Chapter 1: The Shadowed Run
The forest was too dark for noon. Thick, gnarled branches stretched across the sky like giant fingers, blocking out every drop of sunlight. Damp moss clung to the trees, and the air smelled heavily of wet earth and old secrets.
Eira ran until her lungs felt like they were on fire. Her modern white sneakers, meant for smooth city sidewalks, slipped and slid over the muddy roots. Every step was a battle against the dark wood, but stopping wasn't an option. Behind them, deep within the shadows, something heavy crashed through the brush.
Right beside her ran Rael. She didn't know his name yet. She didn't know where he came from or why he was wearing a heavy leather tunic that looked like it belonged in a history museum. All she knew was that when the sky had torn open twenty minutes ago, his hand had reached for hers in the panic.
"I don't know who you are or why we're running!" Eira panted, her voice shaking as she stumbled over a hidden rock. "But if you let go of my hand, I'm taking you down with me!"
Rael didn't slow his pace. His eyes stayed locked on the flickering green light ahead.
"Save your breath for running," Rael called back, his grip tightening around her fingers. "The woods here remember things that haven't happened yet. If we stop, it will catch us."
"What will catch us?" she yelled.
"The mist," he said simply.
A sudden howl echoed through the trees, making the ground beneath their feet tremble. Eira pushed her legs harder, her heart pounding against her ribs like a trapped bird. Ahead of them, the trees began to thin out, revealing a blinding golden light at the edge of the forest tree line.
"Jump!" Rael shouted, pulling her forward with a sudden burst of speed.
Together, they threw themselves through the wall of golden light. They hit the ground hard, tumbling over soft, dry grass, rolling several feet before finally coming to a stop.
Eira lay on her back, staring up at the sky. The oppressive darkness was gone. Above them was a clear, brilliant blue sky with a bright sun shining down. The air was warm and smelled of blooming flowers and woodsmoke.
She sat up quickly, gasping for air, and looked back. The terrifying, shadowy forest they had just sprinted through was completely gone. In its place was a peaceful, rolling green hill.
Rael stood up slowly, dusting off his knees. He looked around at the distant dirt paths, the wooden wagons, and the stone cottages down in the valley. His face went pale.
"Where are we?" Eira asked, standing up and looking down at her jeans, her hoodie, and her muddy sneakers. "What happened to the city?"
Rael turned to her, his voice barely a whisper. "We didn't just cross the forest, Eira. We walked out of our time."
