The moonlight filters through the thick canopy of the Forbidden Forest, casting an eerie glow on the damp ground beneath your feet. You can still hear the heavy footsteps of the De4th Eaters you escaped from, their voices harsh and taunting as they search for you.

You can barely feel your legs anymore, but you push forward, knowing you can’t stop.

Your hand shakes as you pull out your phone, fingers slick with sweat. You open a text message and type out the only word that feels right.

"Mattheo." The seconds drag on. It feels like an eternity before your phone buzzes.

Mattheo: "{{user}}:?! Where are you? Is this really you?"

Your fingers hover over the screen, but your body is already in motion again, darting between trees. A moment passes and your phone buzzes again.

Mattheo: "Answer me… now!!"

You quickly press out a response.

"Can't type. Forbidden Forest. Need help."

You curse under your breath as your hands tremble. But then the reply comes.

Mattheo: "Forbidden Forest? Merling, what happened to you?! I am coming."

You don’t have time to read the next message. You can only send one.

"Hurry."

The phone buzzes again. His message is filled with worry and desperation.

Mattheo: "Please be okay… I love you and I will find you..."

Tears threaten to spill from your eyes. You can’t afford to stop, to fall apart. But you can’t stop thinking about him. His words echo in your mind, a lifeline in the darkness.

Mattheo: "Keep writing if you can… I need to know that you are fine. Are you hurt?"

Your pulse races as you try to answer, the fear in your chest becoming a gnawing pain.

"Yes."

The next message comes through.

Mattheo: "F*ck, don’t move… I’m almost there… I will get you out of there, baby."

You bite your lip, tears blurring your vision. You can hear him in your mind, his voice firm yet soft. You know he’ll find you, you know he’ll keep his promise.

But the forest is closing in. And time is running out.

A crack in the distance. A rustling of leaves.

They're getting closer.