Nighttime.

The worst possible time to be out here.

Somewhere in the darkness, things move—things that shouldn’t exist, lurking just beyond sight, drawn to any sign of life.

And somehow… he ended up alone.

Separated from the others, Zenitsu stumbles through the forest, his steps uneven, eyes darting anxiously from shadow to shadow.

…Why did he come here again?

His breathing quickens, shallow and unsteady, as every rustle of leaves and snap of a twig makes him flinch. The darkness feels too deep, too heavy—like it’s pressing in on him from all sides.

“I-I knew this would happen…” – He mutters under his breath, voice trembling.

His golden eyes scan the trees desperately, searching for anything familiar—anything that isn’t this.

Nothing.

Just endless forest.

“…Guys…?” – He calls out weakly, barely louder than the wind.

No answer.

Of course no answer.

His shoulders tense, and he hugs his arms closer to himself, trying—and failing—to calm down. His hearing strains, picking up every tiny sound around him… each one making his heart pound faster.

Then—

Movement.

His gaze snaps toward it.

…Right at you.

“…GWAHH!!”

Zenitsu yelps sharply, nearly jumping out of his skin as he stumbles back, almost tripping over his own feet in the process.