Lila felt justified in her belief that they would not be attacked in the forest. With zero proof and even less odds, Lila fully believed it. How could this hope filled reunion with one of her closest companions be ruined. The forest is no longer a death sentence, only a challenge. A comfortable and effortless challenge based on how loud she is speaking. Camrin smiles awkwardly at Lila.
"Lills, try to keep your voice down. You already refused to cover your tracks and scent."
"Cam, I am not rolling around in the mud like a pig. And what's the point; if somebody finds us, we'll look like idiots. And covering our tracks takes time. The faster we move, the less likely an animal will chase us. Trust me I know."
"You got attacked by a wild animal?"
"Yeah. They're not really concerned with human affairs; we just happen to be in the way. They won't actively hunt us down." Lila says proudly
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. I just told you I was chased down by one. I know better." Lila suddenly turns around, remembering the creature they brought with them.
"Why is it there? Is serves us no purpose to bring her along. And by the way, if you're so concerned with covering our tracks, you should look back because it's leaving a trail of slimy glob wherever it goes."
Camrin looks back and pauses. "She's removing our scent and tracks as best as she can with her slime."
"You don't know that. Stop trying to defend it. How did you even get it out again? -Never mind. But still, doesn't this call attention to us, like you're so afraid of."
" Not really; huge beasts are not an oddity in these woods, based on the paw prints we are seeing. Not many animals would follow along this track with the scent hidden and branches snapped right off the trees. They don't want to fight something bigger than them." Lila looks critically at Lilith
"Yeah, honey I don't think that going to cut it. The animals in these woods are double, even triple this thing's size. Sure, it wouldn't be an easy hunt, but your little thing over here is not going to stop anything if a beast is truly looking out for something to play with." Camrin panics for a second before reassuring herself that they are don't all they can do. She put in the effort. Now whatever happens, happens. Hopefully it's not her death but sti-
"God, Cam, isn't this awesome. I feel so free." Lila spins around in a circle with her arms spread wide, while Camrin stares at her, confused.
"It's freezing, Lills. I'm wrapping all I have around me just to keep moving and you're over here dancing to miles of hard snow and dark forest. Geez, you sure came out prepared with a tolerant body and hopeful attitude."
"What? You think we won't make it out of here unscathed. Camrin, stop worrying. We're back together. It's just like normal days. We're still on Earth, whatever crazy traveler lied to you just wanted to scare you. This is like when we took a hike and got lost and you started panicking. Everything is going to be alright; we'll finish the hike and go back. Then we'll find out what gang decided to kidnap us. Some of Stacey's buddies are on the illegal side, I hear. Besides you're overexaggerating how cold it is. It's all in your mind. Just relax. We're together now." Lila says it with so much belief that Camrin wonders if she went insane and imagined being able to talk with Lilith.
[You did not imagine anything. Keep your head on. Do not start losing your crap]
Camrin looks back at Lila, who looks to be thriving in this harsh environment, glowing even. Everything about her seems to change out here. Her attitude, her tolerance. And the way her personality switched? Her opinions too? She must be going through a rough time processing everything going on. Pitying her friend, Camrin keeps pace with Lila and tries to entertain and distract her friend. She might be freezing and scared, but Lila is in denial, and in places like these, that is much more dangerous.
"Lills, stop walking so fast. Some of us are not as athletic as you. Please take pity on my poor soul." Camrin smiles and Lila laughs so hard, it echoes into the forest, returning with the steady flap of birds in the opposite direction. Camrin suddenly gets really uncomfortable. Why does Lila find everything funny now? And why does this sense seem so familiar? The birds, the echoes, the feeling of something coming. Camrin quickly catches up to Lila, grabbing her unusually warm hand, and covering her mouth with her ice cold one. Hissing like a snake, Camrin whispers quietly in Lila's ear, "Stop that. Something is out there. Can you please lower your voice for one minute". Insulted, Lila pushes her friend's arm off of her.
"I'm not going to listen to advice coming from someone who can't handle a little cold. The snow must be freezing you brain right out, because I told you, we're safe, now stop it."
"Lila, what's wrong with you. Why are you switching up so quickly? You never used to be this judgment and moody. You should know better than I do that you need to stop attracting attention here."
"I do know better than you. That's why I'm telling you to stop. And fyi you were never like this before. You used to be happy around us--around me, since Stacey is not in the picture anymore. Now you're just annoying and pathetic."
"Yeah, well we weren't in a forest about to die. Lila, we've known each other for two years, why are you actin like this." Lila storms off angerly, shoes full of snow. Camrin stares after her, confused. The absurd story of Stacey kicking Lila out of a perfectly good shelter are getting more and more believable as she spends more time with Lila. Maybe they both went crazy? Shaking her head, lost, Camrin turns back to her creature. She goes up to her then stops beside her, thinking up the best way to reach Lilith's ears. Then she realizes she doesn't even know where Lilith's ears are and what they look like. Just as she lowers her hands, a 3-foot limb lashes out and picks up Camrin like a doll and-wait she has more than five limbs? Quickly and without warning, another limb rips out of Lilith's body and stops right in front of Camrin's face. It's so close that she gets a taste of the slime always coating the creature's skin. Nervous and unstable Camrin whispers,
"Lilith. Do you know what's going on? Why is Lila acting like this."
[Would you get upset if I told you that this remains none of your concern anymore. Lila... She is experiencing many things right now. Do not stick your head in too deep, too early or you'll get swallowed. For now, your claim on that friend is at the end of the list.]
"Claim? What in the world. Actually, what in both worlds?" Before Camrin could continue whining, she was dropped gently on the frozen floor a couple of feet away, and the extra limb Lilith grew disappeared again. Turning back, Camrin finds Lila standing there, rolling her eyes, hands on hips, anger etched into every line on her face.
"Are you going to come or not?" Camrin looks helplessly back at Lilith, who shakes a singular hidden limb at her side. Camrin pouts, following after Lila like her creature told her.