After a long and exhausting journey, Oliver slept in his seat beside his friend. Despite the bumpy road and the noisy, groaning carriage's wheels, Oliver felt safe and secure with his head resting on Gregory's shoulder. As the night went on, Oliver and Gregory dozed off, resting their eyes in peaceful slumber.

     As time passes, the void-like night sky begins to transform. Speckles of stars slowly dissipate as the first light of dawn with reddish-orange hues blends into the deep blue. But, on the far horizon, dark clouds as grey as metal approached rapidly, obscuring the sunrise.

     As the minutes fly by and the carriage makes more progress towards the city, the red-orange hues of the sunrise begin to consume the dark blue sky. Gradually, the vibrant colours become soft yellow-orange, and the once dark blue sky becomes lighter, taking on a pastel hue. As the vehicle continues, the landscape changes as small buildings and establishments appear in the distance.

     Soon, the carriage finally finds and reaches a small dirt trail leading to one of the city's gateways. Despite the change in terrain, tall patches of sharp grass surround the vehicle nonetheless. As the carriage rolls down, the path turns bumpier, and the wheels hit tiny rocks and pebbles on the soil.

"Ugh..." Oliver groaned, his eyes still shut.

Instantly awakened by the bumpy trail, Gregory noticed his friend resting on his shoulder. "Oli...?" he whispered into Oliver's ear.

The warmth of Gregory's breath stirred Oliver, and he opened his eyes. "Are we home?" he asked, groggy.

"I thought we were going to the City Hall?" Gregory reminded him.

"Oh, yeah... right," Oliver scratched his head.

"We're almost near the city, though," Gregory informed him, gazing out the window.

"That's nice," Oliver yawned. "But... I could use some more sleep..." he rested his eyes and snored.

Gregory nodded, settling back into his seat. "Then, let's get some more rest while we can," he said.

     Suddenly, Oliver's eyes opened. He jumped from his seat and scanned the area through the closed window, but he saw nothing but tall grass that reached the glass. He tried the opposite window. However, he still couldn't spot anything but the ocean of greenery.

"What's the matter?" Gregory asked curiously, staring at his friend with concern, but there was no response. "...What happened? Is there something wrong?"

Oliver didn't answer the question but swiftly alerted the coachman. "Sir, hasten up if you please!" he knocked on the window.

"Oli, what in the world is going on?" Gregory asked again, raising his voice this time.

"Sir, hasten! Please!" Oliver addressed the coachman as he knocked on the window, raising his voice but still maintaining a respectful tone.

As the carriage picked up speed, Gregory, about to look out the window, fell back into his seat. He was concerned that Oliver was up to some mischief. "Oliver, answer me! What's going on? Are you up to some mischief?"

"No," Oliver said with terror masking his face. He then sat in front of his friend, leaning forward. "I sense something..." he whispered.

"Sense something...?" Gregory raised an eyebrow.

"I feel something is following us," Oliver stated.

"Okay, you must be joking," Gregory felt sceptical.

"Please! Believe me. My father had this feeling too... when... when assassins were surrounding us," Oliver tried convincing Gregory, grasping his wrists.

"...A Podeshire instinct?"

"Perhaps?" Oliver replied, gazing at the window.

"...What're you feeling?" Gregory queried.

"Fear!" Oliver answered, almost stuttering his words.

"No. I mean... what do you think is pursuing us?" Gregory asked, looking concerned.

"A human... no, I think it's an animal. I don't know how many, but I can sense it following us!" Oliver replied as his breath quivered.

"Did you see it...?"

"What?"

"Did you see it...!?"

"I did not. But I can feel it!" Oliver replied as his voice trembled.

"Okay, I will trust you because you are my friend," Gregory said, grabbing Oliver's hands. "I have faith in you."

"Okay..." Oliver said, trying to remain calm.

Gregory nodded slightly, smiling at his friend. "Everything will be alright..."

Oliver nodded back with his lips tightened. "...I do not care how nervous I am right now. I think it'll be not okay if I don't stay to protect the gate..." he stated.

"What do you mean?" Gregory asked, his smile turning into a frown.

"Sir! Take Gregory to the Alcadee Residence!" Oliver shouted a message for the coachman outside.

"Wait, what!? Oli!" Gregory's head shook between his friend and the coachman outside.

     Quickly seizing the door handle, Oliver flings open the carriage door wide. The wind tousles his hair as he stands on the carriage steps. While holding tightly onto the doorknob, he balances himself against the jostling motion of the swift, moving carriage.

"Oliver!" Gregory yelled in a panic as he tried to pull his friend back inside the carriage.

"Sir, take Gregory home! Don't stop!" Oliver commanded the coachman, staring at the horizon. Oliver then looked at Gregory and smiled at him. "I'll see you back home."

"No, Oli, wait!" Gregory pleaded as he hurried towards Oliver, trying to reach for his hand.

     Before Gregory could pull Oliver back into the carriage, Oliver leapt off the vehicle, landing safely on the ground. Oliver glanced around, gazing at the ocean of greenery with a straight back and puffed chest. Seeing no danger, Oliver turned towards the city gate and watched as it opened to let the carriage pass through.

     A sudden, crunching sound catches Oliver's ear, and he quickly turns around to face the green horizon. Although he sees no visible life forms nearby, Oliver remains alert and glances at his sides before fixing his gaze on the distance ahead. He slowly paces back as his eyes glance left and right.

     The high-pitched chirping of the crickets fills the surroundings. But, suddenly, all of the insects fall silent at once, creating an eerie and unsettling stillness. The world seems to hold its breath, and Oliver can only hear the smooth, gentle breeze and his heartbeat. He then freezes, staring ahead.