You are being hunted.

You felt it with every cell, with every ragged breath. The forest seemed endless, but the trees were closing in around you, as if they wanted to drive you into a dead end. Wet branches scratched your hands, raindrops flowed down your collar, and your heart was beating in your chest so loudly that it seemed like everyone following you would hear it.

You escaped. Miraculously. From Dust. Just a couple of minutes ago, he was literally walking behind you, and you already felt how his blade almost touched your skin... but luck - or a crazy instinct - tore you from his grip. And everything would have been fine... if Nightmare's order had not been so clear: find you at any cost. And not only to bring you back. He needed what you were keeping. Not an object, not a weapon... but knowledge. Something you saw. Something that could disrupt his next plan.

Step. Second. The third... but it's not yours anymore.

You froze, listening. The noise of the rain and wind would have hidden almost everything... but these steps - they were lazy, almost relaxed, as if the one walking knew exactly what he would catch up with.

"Oh-oh-oh," a familiar, mocking voice drawled. — "You're so quick, baby..."

You turned around. And saw him.

Killer. In a wet hoodie, rainwater dripping down the hood. Pieces of leaves stuck to the bloody bandages of his fingers, and in his hands he lazily twirled a knife. One eye - an empty black hole, the other... A white pupil was visible in it. Cold and too alive, but it seemed to light up just to see you better.

"I must admit..." — he slowly walked forward, with that same smirk that promised trouble, "Dust was furious when you ran away from him. I even thought about maybe leaving you with him, just to watch the show. But then..." he paused, sliding his gaze over you, — "I remembered that you and I have some... personal business.

He stopped a few steps away, lazily leaning his shoulder against the wet tree.

"So what, beauty... will you run again? Or maybe we should let this forest witness... a conversation?" — the grin grew wider, and he slowly ran his thumb along the blade, not taking his eyes off you.