Angelica, followed closely by Athar, left the perimeter of the camp and began heading deeper into the forest. The density of trees in this part of the forest was far higher than where they had been camping. It was difficult to see more than few feet ahead, not that it was possible in the darkness of the night.
As they walked through the thickening darkness, a cold, creeping unease began to climb up Athar's spine. He had no idea what Angelica intended, and despite the panic and faint fear he had begun to associate with her, he had no choice but to stick close behind. He did not want to ambushed and killed by a beast even before he got to know what did Angelica wanted.
The forest, as they headed deeper, felt alive with distant growls and the occasional crackle of movement, and Athar kept his senses sharp, alert to every noise, every shadow. Yet, strangely, no beast came near them.
"T… Teacher…" he stammered after a while. They had gone more than a kilometre into the forest.
