Grace stood absolutely still, trying to hold her breath. The slightest movement could stir the fog and The Cabin Dweller would have her skin. She shivered at the thought. The Cabin Dweller walked into the clearing, just as still as Grace. It’s back was to her, the flowing white robes hiding its body and the black hair draped on its back. It tilted its head back and began to sniff the air. Grace instinctively took a step back, forgetting the one piece of advice Tiran had offered her. Dead leaves crunched and The Cabin Dweller spun on her, body hunched and twisted as it snarled, bloody fangs exposed. Grace didn’t waste her breath screaming as she turned and ran, silently cursing her dress for slowing her down.

She could hear the crashing of each branch behind her and the slicing of its metal scythe hands. Grace forced each stride bigger than the last until her thighs were screaming and her lungs on fire, but she didn’t stop, sheer terror and adrenaline fueling her speed. She risked a glance over her shoulder. She had only a few meters and it was gaining rapidly. The bushes on either side disappeared into cliff walls. On the right side was a crevice. If she continued running it was guaranteed death. Grace grit her teeth and made one last push towards the opening.

Grace shoved her small body into the tight gap. The Cabin Dweller went sliding past, its momentum too great before it double backed. It put its fave to the crevice, sewed eyes in Grace’s direction as it sniffed and screeched. It pulled it’s face away and reached inside with one of its scythe shaped hands. Grace screamed and tried to back up further but her body became trapped between the two walls. Grace looked to her right. The small cave continued into a small cavern. If she could move past this point then she could walk down the cavern. Anything in there would be a blessing compared to the horror she’d face at the end of the metal blades digging at the entrance, accompanied by screeching.

Grace pushed her air out and held her breath as she attempted to shift her body further towards the cavern. The rocks pressed harshly into her chest and back, nearly lodging her in place, but she pressed through the pain as she heard the fabric of her dress tear. Her torso was compressed and she could hardly breathe. Her lungs were burning and her vision was beginning to leave her when finally she’d earned enough clearance and her body lurched free, sending her to the ground.

Grace ignored the dust that spurred up and stuck to her sweat covered body as The Cabin Dweller continued screeching and scratching at the entrance, which Grace could hardly see now, in vain. Grace groaned quietly as she pushed her body up, knowing she needed to continue. She leaned agains the caver wall, careful to stay away from the narrow, but visibly steep fissure in the middle. As she continued further, the sounds of The Cabin Dweller died away, but so did her ability to see. Grace tapped her foot in multiple spots, pushed some of her weight forward to check for stability before taking a full step forward. It made for slow progress, but at least ensured her survival.

When Grace finally saw daylight again, she practically ran towards the opening. She found herself in a lush green forest, not an ounce of fog in sight. Grace sighed in relief and threw herself on the ground against a tree, utterly exhausted. Just has her eyes began to close she suddenly heard the parting of leaves. Grace was on her feet in a moment.

“Who’s there!” She called, trying to sound intimidating, but the attempt fell flat, instead sounding as tired and worn as she looked and felt.

The man clicked his tongue and had a smug smile on his thin lips as he walked from behind another tree. His green eyes sparkled with amusement.

“You survived. And to think I almost had begun to mourn your death,” he chuckled. Grace hissed at him.

“Shut up, Venom. I got what you wanted.”

Venom’s look became hungry. Grace reached into her pocket and revealed a small black and purple ring, opal gems embedded in the band. He stepped closer and tried to reach for it before Grace snatched it away.

“Not until you fulfill your end of the bargain,” she growled.