptoms he displayed: muddled memory, exhaustion, and amnesia the fear further deepened each of them wondering what came next after that and if this was there faith if the dogs did not return.
Thankfully the dogs did return a few minutes later. Ropes where then tied to each person, enabling them to leave. Interestingly, anyone leaving immediately loses memory of the clearing this was the reason why it took so long. The only reason they escaped was the officer remembered seeing a flare and couldn't find the colleague he was with. So he returned back to the main team, encountering more officers along the way. On returning he regained his memory and after further precaution where taken they all exited the clearing
Sebastian was then loaded to be transported to the hospital, condition being actively stabilized. On the way he meet with Alex, Jacob, and the girls who each promised to visit.
After Sebastian left, Alex attempted to question Chloe but could not, as they were being taken to the hospital due to dehydration symptoms such as dizziness and any others being recognized by the medical professionals. He then called Seb's mother, informing her he had been found. She scolded him for not answering her calls earlier or informing her of the incident.
This he had dreaded, hoping Sebastian would cushion the blow—but life rarely deals fair cards.