Trees, branches, and leaves blocked our view, fortunately, to our benefit.
From the time of the shot to the red turning river wasn't far apart.
I'd prefer to not play detective, trying to find out who shot something or worse... someone.
"Let us head away".
I whispered, walking further into the woods, with Togeka carefully stuck to me, step by step.
After a few scratches from trees and bushes, we stumbled across a small hut in the middle of the forest.
It is briddled with a greenish-brown tone. A strong wind gust will surely wreck it down, leaving debris all over.
"Two boys shouldn't play that late inside a forest, don't they?"
Before we were able to close the gap, a deep, gleaming voice appeared behind our backs.
The birds stopped singing, the wind slowed down and the air became increasingly heavier.
Immediately we turned our heads.
Our breath stopped as we gazed at a large man's face, his features twisted into a sinister, wide grin, with a large rifle sitting on his back.
We froze, not able to form a simple sentence.
"Mhhh... are you two lost?"
"Y-yea... we live in the nearby village and came across this hut, hoping to find somebody willing to help us"
Even when it felt like my throat was filled with heavy air, I was able to push out a sentence.
"I see... it is too late and dangerous now to go back. You can stay overnight"
I didn't want it to come to this. Staying overnight with him? It seemed like the death itself had invited us.
Against my will, I nodded involuntarily.
Togeka glanced at me as he wanted to say to me, 'Are you crazy?'. Sorry, but we have no choice.
"Then follow me."
As he began walking, a dead female body was revealed, being in his custody.
He held her legs, dragging the corpse on the ground, emitting a dust cloud
A shock ran down Togekas' spine, almost tripping over himself.
'Seems like he never saw a corpse in his life'
Just don't let the dread overcome you, doing any particular move could led us lead us to death
********************
"Come inside my palace, dear guests"
With an unsettling feeling down my gut, I went through the door, held open by the creepy, large man, followed by Togeka and Chemmy, who sat up his head, camouflaged.
The inside was pitch black, barely seeing my own feet.
To make it worse, the air was filled with the smell of decaying flesh.
The man smacked the corpse next to the sink and lit up a lantern he grabbed from the shelf after entering the living room.
After the light filled the room, I was greeted by a horrifying view.
I stood right in front of a big, large shelf, filled with numerous human skulls, adorned with colorful paint and gunshot holes.
Gulp...
'We have to get away from this maniac as soon as possible'
Otherwise, we will end like that...
Turning around, I bumped into the man grinning joyfully at me.
"Do you like my collection?"
Not sure what to answer to his question, I went with a simple...
"Yeah. Creative and cool creation!"
"These were my friends. I've painted the skulls with their favorite color hihi."
His creepy attitude gave me chills. If possible, just get me out of here on the name of the devil.
But...
"What happened to your 'friends'?"
"They wanted to leave me, so I made sure they stayed with me"
He rasped calmly, followed by an unsettling grin I couldn't imagine having in my worst nightmares.
For short, if Togeka and I try to escape, we'll end up being the birds in his little hunting game.
Surveying the area, a shock went through my body like a lightning strike hitting me.
'Where's Togeka?!'
Don't tell that he left me behind...? He's sure to kill me, if Togeka fled.
Fortunately to my luck, he hasn't noticed his absence. Waiting calmly, the possibility of escaping surely increases. On the other hand, if I take too much time, He'll drill a bullet inside my skull. I would appreciate, not ending as a part of his weird museum of skulls.
"I haven't eaten anything today, friend. I really could have some food between my teeth".
He tilted his head to the side, followed by clapping his hands out of excitement with a joyful tone coming out of his mouth.
"But with pleasure! As long as my precious guests aren't starving"
With slow, creaking steps, caused by the loosened wooden floor, he made his way back to the kitchen. His back is facing towards me.
I took the opportunity to carefully find a way out of here.
He's carrying a gun on his back so walking out of his door like this would lead me to get shot in no time.
"Blow out the candle! Quick!"
Suddenly a familiar voice appeared out of nowhere. As if the wind is whispering right into my ear.
'What?!'
"I'll explain it later. Do what I say and don't hesitate running through the door"
That was Togeka's voice for sure! But where the hell is He hiding?!
Still looking for where the voice came from, I extinguished the fire of the lamp by throwing it down the dining table.
Without taking a second to stay, I immediately rushed towards the door. As I opened it, the light of the Moon shone through the open crack.
The man, bewildered and not moving a single finger, recognized the silhouette of mine rushing out. Instinctively, he reached out for his weapon on his back. But to his surprise, it disappeared.
As I ran, creating distance between myself and the man, I sensed a voice further behind me.
"Fellra!"
Surprised with a glimpse of confusion on my face, I turned my head back, seeing Togeka having his arms wrapped around the rifle gun running away exhaustingly.
'Where did he come from? And more importantly, how did he manage to get his gun?!'
I've slowed down my speed, so Togeka manages to catch up to me with his Chameleon Chemmy who sat on top of the riffle.
With every step we take, the more we get surrounded by branches and more darkness, caused by the dense trees.
"Let us rest here. If we go further we might get lost."
I suggested, sitting down on the cold ground with my back against a tree surrounded by sticks and leaves.
"With pleasure..."
Togeka panted like a dog out of exhaustion, laid the rifle upwards, against a big wooden huge bench on the ground, and wiped the sweat of his forehead away.
A few seconds passed as we enjoyed the peaceful break. No words were exchanged between each other. just silence
"Say Togeka. Where have you been the whole time?"
He twitched as I broke the silent, calm atmosphere. He owes me an explanation after leaving me all alone.
"I think I can't follow your words?"
"After you left me, where have you been? And how did you obtain the rifle out of his custody?"
Togeka tilted his head with crossed arms, trying to figure out what I meant.
"OH! I haven't left you behind! I used Chemmy to camouflage myself!
I was baffled. What does it mean, he used his pet?! Is he just playing with me? How could a chameleon help him to hide?!
As I tried to figure out what he meant, he began to let a small giggle out
"Hahaha... I'll show you!"
With a swing, he jumped off the wooden branch, walking towards a large, light gray rock, covered with grass on the peak. Togeka laid his hands on the rock, and within a second, he disappeared!
I spread my eyes wide open in disbelief.
'There shouldn't be a reason to be surprised after all the encounters...but still.'
This Chameleon already acted unnaturally. Now I figured out why!
Togeka began to reappear in front of the rock where he had stood before. I glanced at Chemmy for a short time, then locked eye contact with Togeka.
"Surprised, huh? Can't blame you for that!"
Yeah, I was surprised. Having him as a companion can only have benefits next to Hira.
I jumped off the ground, walking towards him. But without a warning, a pitch-black hole appeared below my feet.
Before knowing what was going to happen, I fell through it, landing inside a room that had odd similarities with those of the prison we'd been in before we entered that door. Next to me, Togeka and Chemmy as puzzled as I
'Why the hell are we here?!'
Not knowing what happened, I opened the door of the room next to me.
I glanced surprisingly, noticing that it was the spot where we went through the odd door.
'Perhaps we've finished the Hell Floor?'
But what have we done to get back here?! Did the killer die in our absence? No... maybe it has to do with the gun we obtained?
However, the fact that we survived mattered the most! And with that, we finished our first Hell Floor!
'What an exhausting day...'
First the Prison, then the devil, followed by the eerie forest. Perhaps it might be healthy to get some rest.
"Let's talk another day. I need some sleep"
Togeka nodded. He seemed to be tired as well. I glanced at him briefly saying goodbye before heading towards my room.
With dark circles below my eyes and a misty view, I didn't hesitate to jump on my bed after entering my Room.
I was lightened to get some rest on the comfortable white bed.
However, before closing my eyes, the gadget on the night table began to glow and vibrate.
'huh...?'