Alix’s POV:

Alix could feel the wind on her face and the excitement bubbling from inside her. She had no desire to stop running were it not for her twin’s persistent calls.

“Alix, slow down!,” Amaya panted, as she finally caught up with her sister.

“But I can’t wait to finally explore the woods!,” I complained, gesturing to the area of the park consumed by shadows.

“You know that those who go in the woods, never come back, right?”

“Yes, Amaya, I know. Don’t you want to know what truly goes on in these woods though?”

Amaya began to shift nervously. “Well yes, but what if something happens? What if we never return?”

“We’ll be fine. Those stories are just myths you know.” And with that final word, I entered the woods with Amaya close behind. Little did we know, disaster would soon strike and one of us would never be the same.

Amaya’s POV:

Five minutes in, I began hearing whispers and had the feeling someone was following us. I looked over my shoulder but couldn’t see anyone and when I turned back to warn Alix, she was gone.

I was terrified now. I was lost in the dark woods and I no longer had my fearless sister by my side. I frantically began whispering my sister’s name which quickly became screaming.

“Alix! Alix! Where are you?!” I stopped yelling to listen for a response. I opened my mouth to call again when I heard another frantic scream echo my own. This time the scream was calling my name. It was Alix!

I sprinted in the direction of Alix’s screams but I knew it was a trap immediately. Alix was lying motionless on the ground and a gnarly creature stood over her. The creature opened its mouth but instead the sound of Alix’s screams came out.

A feeling of dread settled into the pit of my stomach. I knew it was too late for Alix. I knew she was one of those who would never return. The creature lunged at me before I had the chance to even think about Alix. I turned on my heel and ran.

I could feel the creature gaining and I focused on my goal, I just had to make it out of the woods. I could see the sun shining through the trees and felt a feeling of relief begin to bubble up. Until I heard a large crack and tried over a tree root. The creature pounced and was bearing down on me, when his head popped up and he retreated. I immediately rose and moved to escape the woods while I still could. I had sprained my ankle but I managed to hobble out of the woods.

I collapsed immediately after stepping out of the forest and sobbed. I knew that Alix was gone and I would never know what had become of her. I didn’t know how I could go on without my best friend and better half.