The forest path felt longer than before.
Chris walked beside Haru in silence.
Dry leaves crunched softly under their feet as they moved between tall, shadowed trees. Moonlight slipped through the branches in thin silver lines, lighting the way just enough to see.
Haru walked ahead, alert as always.
But something was different.
Chris noticed it.
His body was cautious.
His eyes were scanning.
But his mind…
Was somewhere else.
Ever since that cloaked man had appeared and spoken to him, Haru had become quieter than usual.
Lost.
Chris tried to walk faster to match his steps.
After a few minutes of silence, she finally spoke.
"So…"
No response.
She tried again.
"That man… who was he?"
Haru didn't even turn his head.
"Someone from the past."
"That's not an answer."
Silence.
Chris sighed.
"You know, you save me again and again, but you never tell me anything."
Still nothing.
She folded her arms.
"This is getting annoying."
Haru finally spoke, but his voice was calm and distant.
"You don't need to know everything."
Chris frowned.
"I think I do."
He stopped walking suddenly.
Chris almost bumped into him.
He turned slightly, just enough for her to see the edge of his mask in the moonlight.
"Knowing too much will only put you in danger."
His tone ended the conversation.
Chris didn't argue anymore.
They continued walking in silence.
After almost an hour of walking through the forest, Haru slowed down.
Chris looked ahead.
A faint wooden structure appeared between the trees.
The treehouse.
Relief hit her immediately.
At the same time—
Lily, who had been anxiously waiting below, spotted her.
"Chris!"
She ran forward without thinking.
Chris barely had time to react before Lily wrapped her arms tightly around her.
Lily quickly pulled back and started checking her.
"Are you hurt? Did they touch you? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine!" Chris laughed softly.
Henry walked forward too.
His expression was serious.
His eyes immediately went to Haru.
"Where is Twilight?"
Haru's voice came calmly.
"I didn't bring him."
Henry's face changed instantly.
"What do you mean you didn't bring him?!"
"I prioritized Chris."
Henry clenched his fists.
"He was with those guards too!"
Haru looked at him with a flat expression behind the mask.
"He can handle himself."
Henry stepped closer.
"He's injured!"
The tension in the air thickened.
Chris stepped between them.
"Stop. Please."
Lily also grabbed Henry's arm.
"Not now."
Henry looked furious but stepped back.
They all climbed up into the treehouse.
Inside, it felt safer.
Small lanterns made from glass jars glowed softly, lighting the wooden space.
Beau sat in a corner, watching them quietly.
Compared to the others, he looked like the only child in a room full of exhausted adults.
He stood up.
His body shimmered faintly.
And within seconds, he transformed into an older teenager.
Taller.
More mature.
Easier to take seriously.
Lily blinked.
"I don't think I'm ever getting used to that."
Beau shrugged.
"It's easier to talk like this."
Haru moved toward a small wooden table.
There were supplies there.
Dry fruits.
Water.
Packed food.
He calmly placed them out for everyone.
"Eat."
No one moved.
Henry sat down but didn't touch anything.
Lily looked away.
Chris folded her arms.
Beau watched silently.
Haru noticed.
His voice became colder.
"Eat."
Henry shook his head.
"Not until Twilight is here."
Lily nodded.
Chris quietly agreed.
Haru's posture stiffened.
For the first time, irritation slipped into his tone.
"You think starving yourselves will help him?"
No answer.
He stepped closer to the table.
"You need strength."
Still no one moved.
Suddenly Haru slammed his hand on the table.
The sound echoed in the small treehouse.
"EAT."
His voice was sharp, commanding.
They all looked at him, stunned.
"You are alive because you still have energy to stand," he continued.
"You are worried about your friend? Then stay alive long enough to help him."
Silence filled the room.
Chris slowly stepped forward first.
She picked up a small food pack.
Lily followed.
Then Henry.
Beau too.
They all quietly started eating.
Haru stepped back toward the window and looked outside into the dark forest.
He didn't touch any food himself.
Lily noticed.
"You're not eating?"
"I don't need to."
Henry watched him carefully.
The anger he felt earlier was still there.
But now it was mixed with something else.
Confusion.
Questions.
Chris sat down beside Lily.
Her voice was soft.
"He saved me again."
Lily nodded.
Henry stayed silent.
Beau looked between all of them.
"This night is not over yet," he said quietly.
Everyone looked at him.
"The forest is restless."
Haru's eyes narrowed slightly as he continued staring into the darkness.
He could feel it too.
Something was moving.
Something bigger than monsters.
Something old.
And somewhere in that dark forest—
Twilight was still out there.