》Hey guys! Part 1 was a doozey to write, but this part should not be so difficult. Thanks for sticking around for Part 2! 《

"Come on, Lark... We can't be too far from the exit."

"What about the others?!"

Berthälemeu kept a tight hold on his little sister's wrist, nearly dragging her behind him everywhere he went. They were both drenched with sweat from their long run through the gloomy forest. Their phones, shining their brightest light into the darkness, were the only objects around that could grant them sight.

"We can't think about them right now. Just keep running, okay?" Berthälemeu tightened his grip and hastened their pace, causing his younger sibling to almost fall.

"Do you even know where you're going?!"

"This area can't be that big! If we keep running in one direction for a good amount of time, we've gotta pop out of here at some point, right?"

"That's awful! We're just gonna get more lo-..."

Berthälemeu stopped short and clamped a stony hand over Larkspur's mouth. He brought his phone up in front of them as if he had seen or heard something in the distance. Though, Larkspur could not hear anything over her pounding heart and her brother's heavy breathing.

He released her mouth and wiped the cold sweat off of his forehead. "I thought I heard the rustling again..."

His sister leaned against a tree and allowed her fatigued body to slide down the trunk all the way to the leaf-covered ground. She let go of her bag, letting it plop beside her. As soon as her buttocks made contact, her brother glared at her with a bewildered expression like she had offended him greatly. She looked back up at him, raising one of her eyebrows in confusion. "What?"

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Uhm... resting? Why?"

"Lark, we can't rest now! This isn't the time or place. We have to leave now!" He extended a hand towards her to pull her up off the ground.

"We can afford to rest for five minutes. What are the chances the creature came after us anyways?"

"Those are some pretty fat chances, Lark, now get up." His voice was hard, and it was not a plead for them to move on; it was a command.

"Think about it - Yuman is on his own, so he's an easier target. Akain is a one-in-a-million top-notch asshole, and in horror movies, the asshole always gets what he deserves!"

Her brother just blinked at her for a few moments before squinting. He took back his hand and slightly inclined his head. "Are you comparing a real life situation to movies?"

"No! It's a think called karma, Bertha." She smirked at the name she had called him. She knew that he absolutely hated being called that, and would give in to a lot of things just to get people to stop calling him that. At this point, he also knew that she only called him that when she really wanted something. He gave an exasperated sigh, closing his eyes and rubbing his temples.

"Fine... but five minutes, and five minutes only!" He crossed his arms and leaned his back against a tree, setting his camping bag down beside him.

Larkspur gave a victorious smile before rummaging through her camping bag. She took out the half-empty bag of marshmallows and began to munch on the sweet, fluffy cylinders.

"You know there are healthier things than that to eat, right?" Berthälemeu stepped closer to his sister and allowed himself to sit cross-legged. He delved through his own sack before pulling out a wrapped granola bar.

"Yeah, but if I ever need to run, I have enough sugar in my system to get away. The advantages of a sugar rush!"

"Well, you better run off all of that sugar, then. I'm not gonna be the one to help you when you get diabetes." He shook his head and ripped open the wrapper, pushing out the bar and taking a bite off the top.

"I wouldn't want or need your help because I wouldn't get diabetes." By now, she was shoving the fifth marshmallow in her mouth. It wouldn't be much of a problem if she were eating regular marshmallows - but she was consuming the gigantic type that could barely even fit in her mouth.

"Guys??"

Berthälemeu and Larkspur turned so fast, that the newcomer was surprised neither of them have broken their spines.

"Y... Yuman??"

The skinny Junior stepped closer to the siblings, a look of relief on his face. "Oh, thank the stars! I thought I had lost everyone!" Though, he did not get the same warm greeting in turn. In fact, he received cold glares that made him stop in his tracks. He let out a sigh and cast his gaze to the ground to avoid their judgemental stares. "Look, guys... I'm sorry, okay? I just wanna get out of this place as much as you do. I'm sorry about Jeki and all that. You don't have to believe me or like me or anything like that. Just let me get you guys out of this place."

The siblings exchanged glances for a few moments. Larkspur released a long breath and said, "Okay... Just get us out. I'm ready to go back to my dorm. I really miss my bed right now..."

Berthälemeu threw her another bewildered glare. "What?? You're just gonna trust this jackass?"

Larkspur bit her bottom lip and stared right back at her big brother. "Listen, I just wanna leave, okay?"

"He's the reason we're in this mess in the first place, Lark! Remember??"

"Yes, I remember. But if he got us in, he can get us out. So I'm gonna trust him for the time being." She shoved one last marshmallow into her mouth before shoving the bag back into her camping sack. She rose to her feet and threw the sack over her shoulder, confidently approaching Yuman. Then she turned to her brother. "Coming?"

Berthälemeu glared daggers at the both of them, obviously not happy that his sister was giving in so easily. He got up, grabbed his own bag, and approached them. He stopped for a moment before passing them up. "I'm gonna follow my own path. I'm not gonna trust him one lick."

Larkspur rolled her eyes at her brother's pride and stupidity. "You don't even know where you're going!"

"I'm using common sense. Like I said, if I keep going in one direction, I'll reach the end at some point."

"Yeah, that's some common sense alright..." Her sarcastic comment earned her a death stare.

"Shut up..." He turned his attention to Yuman, making sure he was squirming underneath the leer of his icy eyes. "If anything, and I mean ANYTHING, happens to my sister..." He stalked close to his enemy, coming face-to-face with strong eye contact. "I swear, I will make you regret even thinking about bringing us out here."

Yuman gulped as he shrunk underneath Berthälemeu's scrutiny. "Y-yeah... I got you."

Without another word, the bulky Senior turned his back to the pair and began his long journey into the darkness.

Larkspur turned to Yuman, releasing a long sigh. "Sometimes... well, let's go. I wanna get out as soon as possible."

"Yeah..." He slowly turned the opposite direction and pushed his way through the leaves.

The Sophomore held up her phone so that he could see where he was going as well. She treaded not too far behind, keeping her senses alert for anything lurking about.

"So... I didn't see you carrying a flashlight or your phone or anything. You seem to be going around the darkness just fine."

"Oh, that's because of these contacts that I'm wearing," he answered without hesitation or turning to look at her. "They're kind of like the cornea of cat eyes. They were super expensive, but so worth it."

"I didn't know you wore contacts, let alone cat contacts."

"No one did. I don't like to talk about it. But it is pretty cool to freak people out when you look at them in complete darkness and your eyes are glowing!"

They fell into an awkward silence, save the crunching of the leaves underneath their feet. Yuman seemed exceptionally calm to Larkspur, but maybe it was a good sign. If he was calm, that meant they should be fine... right?

"I saw you eating marshmallows back there," he started, breaking the silence. He didn't add on to the random observation, making her lift one of her eyebrows in question.

"Uh, yeah. What about that??

"I mean, I haven't eaten anything since the campfire. Think you could lend me some?"

She couldn't help but give a small laugh. "You know I have other things that might be more filling, right?"

"Yeah, but... Marshmallows are more fun and delicious."

Larkspur smiled along with a giggle as she tucked the sack in the crook of her arm and fished through it with her other hand, all the while still walking. She drew out the half-empty bag of gigantic marshmallows, returning her sack to its rightful place over her shoulder.

"We have a while until we get out of here, but I know something fun that will pass the time."

"Something fun? This is neither the time nor place for something fun!"

"Ah, but there is always a time and place for something fun!" He slowed his pace slightly to where Larkspur caught up beside him, and stuck his hand in the bag of fluffy sweets. "Ever heard of a game called Chubby Bunny?"

She rolled her eyes at him and watched him as he took a few small bites of the marshmallow. "Really? Right now? Chubby Bunny?"

"Yeah, why not??" He took a large chomp out of his treat, stored it in his cheek, and said, "Chubby Bunny... Ow."

"What happened?"

"Oh, nothing... My jaw just really hurts is all." He proceeded to taking another bite. "Chubby bunny!"

She stared at him with a curious look for a few moments, but couldn't resist the urge rising deep inside of her. She grabbed her own marshmallow and, taking the biggest bite that she could, chopped the sweet in half. "Chubby bunny!"

He smiled in amusement, showing the white glob that was slowly turning into a mushy goop inside his mouth. He took another bite. "Chubby bunny.~"

Back and forth they went, taking bites out of their marshmallows like they were back in high school, taking dares. Bites soon turned to full on shoving whole marshmallows into their mouths, unable to control the sticky saliva that began to drip from their stuffed maws.

Before Larkspur knew it, they both broke out of the line of trees. She almost couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the black asphalt road stretching only feet from where they stood, especially the bright red Subaru that was parked nearby.

"Mm!! Mmhhmm hmph!!" Larkspur muffled with all the marshmallows in her mouth.

Yuman chewed his thoroughly and swallowed, which took a few seconds since they were soft and mushy with his saliva. "Well, here we are!!" and he slapped a hand onto Larkspur's shoulder.

The sudden contact alarmed her, for she did not expect to be touched by him. She gasped, but there was no air to fill her lungs - just marshmallows.

And that's when one got lodged into her throat.

~ ~ ~

This must have been the fifth right that Berthälemeu had taken! He felt as if he was going in circles. Each time he felt as if he would break out the tree line, there was some stone wall, some pond, or whatever else to block him.

So far, no monster showed its face to him, and he was thankful for that at the least.

Crunch!

Great, he had just jinxed himself.

He swiveled around to the source of the sound, holding up his phone to strip the monster of its cloak of darkness.

"I got you now, you son of a--"

"Woah, there!!" Pale hands rose in the air to show surrender. "Calm down there, I'm not your enemy!"

Berthälemeu relaxed as his phone revealed a frightened Yuman. "Technically, you are my enemy." He stared for a few moments before his glare turned hard. "Where the hell is Larkspur?"

"Don't worry about her, she's fine-..."

"Where. THE F--K. is Larkspur?!" He took a threatening step towards him, making him step back in intimidation.

"Okay, okay! Just chill! I took her out, she's waiting by the car. She wanted me to come back for you."

The blocky Senior stood there in silence for a moment, furrowing his brows and cocking his head. Then he uttered, "How'd you know where I was? How'd you locate me so quick in this big ass place??"

"The trees, man!" Yuman patted the trunk of a nearby tree with a small smile. "If you're a good climber, you can climb to the top of one and look over the forest to where you need to go!"

"So you can locate me just by climbing one of those?"

"Yep! It takes some practice, but it works!"

Berthälemeu stepped next to him, looked up into the leaves, and then said, "Then take me back to Lark."

Yuman jumped up and locked his fingers around the branch right above him. Pulling himself up, he drew a knee upwards to situate himself on the branch, then wasted no time in climbing to the top. He stayed there for a few seconds, surveying the land surrounding him. Then he jumped down to the branch below him before hopping down to the ground with a crouch to keep from hurting himself.

"If we keep along this path, then we should make it back to your sister." He turned back to where he had come from and trudged through the bushes.

"I can't believe I'm following you, but at least Lark is alright..." Berthälemeu muttered more towards himself as he trailed behind Yuman.

The journey was silent. Neither men had the courage to talk to one another - there was no need to. As long as they could get out safe is sound, they were both satisfied.

Not too long into the journey did they hear a disturbance nearby. It was frantic, like something was coming quick.

"At this point, I don't even wanna run. Every rustle I hear is usually bulls--t." Berthälemeu pointed up his phone, balling up a fist and hoisting up his guard in case he needed to fight.

A glint from Yuman's hand caught his eye, making him glance down. In the boy's hand was a shiny knife.

"Yuman..!"

The boy looked over at him, startled. "What?"

"Is... Isn't that Akain's pocket knife?"

Yuman looked down at the knife as if he didn't know what he was talking about. "Uhm... No? And what makes you think that?"

Berthälemeu's pale blue eyes pierced Yuman with an icy glare. "Akain always carries that knife. And I even saw it with him tonight when we had to..." he paused for a moment. "...cut down Jeki..." He squinted, looking his enemy deep in his eyes. "And last time I checked, you never carried a knife. You've been acting f--king weird this whole entire time-..." He stopped mid sentence, and his blue optics widened to the size of saucers. Then, he opened his mouth and slowly moved his lips.

"What did you do to Larkspur?"

Yuman didn't move. He didn't answer. He stood there, staring at Berthälemeu with a blank stare that didn't say much other than 'Look out; I will do the unpredictable.'

"I said: What did you do to Larkspur?!"

The sussurus continued, the only sound they could hear in between the questions.

Instead of answering, Yuman turned around towards the source of the sound. Nearby, a bush was rattling like crazy, the leaves and twigs threatening to fall off of their stems.

He slowly approached the bush, the pocket knife winking in the light. Once near the plant, he couldn't help but crack a smile - in the midst of the leaves, tangled in the roots and twigs, was a hare.

He grasped the animal by its lenghty ears, making it squeak with surprise, and cut away at its restraints. Once it was free, he let go of the ears, allowing it to dash away back into some other brush.

He stood back up straight and sighed, closing his eyes for a moment as if he was weary and exhausted. Then he reopened his green optics and peered back at Berthälemeu, who continued to glare daggers.

"Like I said, she's waiting for you."

"Quit lying out of your ass, Yuman!"

"I did nothing! She was stuffing her fat ass with marshmallows and probably choked on her own fat, I had no part in it!"

The muscles in his face contracted and tensed up, scrunching up his scuplted features in anger. In a blind rage, he dropped his phone and rushed Yuman, who was readily expecting the attack. Though what he didn't prepare for was the sudden drop-kick - Berthälemeu was smart enough to attack feet first to avoid being stabbed anywhere important.

Yuman flew back, the knife sliding out of his hand in the process. The wind was knocked out of him, and he took the moment to reobtain it. By the time he regained the balance in his equilibrium, Berthälemeu was already back on his feet and ready for more.

The blond Junior quickly threw his feet in the air, using the momentum to allow the rest of his body to follow. He planted his feet on the ground and charged back at his attacker, meeting him with equal force.

They wrestled each other for a few moments before the angry sibling began to throw punches at the other's head.

Overwhelmed by the multiple impacts to his skull, he allowed himself to drop to the ground to escape the onslaught of punches.

Berthälemeu was not satisfied by this sudden submission. He wanted blood to spill as a way to avenge for his sister.

He lowered himself to Yuman's level and took him by the shoulders, raising him and slamming him back down into the ground incessantly. He couldn't stop; the sound of his skull cracking against the earth only fed his thirst for bloody revenge.

Then Yuman brought up his knees as hard as he could, digging his knee caps into Berthälemeu's back, sending  him over him. As soon as he was free of the bangings, he rose and turned before his banger could return to his feet. He threw his weight on him, pinning him to the ground, but the Senior caught his incoming arms and pushed back.

In the midst of their wrestling, an object shimmered in the corner of his eye. He glanced over and saw the pocket knife just lying there in the dirt right next to where they grappled. He allowed one hand to go free, ball into a fist, and punch the ever-living snot out of the man below him. Blood seeped out of his nose, shocking him for a moment, which gave Yuman time to grab the knife.

Before he continued, he leaned in close to his victim and, with a mischievous grin, whispered, "At least you put up more of a fight than any of the others...~"

He brought the knife to Berthälemeu's neck, put all his force into the pressure, and swept it across in one clean motion.

~ ~ ~

Tears streamed down his face as he recalled the events of the camping trip to the police officer that sat in front of him.

"I... I don't know how I survived, but I guess I was the only one smart enough to get out of there." He grabbed a clean tissue, brought it up to his bruised nose, and blew his snot into it before crumpling it up within his hand. "They almost got me, but I escaped with a few cut and bruises."

Officer Jebule nodded in understanding, her expression clearly showing that she sympathized for him. Her partner beside her didn't look too moved by his story, but didn't announce his thoughts.

"So you say that some rabid animal attacked your group and killed all of your friends?" asked Officer Jebule as she wrote some notes down in her notepad.

"No, it wasn't some rabid animal." Yuman made sure she looked up and met his eyes that were both surrounded by skin that had shifted to a dark purple-blue. "It was some kind of monster or ghost... and it only went for their necks! I don't know if it was some kind of vampire or something, but it had a thing for their necks..."

Officer Azea raised his eyebrows at Yuman. "Well, if that's how your story goes, then we want you to come with us back to that forest to identify the bodies."

The skinny, beat-up college student looked him dead in the eyes, all signs of sorrow replaced with something more sinister.

"Oh, but officer... I can't guarantee your safety, for this is no story...~"

》And it's finally over and done with! Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for reading this long story! Hope you enjoyed it, and I hope you were shocked by the twist~《