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“They didn’t close the Rift, but they did learn a lot more about it which will help us.”
I nod, absorbing the information. While the idea of others failing at this daunting task is disheartening, the fact that they gathered valuable knowledge gives me a glimmer of hope. At least we won’t be going into this blind.
“Learning from their experiences sounds like a good strategy,” I reply, my voice tinged with a mix of determination and anxiety. “So, what exactly did they discover about the Rift?”
“Well, we learned about the monsters stealing emotions…”
“Stealing emotions?” What is he talking about?
Kit’s eyes narrow slightly, as if searching for the right words to explain a concept that is as baffling as it is unsettling. “Yes, stealing emotions. You see, the Rift doesn’t just spawn mindless creatures. It creates beings that feed on the emotions of humans, particularly the intense ones like fear, anger, and despair.”
My heart quickens as I try to grasp the implications of what he’s saying. “So, these creatures... they feed on our emotions? How? And what happens to us when they do?”
Kit’s expression darkens, and he takes a deep breath before continuing. “When these creatures come into contact with us, they can extract our emotions, leaving us feeling numb, empty, and overwhelmed by apathy. They use those stolen emotions to sustain themselves, and the more they take, the stronger they become.”
A chill runs down my spine as I consider the horrifying consequences of encountering these emotion-stealing monsters. The thought of being left devoid of feelings, a mere shell of my former self, is deeply unsettling.
“But,” Kit adds, a glimmer of hope in his eyes, “we’ve also learned that there are ways to protect ourselves from their influence. Unity, trust, and the bonds we share as a pack can shield us from their emotional drain.”
“We have also learned that we can get sucked into the Rift,” Vaughn adds darkly.
“Get sucked in?” Shock bolts like lightning through me. “Is that… does that kill people?”
Vaughn shakes his head. “Other groups have survived everything that they have been through, but it’s something we would like to avoid. Especially as the Rift can open anywhere in this forest, at random. And that it’s not always stable.”
The revelation that the Rift can draw people in, trapping them within its chaotic depths, sends another shiver down my spine. The forest, already a place of immense danger, becomes even more treacherous with this newfound knowledge.
“Surviving inside the Rift but being unable to escape... that sounds like a nightmare,” I murmur, my mind racing with the implications. “And you’re saying it can appear anywhere in this forest at any time?”
Vaughn nods solemnly. “That’s right. It’s unpredictable and unstable. That’s why we need to be cautious and work together as a pack. Our bonds and unity will be our best protection against both the creatures and the Rift itself. We have to keep on the same team all the time.”
“Is there any way to predict what we might encounter?” I ask, trying to grasp any thread of control in this chaotic situation.
Vaughn steps forward, his expression grim. “The only thing we know for sure is that the Rift’s instability increases with time. The longer it remains open, the worse it gets. That’s why we need to close it as soon as possible.”
I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of our responsibility settle upon me. “And how do we go about closing it?”
Lars, always practical, chimes in. “That’s what we’re here to figure out, Mahalia. And we will. I’m sure we’re the team who will do it.”
“What makes you so sure?” I demand. “Because I’m freaked out now.”
“Because you have me on the team, of course. And because I think this is the mating round who can win.”
Wait… mating round? Have I heard that term before? What does it mean?
“What on earth are you talking about?” I ask him in confusion. “A mating round? I don’t understand what that is. I don’t think that’s come up…”
As I stand there, eager for more information, Professor Maddox suddenly reappears, holding a bundle of art supplies in his arms. My breath catches in my throat as I lay eyes on the colorful array of paints, brushes, and sketchbooks that he’s brought back with him. They are, without a doubt, the best-looking art supplies I’ve ever seen in my life.
My heart races with excitement, and I can hardly contain my astonishment. Maddox places the art supplies down on a flat rock, arranging them carefully as if they were precious treasures. The vivid hues of the paints and the soft texture of the sketchbooks beckon to me, filling me with a longing I haven’t felt in far too long.
“Wow,” I breathe, unable to tear my eyes away from the artistic bounty before me. “These are incredible. Where did you find them?”
Maddox smiles warmly, his eyes reflecting my enthusiasm. “I may not know much about art, Mahalia, but I know how much it means to you. So, I made sure to bring back the very best supplies I could find. Consider it a gesture of goodwill. I can’t do much to make your time with us better, but I hope this is a start…”
My gratitude swells, and I find myself genuinely touched by his thoughtful gesture. It’s a small but meaningful reminder that even in the midst of this strange and dangerous mission, there’s room for moments of unexpected kindness and connection from the person I least expected it to come from. My parents might not have ever been able to understand my passion for art, but Maddox wants me to enjoy myself.
If I can paint and really throw myself into my art, then maybe this year won’t be so bad after all.
