DISCLAIMER: READ CHAPTER 1.
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CHAPTER 7 - BRAVING THE 'MONSTROUS' WOODS
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…LAST TIME…
They all prayed that their traveling won't be very long upon hiking through the deep dark forests, but they are prepared to fight when that foreboding ominous time comes.
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SOMEWHERE DEEP IN THE DARK FORESTS OF CANADA…ABOUT A FEW MILES ALREADY TRAVELED AND HIKED SO FAR IN THEIR TENSE AND SCARY JOURNEY…AND IT'S REALLY DARK AT NIGHTTIME THEN
The group of twelve survivors, eight young adults, and four little children, as well as consisting of seven Mundane people and five Magicals-or Mages as they decided to term and call themselves from now on and then-have managed to travel and hike through the thick deep Canadian forests in that very dark time of night and managed to reach and go out that far to surviving through this horrific Monster Apocalypse at that very year of still terrifying scary times since the Meteor fall and monster outbreak long ago back then before.
They are still about a few miles out faraway from the outer edge of the forests to their destination, but they made quite a surprising good progress into walking for five to seven miles after they left their former previous camp back then. However, they are all determined but trying not to feel frantic and in a panic to keep hiking on through the dark woods and get themselves collapsing from exhaustion and fatigue if they dare to continue on. The first and last in line were on high alert and on guard to watch out and look out for any dangers and threats that might be hiding under the trees or blackness of the eerie shadows around them as they walk on, their weapons at the ready to shoot or strike at anything that comes at them, whether small or big, as well as visible or invisible.
Even though they're slightly slowed down by the thick snow they're trekking and trudging through as well as carrying their precious fragile burden of four still drugged-sleeping children and the still walking pregnant woman, all the members of that survivor group are charmed and protected with shields over them, invisible in sight and sound from any monsters lurking around and about in the forests, even enchanted to be light on their steps so that their feet won't sink down into the thick snow and have difficulty walking through them, almost like they're walking above water, just about slightly similar how the Mundane holy deity Jesus Christ does.
And despite that it seemed to be quiet and peaceful at that very time of night that they're still traveling through the forests and into, with the soft normal crickets and cicadas chirping and few owls hooting soundly in the woods-by no means that they are truly safe as they try to keep on with their journey to reach their destination into getting out of these thick dark forests, which is filled with monsters that must be lurking about in the shadows or lying in wait behind the trees, ready to pounce at their defenseless prey that they might somehow sense that they're there.
"Helen, are you okay?" Bellamy asked almost for the seventh-or was it the eighth time? -when Helen took her next turn into carrying the still-sleeping Annie in her arms and she almost appeared to be out of breath or something.
Helen managed to hold back a tired sigh but she didn't stop herself upon telling Bellamy with slight irritation in her voice. "Bellamy, for the last time-I'm fine. I can make it as long as I can."
"Are you sure, Helen? I noticed that you're starting to slow down," Neville whispered softly from behind Helen and Bellamy upon being the second with Octavia in the line-up.
Helen just turned her head around deftly to glare back at him with a look on her face that meaningfully says. 'Seriously? You are not helping!'
Neville would have normally winced under that kind of glare, coming from a moody expecting mother, but Helen's his long-time friend and also his family-kind sister so he faced her head-on, looking back at her with a knowing look. That and also he knew that Helen would not turn her slight anger at him since he's holding a sleeping kid too, that is little Faith.
When Helen saw that Neville isn't backing down upon glaring at him, she sighed softly out loud this time but managed to keep up her composure in the pretense that she's still strong and brave to continue on with their journey through these scary woods. But before she was about to say her words or false statement on that, they were interrupted and suddenly stopped in their tracks when they heard Draco yell out, slightly loud in a soft but sharp hiss.
"STOP!"
Upon Draco's harsh command, they all froze in their steps and stood still like instant frozen statues, and slowly, one by one they turned back to look at Draco with questioning nervous looks on their faces like they're silently asking him what's wrong.
Draco didn't speak one more word after he snapped that order, as he looked around with sharp eyes and very tense frame on his body while holding his weapon-strangely enough, it's a long black wooden cane with a silver snakehead on the handle-top-very tightly under his grip like he's ready to swing it and strike at something that's going to jump out from the shadows and lunge at them, but all the others can see is nothing but the darkness within the thick forests they're in the middle of and through, and the moon is shining above them in a dim lighting glow, which they can barely see their surroundings clearly.
The little boy he was carrying and holding on to, that is the oldest of the kids Teddy, even though Draco didn't trust his partner, he decided to make an exception this time as he abruptly handed over the still-sleeping kid in his carrier right at Clarke's startled arms but she managed to snap out of her surprise and grab hold of him, soothing him softly in case the boy might wake up in her arms, who's now in her care, but she nearly forgot that Teddy is still under the magic sleeping-drug, same with the other three children.
"Hey, what is it? Did you see anything?" Neville asked nervously at Draco, his eyes darting around like he's trying to spot any hidden threats or dangers that are lurking in the woods they're trying to cross through and get out. But Draco still didn't answer as he continued to be on guard, still tense around his body and looked like he's poising himself at the ready to fight back at something when it comes out and comes at them.
"No," Octavia said, answering Neville when she thought he's asking her as she also looked around and was on the alert and on guard. Despite that she's trying to sound brave, the shaky tone in her voice revealed her nervousness and slight fearful anxiety as she didn't like the fact that they're standing there in the spot, right in the middle of the spooky dark forests, that's full of monsters, hiding around and about somewhere in the shadows. "I can't see a thing."
Neville clarified to his partner beside him that he was asking the question at Draco and not her, and she slightly blushed in embarrassment but he chose to not notice that as he cooed softly at his carrying burden that is Faith, who he thought was about to stir awake, but she isn't yet as she's still under the sleeping-drug.
"Hey, man-what is it!?" Murphy demanded at him in a soft but harsh whisper.
"Can't you guys hear anything?" Draco finally responded after another slightly long moment of silence.
And that's when the others finally noticed it and realized after Draco said that grim statement.
Silence.
An eerie silence.
Like there's suddenly no sounds at all.
It's as if all the night bugs and owls they were expecting to hear.
Suddenly ceased without warning.
Leaving nothing but SILENCE.
And the only sounds they can clearly hear are just them, with their soft but tense breathing right under the magical invisible shields they're protected in but felt like it won't protect them for long because the silence is ominously very bad and foreboding to them.
Helen instantly said in a hushed voice to make a circled huddle around them with the big boys protecting them around, facing out in the darkness of the shadowy forest in front and within the circle are the girls, all four of them holding each of the still-sleeping oblivious children in their arms, and only Clarke and Helen were holding a weapon with one free hand upon taking them out and having them ready for a fight or something. Even though Octavia wanted to get her magic weapon out too like Clarke and Helen, she already knew that the longbow is too big for her to hold with one hand and she hated it that she's defenseless without a weapon and has a vulnerable child held tightly and gently in her embracing arms. And it looks like Luna felt the same way but she's not showing it in her face for others to see as she focused on holding her precious burden that is Andy in her arms.
"Damn it-crap! I still can't see anything!" Bellamy said in an agitated whisper, nearly catching himself from cursing out loud but then he almost forgot that little Annie in Helen's arms is still asleep from the magic drug still in effect on the female child.
"Me either-Draco!" Neville cried anxiously, his nerves now fraying into a nervous antsy fritz as his eyes dart around almost in a panicked alert like he's still trying to see or spot anything that might be hiding or lurking within the dark shadowy forests.
"Shut up, Neville! You are definitely not helping!" Draco hissed back at him in a soft but hard snap.
Murphy didn't voice it out loud but he also agreed with Draco as he looked around nervously and tensely alert, trying to see if he could see anything in the shadows clearly, and doing his best to spot whatever monsters that are hiding within or lurking about but couldn't see anything yet.
"I know this is a bad time and all but…I have an idea!" Helen suddenly voiced out in soft whispers when the four guys aimed their weapons out blindly at the darkness, trying to find a target but there's nothing coming out or coming at them and they're getting more nervous by the minute as the time passed on almost so slowly in a scary way until Helen decided to speak out what's on her mind.
Draco glanced back at her with a pointed look like he knew something that Helen is thinking about instantly as he sarcastically said, "Why am I getting the sudden feeling that we're not going to like this?"
Luna points out calmly, "Some of Helen's ideas are good ones, you know."
Neville snorted as he commented dryly, "Oh really, Luna? Try saying that the last time Helen had an idea-it got ourselves almost up-close and personal with one of those giant kinds of monsters at the time!"
"Do we really wanna know what you guys are talking about?" Octavia had to ask, curious and confused about what the magical guys are talking about with each other.
Helen shook her head in a negative and said, "Not really the time and place for that but later. Draco, don't worry about it. My idea is safe and good-(Draco snorts with disbelief)-and I just need someone here who has a good throwing arm."
"I used to be a baseball pitcher back in my high school days. And I still got my good throwing skills up to then," Bellamy said admitting it, turning his head slightly to tell Helen but not moving his eyes away from looking out on the front, in case any monster hidden or lurking out there might finally decide to jump out from the shadows.
Both his sister Octavia and friend Murphy confirmed Bellamy's statement that it's true and Helen nodded, rummaging around her small knapsack strapped around her shoulder like she's trying to find something and take it out, and it didn't take her long to get what she was looking for and bring it out for almost everyone to see what she's holding now.
It confused the four normal Mundane people upon seeing that Helen brought out some kind of glass ball of sorts, which is almost the size of her hand as she held it in her palm and when Draco and Neville saw it, they exchanged looks of understanding like they knew what Helen is going to do and nodded with approval upon accepting the kind of idea that Helen had in mind.
It turns out that Helen's idea was to make a decoy light-flash magic bomb and she enchanted it softly which the glass ball gave out a dim glow in response to her magic and then she handed the magicked ball to Bellamy and told him to throw it at the right direction but when Bellamy was about to throw the enchanted glass ball off, Draco instantly stopped him with a light slap to his arm to instantly get his attention back at the blond man.
"She meant your right-not the other right!" Draco snapped at him softly with a frown.
Bellamy blushed a little embarrassed and this time he correctly aimed and threw the ball in the exact direction Helen told him to do.
Once the ball was thrown off and landed softly into the snowy bed at the right place, almost far away in a few meters distance from the others, and when it touches the ground, the enchanted ball swiftly flashed brightly and explodes upon impact, shooting off like a massive firework on display.
And when the light-show happened, the monsters instantly came out of hiding in reaction to it, but fortunately, they didn't come at the group of survivors, instead, they lunge straight at the light-show like it's their gourmet buffet, ready to serve them.
Clarke and Octavia managed to stifle their shouts from screaming in fright upon the sudden appearance of the monsters that were the type to have some sort of very dark black fur to blend into the darkness of the shadows itself, but there's no mistaking their large figures, the size almost similar to the grizzly bears, but they have no eyes under their black fur, except they obviously have long limbs with very sharp claws at the ends of all four of their paws on each monster, including very sharp numerous fangs and teeth inside the large snapping jaws of their slightly big long snouts.
Once the black-furred shadow-type monsters lunged at the brightening exploding light-show from the enchanted ball, trying to engulf it like they wanted to devour the light until it's gone, Draco instantly pushed the others into moving on, just right when these snarling creatures got distracted.
"Go, go! Move!" Draco hissed at them, nearly pushing and shoving the girls to go and run first before the other boys followed after them, guarding them behind their backs when they did.
It didn't take long for about a few meters or so that their running in a straight direction was veered off when Luna suddenly points out the glowing moss shining dimly amidst the snow through the deep dark forests they're running in and they started following that path as she explained shortly to the four confused normal survivors on the reason why they're following that very path, with the glowing moss they're following at, as it turns out that the mutated magic-like glowing moss is their guide upon the path that will lead straight to their way out of these forests.
Though the Mundane survivors decided to trust the Magical ones by now ever since they first met and grouped together, one of them had to ask, concerning the kind of doubts they still have on their minds and running rampant in fear within their guts after nearly missing another monster encounter like the recent one right there and then.
"Are you sure we can't fire up torches or use flashlights or magic to light our way?" Clarke whispered softly, not liking the fact that they're all traveling blindly on foot literally in the dark, and the only thing that they're trying to follow and trek through, are the faintly glowing moss that will show them the path to their way out of these creepy scary forests.
Draco snapped hissing lowly, "No, we can't! Even with using magic-any monster lurking out here will instantly come out of hiding and get us, exactly like those things back there when they reacted to the light-exploding ball that Helen made and Bellamy threw it out from. We can't risk it, even if we desperately need to."
"Draco, as much as I understand that we need to go on, trekking through the dark and all that but-we need to stop," Bellamy suddenly interrupted and said from behind him.
Draco turned around abruptly at Bellamy's statement like he's instantly annoyed and was about to snap at the man that they are not going to stop, since they're still near the proximity of those shadow monsters back there, even though they're distracted at the time for now but then his eyes instantly caught sight of Helen, who is now out of breath and tired, and it looked like she tried her best to hide it but her fatigue and exhaustion won over her body and it's now showing all over her entire being.
"Bloody hell and damn it all, Helen!" Draco cursed softly as he made the 'stop' gesture for the others to heed and do the same. "Why do you have to keep being so stubborn?!"
Helen took a deep breath like she's trying to get herself to keep moving but she couldn't hold back her tired panting breaths from coming out her lips and making visible puffs of air in the cold winter breeze around them. "Draco, don't mind me. I can still go on-!"
"No-nope! You are most definitely not going to continue moving on and all that!" Draco said firmly and looked completely firm on it too. "If you keep this up-you'll end up tripping over your own feet, hurt the kid burdening in your hold, and slowing us down much more than we already have. No, we are stopping just for tonight and continue on tomorrow when the sun rises up high in the sky. No arguments, Helen. Think of yourself and your kids, please."
Draco knew that that was a low blow, but it did the trick into making Helen relent and give up on pursuing on with their journey to keep on moving to leave these forests and she went silent, no longer protesting about it with one hand rubbing over her pregnant belly like she might be soothing her distressed baby moving around inside her or something.
After seeing that Helen is stopping, it's an instant agreement among them that they will too, so they did. And they didn't need to worry about their safety being out in the open, still, in the middle of the vast thick forests, they're in right now because the magical tent the Magicals had before, was securely fortified to keep them safe and secure from any monsters or dangerous creatures out there that might come at them, even without the added protection of the former magical barrier before.
Neville and Luna quickly got the magic tent out and set it up and Draco was the only one standing outside on guard as the others got inside with Bellamy helping Helen into it and Draco didn't come in until one of them comes out and calls for him.
About two hours later, they were already settled in faster than usual or normal it would be, since they didn't unpack their stuff from their magic packs and bags as they know that they'll be leaving again soon, and they only got their necessities out, such as hygiene, food, and water supplies for themselves. Once the others are done inside and finished settling in, it was Neville and Murphy who came out to get Draco, who was still standing outside on guard and on alert for anything that comes at their temporary safe place, armed with only his cane still, much to Murphy's puzzlement and confusion on the reason why the blond wizard has that kind of weapon unless it might be a magical one that he thought in his mind.
"Hey, Draco!" Neville called out for him in soft whispers and lightly slapped his hand on Draco's back to get his attention.
And that was suddenly a wrong move-on Neville's part.
Because Draco nearly jumped high in the air and almost screamed out loud silly like a girl in reaction to Neville's sudden action on touching him but he managed to hold back his reaction before he embarrasses himself in front of the two guys behind him. However, he didn't hesitate to draw out his weapon, revealing that his cane is actually the sheath of a very sharp and long blade sword and he swiftly took it out and swing it right to Neville's neck upon spinning around to confront his 'attacker', which he froze and instantly put his hands up in defense.
When Draco saw that it was just Neville, he groaned with annoyance and sheathed his sword back to its cane-sheath, being graceful and expert in his sword-wielding movements upon leaving no scratch or cut on Neville's neck when he removed it.
"Confound it all, Neville! How many times do I have to tell you-to not do that!?" he snapped at him harshly with a glare.
"Sorry! Murphy and I just came out to get you and have you come in since we're finished and already settled inside the tent," Neville said sheepishly.
"How's Helen?" Draco asked softly, turning back around to gaze at the forest like he's expecting something that might be watching them or lurking in wait to catch them off-guard.
Murphy answered him, "She's fine. Luna had just finished checking her over and then ordered her to rest. The other kids were just waking up from their magic drug-induced state and Luna started on making dinner for all of us, with Clarke and Octavia helping her out."
Draco nodded, still looking intently at the forest with sharp narrowed eyes, and then told Neville and Murphy firmly. "Alright. I'll be coming in soon. I just need to set up a perimeter around our tent in case something else might come sniffing around near here. Since we'll be leaving again by tomorrow at sunrise, I'll be setting up magic wards instead of a barrier. You go on back inside, I'll catch up."
Neville would have stayed behind to be with Draco into helping him set up the magic wards but then Murphy nudged him a little to convince him to get back inside just as Draco told them to do and they did after a short moment's hesitation for Neville before he finally relented and went back inside with Murphy too.
It wasn't long until Draco managed to quickly finish setting up the magical wards to alert him if any danger or threat comes near their tent, and also protect them temporarily with its slightly strong shield around the magical tent. When he turns around and gets inside the tent after he double-checked and made sure that the wards are secure and keeping them safe, he came in just in time to catch and hear the latter conversation that Murphy is having with Bellamy and his friends, telling them the kind of weapon Draco was actually wielding and Clarke and Bellamy looked at the blond incredulously stunned while Octavia looked impressed that he had a sword hidden within the long wooden cane he's been holding the entire time they've seen him wield it.
Draco knew that the other Mundanes haven't seen him in real action, despite the slight swift movement he made before that Murphy saw, but he ignored their looks and just turned away with a sound huff like he's proud of the kind of weapon he chose to wield and use for himself and won't hesitate to show what he's made of so that others won't underestimate him.
By the time they all ate their fill from the dinner quickly made by Luna with help from Clarke and Octavia, they settle in while Bellamy brought a plate of Helen's share when she was ordered to go straight to bed to rest from her tiring ordeal of their long walk and he kindly brought it over so that she won't get up and retrieve it for herself when she gets hungry or thirsty.
It was fortunate that the children didn't notice anything amiss like seeing that they've been moved from their previous safe place and that they were on a journey because they've been magically drugged at the time but it looked like Teddy was smart enough at his very young age to know what's going on, and it seemed like he's not upset or angry about it because he knows that his 'mother' and his other guardians are keeping him and his little siblings safe from danger. The others made sure and helped to get the children fed with dinner and once they're finished, the children instantly decided without question to sleep with their 'mother' Helen in the big bedroom she's in.
Helen woke up a little from her nap upon feeling the children coming in and settle by her side, wanting to cuddle and sleep beside her which she doesn't mind it at all, and she was just about to be finished in tucking them in underneath the comfy furry blankets on their very big soft bed that she and the children will be sleeping together. That's when Helen looked up after kissing Faith on her head good night and sees Bellamy come in with her covered food plate and water bottle, and she smiled gratefully at his kindness for bringing it over to her.
Bellamy smiled at the touching scene of the young pregnant mother with her adopted children lying about and around on the big bed, sleeping peacefully content besides their 'parent' and guardian, and he carefully stepped over them, making sure he's being gentle until he managed to reach towards Helen's side and sit down beside her to give her dinner. Helen smiled at him and thanked him again gratefully for his kind deed and he almost blushed visibly in embarrassment under her praise.
After Helen finished with her dinner and had emptied her water bottle, Bellamy was about to take the empty plates and water container and then leave, but then Helen stopped him with a hand to his arm and shyly asked him if he could stay and sleep beside her and the kids. Bellamy would have refused so that he wouldn't push some kind of boundaries so fast, even if he's really interested in Helen, but it looks like she really wanted the company since she felt a little anxious and a bit frightened from their near-miss ordeal from the dark-kind shadow-type monsters before at their trail, so he decided to relent and stay with her until she's deeply asleep and he can leave once she's deep in slumber with the children.
After a few hours, it didn't take long for Helen and the kids themselves to be fully submerged in their deep sleep without stirring any bit and Bellamy carefully removed himself from the bed and left their side so that he can join whoever is on night guard shift and watch out and protect their group, even though he knew that there are magical wards in place outside and around their tent.
He nearly winced a little when he saw that it was Draco who decided to take the night shift on guard too as per usual and mostly during his time ago back at the beginning of the monster apocalypse, before Bellamy and his group came but it looks like Draco didn't mind the company this time as he just nodded dimly at the young man and let him sit down right beside him.
Despite that Bellamy was being nervous and a little cautious around the blond wizard, Draco was tolerant enough for their guard shift during the night and when Bellamy tried to make small talk so that he can try to get along and be friends with him, Draco just ignored him when he heard him speaking and just gaze upon the darkness of the deep forests like he's intent into watching and looking out for any threats and dangers that might come at them and take them by surprise.
Little did this group know is that by the next day when the new morning of tomorrow comes…there is going to be something that will come at them unexpectedly by surprise but it won't just be a bad kind of monster-but also a good and friendly one.
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STILL IN THE 'MONSTER' INFESTED FORESTS…DAY TIME NOW…
The time passed almost so quickly, as the Magicals set up the magical tent to stay there in the open area somewhere in the middle of the deep thick forests still, only for the night, and it didn't take long for the dawn of the rising sun coming to wake them all up and get themselves ready to pack up, leave, and continue on for their journey again to get out of those dangerous monstrous forests that they're making all their efforts and determination to get out of before they might stumble into trouble or trouble comes hunting for them.
Somehow, sometime during the middle of the night, Bellamy had fallen asleep while on guard watch and he was ashamed of himself for doing such a thing when he should be watching and protecting his group but he was very surprised when Draco was the one who brought him inside the tent so that he can rest and he took over looking out for them for the entire night on guard and staying awake and alert to watch out for any lurking or hidden monsters in the forests in case they might come out or not at them. And so far nothing happened, much to Bellamy's and the whole group's relief upon Draco's report about it.
Even though Bellamy and Helen were the only ones who noticed that Draco is still on guard and alert, his eyes darting about outside like he's trying to spot if there are any lurkers or creatures still hidden under the dark trees beneath the sunlight, the two of them knew deeply that they felt like it's safe for now since the daylight time has come and it is very sunny and bright despite the ongoing cold winter snowy season at the time. They knew that most monsters come out of night and some rarely come out during the day and that's the reason why Bellamy and Helen believed that it's safe for the time being to continue on with their journey even though it still seemed so dangerous upon going down that road but they're determined to see this through to keep their group safe and get themselves to leave the forests quickly before more trouble arises or something.
Just as they finished eating their breakfast and lunch as well, filling up their stomachs much as they can for their long journey ahead, and were nearly ready upon packing up again and going to leave, Draco suddenly overreacted when Neville was about to say something as he was talking to Octavia.
"I'm sure we're going to make it out of here just fine," Neville said, reassuring Octavia like he knew how anxious she's feeling upon continuing their dangerous journey and hiking through these monster-infested forests they're still in. "Besides, what could possibly go-OW! Draco! What the bloody hell was that for?!"
"That-is for nearly jinxing it, you idiotic excuse of a bumbling Gryffindor!" Draco snapped at him harshly when he strode quickly right at Neville and slapped him upside the back of his head, interrupting his latter sentence when he spoke to Octavia before he finished it. "Have you forgotten the last time those 'forbidden' words had been uttered out!?"
Neville instantly remembered when Draco pointedly reminded him of that and he blushed with shame and embarrassment, showing his sincere apology that he almost forgot about the incident at that specific time and the kind of place that happened back then.
Luna looked at Draco and Neville confused but also amused upon understanding what they meant by that, to not utter or speak out those 'forbidden' words or statements they're talking about. "Surely you two do not believe in such things that might or might not actually happen? I thought that you of all people, Draco-would not believe in such nonsense like that."
Draco snorted, "I wouldn't have, actually…if they really did happen to us right at the exact time when the exact wording of that specific kind of phrase or something similar like that, just as it was said. And even if it's a coincidence, Fate or not-it did happen so those 'words' are seriously forbidden to be spoken out loud."
Luna would have pointed out that such words to be said are considered as optimism or another explanation for that but then Helen input her own opinion, agreeing with them. "I second that, Draco. I admit that it has not happened to me yet at this time, but I would rather not take any chances or risks when it does. I don't suppose you made a list of those 'forbidden' words that should not be said?"
Draco nodded in affirmative to Helen's inquiries, silently telling her that he did make a list of it and Luna sighed with exasperation at her friends' paranoia over this.
"Oh, for goodness sake! Please do not say that all of you believe in such nonsense things! It has to be a coincidence-or rather serendipity of sorts, once these optimistic words or statements have been said or as you say it," Luna protested.
Murphy would have also agreed with his crush, but he kept silent about it because he, Bellamy, and his other friends also went through the same thing during their survival through the monster apocalypse and in some of those rare few times back then, upon uttering those kinds of 'forbidden' words have suddenly got trouble, that is the monsters, onto them exactly like how moths instantly flock towards the light or something similar such as that.
Draco snorted and looked at Luna like she's the only one who's gone insane instead of the other three including himself, "You're one to talk! What about you always prattling on and about of your so-called 'existing' mythical creatures, such as the things that you call the Wrackers or the Snorchacks?"
Luna glared at Draco almost very angrily, despite her usual calm and composed sage-like disposition, and retorted back at him with a slightly harsh snap. "It's Wrackspurts and Crumple-Horned Snorkacks. And I'll thank you very much if you learn to correct your term of words as well as your manners, mister."
Helen quickly intervened when Draco was about to puff and huff up like he's itching for an intense word fight against Luna and she swiftly said with raised hands to stop both of them as well as getting in the middle between them for good measure. "Alright! I think it's time we all settle down and finish with our tasks upon packing up and hurriedly leaving this place, okay? Despite that it's bright and sunny outside, let's not linger here longer than we should be."
Her reasonable words and statement had worked into calming both Draco and Luna down and Neville was also relieved that Helen is good with her reasoning as well as breaking down arguments into peace.
But then Luna did-or rather say something unexpected that the other three Magicals tried to stop her but it was already too late.
"You're right. I'm sure nothing-" Luna said brightly.
"NO!" Helen, Draco, and Neville cried out almost loudly in unison.
"-wrong is going to happen and there will be nothing to worry about," Luna calmly finished the sentence that she just said, ignoring how her friends are now staring at her in stunned horror.
"Ohh Merlin…please tell me she did not say what I think she just said!" Neville cried out with wide eyes.
Draco closed his eyes in frustration as he lowly snapped. "Indeed, she did, my friend."
"Luna…why did you have to go and say it?!" Helen cried at her incredulously like she couldn't believe she just did what she did, even after their short discussion about it.
Luna just tilted her head to the side slightly like she isn't phased at all that she did something wrong. "I don't see why it matters anyway. Look-nothing has happened, didn't you notice?"
Indeed, true to Luna's words, after she had uttered the phrase of what she just said out loud, nothing has happened to them yet or anything going on in the area from outside when they heard nothing but the normal animals merrily greeting the day with birds singing and squirrels chattering soundly from the trees of the forests. Luna just smirked triumphantly at them and was about to skip herself merrily out of the magical tent for the others to follow behind her, and she said brightly but she didn't notice or was aware of a sudden looming shadow hovering over the entrance/exit of the tent. "See?! Like I said-all of you were being overly paranoid and over-reacting-EEK!"
A very large and long slimy rope, that looked almost like a tentacle or a monster ant-eater's tongue came swooping in on the tent's hole and tangled and wrapped itself around the startled Luna right at her waist like it's lassoing her, and Luna was completely caught by surprise but she didn't hesitate to struggle and fight and break herself free.
"LUNA!" the others yelled or cried out in surprise and alarm.
"See!? WHAT DID I TELL YOU?!" Draco snapped angrily, swiftly brandishing out the sword from his cane before Murphy was about to snap out of it and bring out his shotgun weapon, as well as Clarke taking out her magic blade, but then Draco beat them to it upon saving Luna when he used the cane sheath to press down the long tentacle from pulling Luna out and after that, he swiftly sliced and cut it into two, causing the monster outside to cry out in pain.
Luna was dropped non-gently once Draco saved her, and the cut-bleeding tentacle flailed around inside the tent, wriggling in agony same time with the pained monster cries before it went out. Upon hearing the cries, Luna's face furrowed worriedly like she somehow sensed that the monster outside might be something else and despite the sudden protests coming from Draco and the others, she ignored them and went out to check on it, much to their shocked disbelief and Draco's annoyed frustration.
"Luna!" Helen and Murphy cried out, trying to stop her from leaving but she did anyway.
"Bloody hell and damn it all! Helen, Clarke-you two stay with the children. The others-come with me, hurry!" Draco ordered and they instantly obeyed him as they grabbed their weapons variously on their person, ready to fight, and quickly chased after Luna before they might find her get hurt or something worse from the monster outside.
Helen told Bellamy to be careful when he was the last one about to leave and he nodded at her before he followed after the others, his magic rifle gun at the ready to aim and fire at whatever monster that is outside lurking by their tent.
However, Bellamy was very much surprised as well as the others, except the relieved Neville and still-annoyed Draco, upon discovering that the monster that just came unexpectedly by their temporary safe place-turned out to be a good friendly kind of monster that Helen mentioned before that there are some of those in existence.
The monster was very large, with its size of both height and width similar to an army tank, but almost bigger than that. And with its formidable but slightly fearsome appearance, it appears that the monster is some sort of combined mutated mix of a heavily armored pangolin and a porcupine. With spikes covering all over its big tail and spikes poking out in between the scaly thick flat armor on its back that almost looked like its thick and strong enough like concrete or titanium steel itself.
But this fearsome-looking kind of monster doesn't appear to be a dangerous one, besides its obvious appearance, because it was curling in almost itself like a protective ball while its spikes seem to retract inwards into its armored scaly body like it's in agony upon having its long tongue being cut and sliced off by Draco's sword, and it also showed that it's truly harmless when it cried out in pained whimpers and frightened whines with teary dilated eyes upon regarding the humans with fear that are approaching near it.
When they saw how the monster acted towards them, they all lowered their weapons, and the only one who didn't was, of course, Draco as he still got his sword out and positioned at the ready to strike again but he lowered its sharp tip down, just in case the monster reveals its true friendly nature or something far worse upon reacting violently hostile or something like that.
So far, the mutated pangolin-porcupine thing just continued whimpering and whining with fear, cowering a bit, while pawing one of its front slightly-clawed paws to its bleeding hurt tongue and it kept backing away a little when Luna tried coming close to it, coaxing in a soft voice to show and tell it that she means no harm, including her human friends and companions.
"It's alright, it's okay…shh…it's alright, we're not going to hurt you," Luna coaxed it in a soft encouraging voice, trying to soothe the pained but very large creature before her with one of her hands outstretched, reaching for it, towards its face.
It's almost like a touching epic kind of moment when Luna reached out her hand like that, slightly similar to where the normal survivors thought of seeing that kind of move from a movie or something as the blond young woman gently reached out towards the very big monster-creature and soothing it with a soft coaxing voice, showing that they mean no harm and everything.
It didn't take long for about a minute or two, for the hybrid-like creature to be finally convinced that these humans are harmless and friendly, and it also showed the same upon revealing its good friendly nature when the big monster nuzzled its long nosey snout against Luna's hand and then her body after she gave it comforting patting touches from both her hands when it got near her.
It still had its tongue out because the creature felt like it didn't want to worsen its bleeding injury any worse than it already is but it looks like it's not helping matters that the icy cold weather is freezing the monster's poor tongue into cold numbness.
Fortunately, Luna had noticed this and quickly told Draco as she comforted the pitiful still-crying creature. "Draco, go back into the tent and retrieve the tongue that you cut off from this poor thing."
Draco looked at her incredulously as he gestured with his sword at the whimpering monster, that seemed to be seeking comfort from the kind gentle Luna and demanded harshly. "Why the bloody hell should I do it!? And what makes you think that this one won't hesitate to tangle you again with its tongue after you healed it?!"
"Ohh, Draco, it's only a baby-besides, it's your fault in the first place for hurting it. It was just curious, that's all," Luna explained.
Draco stared at the whining monster blankly as it stared back at him with frightened tearful eyes upon regarding the blond human as the culprit for harming it before. After a silent moment for only a few seconds, Draco said sarcastically, "In what manner in the kind of universal world you think you believe in-is that thing considered a baby?"
"Draco," Luna said in a very stern and firm voice.
Draco sighed and threw one hand in exasperation as he snapped. "Fine!"
Then he abruptly turned around and muttered to himself, going back into the tent to grab the slimy piece of the tongue that he cut off and immediately come back so that the leftover monster slime or slobber won't stick onto his hands, even when Draco wears protective gloves or something to prevent contamination upon himself.
After seeing that the monster is truly harmless and friendly, the others bravely moved forward to Luna's side, to also join in soothing it and patting it with their hands, so they can marvel at the fact that they just met a good kind of monster for the very first time-except for Luna and her magical friends, who were already used to it since the beginning of the monster apocalypse.
"Oh wow…he's really friendly," Octavia commented in wonder as she patted the monster and rubbed its snout like how she would do it for a domestic pet, and the big monster responded with pleasured soft purrs and rumbles, though it still gave pained whines and whimpers from its injured tongue that's still out and lying limp about.
Neville smiled as he carefully healed the pain from the poor monster with his magic so that it won't feel any more agony and comfort it from feeling any more pain and such. "In case you're wondering how you can tell whether the monsters are the good friendly kinds or the very worst dangerous ones…you can easily tell, just by looking into their eyes."
True enough, upon looking right at the hybrid pangolin-porcupine kind of monster's eyes, they saw that its almost completely-dilated ones gave the impression of its child-like innocence as well as the human-like expressions showing from them of slight fear and curiosity towards the humans that are gathering around and standing by it.
"Wow…!" John Murphy breathed out a gasp of awe and wonder as he and Octavia marveled at the monster's friendliness and slightly gentle goodness as it nuzzled and sniffed at them curiously with its soft snout, despite that half of its face is almost completely covered in its scaly armor but no spikes on them.
Bellamy Blake and Clarke Griffin, on the other hand, were focused upon marveling at the sharp spikes, that are poking out between gaps or holes in between the scaly thick armor and they had their hands rubbing against the flat hard skin like they're testing its strength and defensive measures on the large creature.
"Oh my gosh-this is really fascinating!" Clarke had to remark out loud as she seemed to be in her scientific medical kind of mode when she inspected the slightly gigantic creature before her very eyes and touch. She went and joined the others outside because Helen forced her to go and check on the others and be with them, and she was also amazed at the large friendly creature but focused her attention on its armored scaly, and spiky body instead of its goodness.
"You're telling me…his armor's really hard and thick and-ouch! These spikes are really sharp in all sides, edges, and even the tips themselves!" Bellamy commented when he fingered one of the spikes that are halfway retracting out from one of the gaps and nearly cut his finger upon touching it for studying it closely.
It didn't take long for Draco to come back out from the tent, and he held the cut piece of the tongue with his free hand at arm's length like he's keeping it away in a distance far from himself from being contaminated by its still slimy slobber all over it.
After Luna calmly took the tongue piece from Draco, she used her healing magic to piece together the cut tongue and it was a few seconds later upon instant healing and recovery, that the monster was wiggling its tongue around with joy and glee when it felt that its long tongue is now fine and alright. It even displayed its thankful affections by licking Luna all over with its wriggling slimy appendage and then did the same with the others, making a few of them laugh at the ticklish sensation and only Murphy and Clarke groaned a bit with disgust upon being slobbered on the face or skin by its slimy tongue.
And then the others exchanged knowing amused looks, while Draco suddenly had a foreboding bad feeling when the monster turned its attention right at the blond wizard.
It was a split-second for Draco to instantly realize why the monster was looking at him like that. "Ohh no! Don't you dare-OH BLOODY HELL! I JUST HAD A BATH EARLIER, YOU LITTLE BEAST!"
But it looked like Draco didn't mean it with his cursing as he stood still and let the monster give its licking affections at him, covering him almost completely with the slime of his tongue and he waited until it's done with the thankful gestures before he silently cleaned himself back to neatness with magic. Then he glared at the others when they laughed at him from the sight of the monster licking him all over and making him look like a slobbery mess from head to toe, despite that he neatly cleaned himself quickly with magic.
After that, even though it hurts Luna a little on the inside and disappointed Octavia and Clarke a little, they had to let the monster go and release it back to the wild, after treating and healing its injury. But when the blonde witch encouraged it to go on its way, the monster whined and whimpered, looking at her with teary eyes like it didn't want to leave yet, despite that Luna was being firm on pushing it to go away now.
When the friendly monster saw that they're serious and seemed to catch on that the humans will also be leaving soon, it decided to give more thanks for them all and started vigorously shaking its body like it's about to poop or something, and the others noticed this and thought that it was going to do that and backed away from it a bit.
But it turns out, much to their surprise, the monster is shedding its armored scales, as well as its sharp spikes as they fall almost like rain into the snow-covered ground and it didn't stop until the big creature was sure that it got all the loose scales and spikes off and the shedding finished from its body. After it was done, it gave a soft satisfied hum before it slowly turns around and lumbers in its waddling walk towards the woods, going back to the whatever den or home it belongs to or leaving to some other path it's heading for.
They couldn't believe their kind of good luck when the monster had shed its armored scales and sharp spikes, that can be used as good shields and new weapons to be added into their arsenal. Before the creature left and disappeared into the thick woods, away from their destined direction, they shouted out slightly loud their thanks at it, right when it vanished before their eyes.
They gathered all of them, without missing one little bit or piece but they were being mindful and careful into picking up and handling the spikes as they're really sharp and piercing in all sides and edges, so they had to use one of the armored scales as a shovel to scoop them up and then carry them back to the tent.
Helen was worried when they took a bit longer than usual as they got outside but then was relieved to see them all fine and alright. However, she pouted indignantly, almost making her being look cute upon that expression when the others told her that they met with a good friendly monster instead of a bad one. Even the children were complaining that they were left out of it, but Octavia and Neville entertained them upon telling them about the creature and how it looked like as well as what it did over helping it from its hurt wound, caused by Draco.
Draco didn't look or gave an offended expression when Teddy and Faith bluntly commented at him as being 'mean' towards the friendly creature as he was using his magic to shrink some of the armored scales and sharp spikes so that they'll be packed into the weapons' pack and such. But he left out the necessary number of scales, that they can use as protective shields as well as cover to protect them from the sunlight in case it becomes heatedly hotter or so, despite the cold winter weather.
Helen lamented that she didn't get a good look at that friendly creature because she didn't want to upset the overprotective Draco upon coming outside with them to meet with the monster, and she knew that asking for Luna or Neville to describe what it looked like as best they could, won't be enough, but then Clarke surprised her that she can help upon drawing and coloring it exactly as what the friendly monster looked like when she revealed that she's good at art just like her. Except Clarke admitted that she's not very good or better at it than Helen with her expert artistic hands and such, but Helen gratefully thanked Clarke for the offer and accepted it because she had needed a second pair of hands to help her to draw more about the monsters occupying the whole world and have extra help into putting down more info into the magical guide book of Monsters.
After they have finished and they were done with the last-minute packing and getting ready to set out and leave upon packing up the magical tent, Draco muttered out loud to himself that he hoped that everything will be easy-going and peaceful as they continue with their journey later on.
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STILL AT THE 'MONSTROUS' WOODS…BUT NEARING THE EDGE OF THE END OF LEAVING IT…BRIGHT SUNNY DAY TIME BUT STILL COLD SNOWY WEATHER…
Unfortunately, a few more hours later, Draco's statement that he said to himself from before became untrue, when Murphy voiced out his complaint about almost the umpteenth numerous time. "How much longer or further do we have to walk on through this?"
"Oh for the love of Merlin! You gripe and whine worse than Neville over here!" Draco snapped at him, instantly harsh and sharp like he wants the other man to stop now.
"Hey!" Neville cried out in protest as he turned to look at Draco offended when he heard him say that.
"Well, can you blame him? We've been walking for hours, and we still haven't gotten to the edge of the woods upon getting out of this place yet!" Octavia joined in with the complaining, agreeing with Murphy for once when he voiced it out, but she's keeping it to herself so that Murphy wouldn't know that Bellamy is not the only one on his side.
"Oh! Look over there! We finally made it!" Luna cried aloud, interrupting Draco when he was about to open his mouth and retort back at Octavia, and she pointed it out when they looked to the direction she's looking and pointing at, and much to the relief of all of them, they saw an abandoned-looking warehouse with a vast open field that's being surrounded with a metal-wiring fence like it is some kind of farming storage area or something of the sort.
"Oh thank goodness!" Helen said softly with relief, thankful for Luna's good timing upon stopping a possible rising argument as well as quickly spotting another possible safe place that they can hold up and stay in for the time being.
Helen is also relieved upon seeing the abandoned area as she didn't like the fact that they had to magically drug the four children to sleep again so that they'll continue on with their journey to leave these monstrous woods without any more problems.
But then the relief was short-lived when something unexpected and soon-to-be very bad kind of event is about to happen right there and then.
"OW!"
They abruptly turned around upon hearing the slightly loud cry and saw that their last member on the line-up, which is Helen, had seemed to have tripped over something and fell down right on her knees startled upon not seeing it on time to avoid it.
Bellamy, who is Helen's partner, quickly dropped down next to her side to check on her, as Clarke and Draco came over to also check out and help. And Bellamy handed over to Clarke to grab the sleeping little Annie from his arms into hers, which she didn't have difficultly taking hold of, as Teddy is sleeping in his carrying pack behind her back, which her travel partner Draco didn't mind letting her carry him as he set it up for her.
"Are you all right?!" Bellamy demanded as he moved his hands to check Helen's body for any injuries or wounds she might have gotten from her tripping and falling over.
Helen sighed, and smiled shyly, looking embarrassed. "I'm fine. I believe my ego and pride are the only ones hurt. I think I tripped over something that caught my right ankle down here."
"Odd. I made sure that all our feet are enchanted to tread lightly over snow and walk over anything," Draco murmured softly as he went over to look where Helen is indicating as he told Bellamy. "Hey, look after her and keep her upright. I'll check it out myself and see."
Bellamy nodded and held on to Helen tenderly with both strong and gentle hands as Draco kneels down and brushes the snow off from covering Helen's right foot and see what caused her to trip, and when he found it, his brow furrowed more in confusion upon seeing the puzzling object that caught Helen and made her fall.
It turned out to be worn but not very loose kite string, as it somehow entangled around Helen's ankle tightly like it was a trap intended for someone like her to be caught in it but Draco easily cuts it off when he used the sword after unsheathing it from his cane and brought it out to use it on getting the string off of Helen.
After he did that and patted Helen's leg for good measure that she's now fine and free of it, Draco thought to pull on the string to see where it leads to, but he didn't know that it became his very grave mistake.
When Draco pulled on the tangling kite string and it didn't budge under his lightweight kind of pulling, so he yanked it on it strongly and the kite string revealed, much to their stunned shock and then horror, when the kite string had small bells attached the long line of it until its tied up end part against one of the trees, but the bells almost ring loudly amidst the silence of the surroundings in the very spot of the area they're standing in.
A shocked and very tense silence…and…
GROWLS!
Draco, Helen, and Bellamy-as well as the others slowly looked up upon hearing those foreboding chilling sounds of animal growling, there were also the sounds of chitters and crackles too like it's coming from a very BIG insect-kind of monster.
And it turned out to be true, for there reveals an albino-white kind of gigantic towering Praying Mantis insect monster coming out from the cover of the snowy dark tall trees like its white skin is mutated to blend in similarly to the surroundings of that very snowy forest area they're on.
"Run…RUN!" Draco instantly yelled, pushing Bellamy and Helen back on their feet, and his shouts sparked up and encouraged the others to run for their lives before the monster notices them, but it was already too late.
"KEEP RUNNING! DON'T STOP!" Neville shouted loud as he and Murphy were lingering behind the three girls, making sure that the women and still sleeping drugged children went on first before the others.
"WAIT! DON'T-!" Helen cried out in warning.
And again she was too late to give out her warning when Bellamy tried to move her forward to catch up with the others, and then the monster bug suddenly jumps in the air and crashed right into the way and blocking the path of Helen, Bellamy, and Draco-much to the others' horror and fear upon seeing this.
Octavia tried to run back for her brother, but Neville quickly grabbed hold of her, stopping her with arms strongly wrapping around her waist and pinning her arms, along with slapping one free hand to shut her mouth closed when she was about to cry out for him.
Neville hissed lowly, whispering to the girl's ear, trying to comfort and reassure her that the others will be fine without them. "Don't worry about them! They'll catch up! We need to go to that building-now!"
It took a few seconds for Octavia to be convinced to move on without the others who were trapped under the monster's shadow and Murphy had to trust Neville on this as he, Neville, and Octavia quickly followed right after Clarke when she went through a broken opening in the wire-metal fence and she reached into the building first. Just as she got there and made it first as she placed the two children to lie in a corner side on the warehouse building inside, and then she moved to stand on the doorway, waving at the others to direct them where she is.
The only ones left, at some kind of standing still stand-off with the giant bug beast looming over them, were Draco, who's standing tensely still, and Bellamy, who's hovering over Helen like a protective covering shield. Bellamy turned to Draco and was about to ask him what to do but Helen quickly stopped him from making a sound and did quick meaningful gestures and signing about the great big monster that seemed to be sniffing out for them, searching for its prey.
(No! Don't speak! Or make any sound-that thing can hear us!) Helen signed vigorously. (It's actually blind-but its greatest strength is hearing and touching with its feelers. So we need to stay very still until it thinks that we're not here and then leaves!)
It's a good thing that Bellamy knows a little about sign language, including some kind of charade movements Helen is making, from one of his part-time jobs before the monster apocalypse, back when his mother had become too neglectful into taking care of him and his sister in the past, that he had to take more than two jobs to keep them alive and have a home still.
Draco looked like he also knows sign language too as he waved to get the two others' attention and he also signed meaningfully for them to understand what he's telling them. (In case you haven't noticed-it already knows we're here! So, I do hope that you know its weakness-so we can get out and away from this gigantic bugger!)
(Sorry-it's another unknown monster that I caught a glimpse of, back when I sneaked out to satisfy my pregnancy cravings before. I didn't get the chance to take a look closely and study it to find out what its bloody weakness is!) Helen signed back at Draco with an apologetic look that made the blond man almost threw up his hands in frustration with a look that obviously says 'Figures!'
But then Bellamy suddenly remembered something like a light bulb just turned on in his head, as he remembered when Helen mentioned the 'unknown' kind of monsters. He caught sight and studied the very picture Helen had drawn before at the tent when she showed him her copy of the Monster guide book to him. And he remembered a single part that Helen had written and added the info about the monster insect beast towering over them, now bending over to search and feel for the three tense prey that tried to keep still upon its incoming approach near towards them.
And the fact he had remembered upon seeing it first glance, even though Helen had placed a question mark next to it-is that the giant Praying Mantis monster had smaller feelers from beside the bigger longer ones, that are sensitive.
Thus, Bellamy instantly thinks that sensitive feelers could work as possibly a weakness.
Once, Bellamy had this idea on his head, he gestured at Draco. (Give me your sword!)
Draco looked at him as if he's gone mad or completely crazy.
Bellamy gestured again in a furious movement and gave a meaningful pleading look on his face that he's serious about asking for Draco's sword.
Draco stared at Bellamy with a blank face for a moment before his lips pursed upon deciding that he'll trust this mundane man just this once at this very time, so he swiftly but carefully unsheathed the sword out from his cane as silent like the wind itself and then he deftly threw it at Bellamy's way which he gracefully caught the hilt in expert ease.
Bellamy nodded in thanks and then he tensed at the ready and comforted Helen with his other free hand to reassure her when the monster's head is now moving very closely towards them, the big feelers touching and moving around to look for their prey with its large blind eyes, staring aimlessly at the couple and Bellamy could almost see clearly of his and Helen's reflections on them.
Bellamy waited for the right moment as it came closer and closer. And it's like everything went still and silent.
Except for the sound of a slow heartbeat that only Bellamy can hear.
Bu-bump…
One inch closer.
Bu-bump…
Another inch more.
Bu-BUMP!
SLASH! MONSTER SCREECH!
When the monster's head was almost touching nearly towards the side of the frightened shivering Helen and the readily tense Bellamy, the young black-haired man struck true upon swinging the sword and striking at the inner small feelers he was waiting for to catch sight of, and once he had sliced both ends of the small feelers off, the Praying Mantis monster screeched loudly and abruptly shot its head high up in the skies, its two pincers clawing at its head as it cried out in sudden pain and agony upon being injured.
"GO! RUN!" Bellamy shouted once the three saw that the monster is now distracted by the pain inflicted from him and with his yells, they instantly reacted into running to safety, that is the warehouse building which seemed too far away from them but in reality, they're almost near it since adrenaline and fear is pumping up their entire beings.
Bellamy would have helped Helen by carrying her onto his back, but with her visibly and slightly big pregnant belly, that would have been hard to do so upon carrying her piggy-back style and Helen knew it as well as she gave a meaningful push as well as a determined look on her face that she can still run as fast as she can, even in her delicate condition.
Draco looked back to see if the monster is going to chase after them, but he saw, much to his relief and then added horror, is that the bug monster is still distracted on being in pain from its cut feelers being sliced off and two more gigantic white Praying Mantis monsters have come out of hiding and pounced on their injured one, clawing and tearing it apart as well as eating their own fellow member, like they view their injured ones as weak and added food source too.
The injured Praying Mantis monster tried to fight back but it was no match for the two stronger ones as they tore him apart with their pair of pincers and it succumbed to its dying fate when the other Mantis monsters clawed and ate him to pieces until there's nothing left.
Draco, Helen, and Bellamy made it on time on getting through the open doorway that Clarke and Neville held it open for them and went inside just as the two slammed the door closed and bolted it shut with a door bar that's set up on it to lock it tight from the inside.
But Draco knew that they're not safe inside this abandoned building just yet, and he ordered vehemently to Neville, Luna, and even Clarke and Murphy, upon giving them a sample drawing in a small paper of some kind of symbol they need to draw on the walls in large sizes they can manage, on all the sides of the building they're in.
Neville and Luna nodded as they grabbed their cans of spray paint and went off to do just that upon drawing the symbol Draco indicated and Clarke and Murphy were both confused and puzzled on the reason why Draco insisted on them to draw the exact symbol he gave a sample on the paper he showed them off, but the blond wizard didn't have time to explain as he told them in meaningful snaps that they take a spray-paint can and do as he says without question, and that he'll explain the reason later once they're done with their tasks.
Clarke and Murphy immediately did as Draco ordered them to do, and the blond man instantly went to work on getting busy, making some kind of magic circle on the floor in the center of the room he's standing on, and he worked on it fast on his drawing of it with white chalk that he made sure he was prepared to have some in his coat pockets.
Bellamy helped Helen to sit down next to his sister Octavia besides the still-drugged sleeping children that are lying on comfortable sleeping bags and cots that she pulled them out earlier from one of the magic bags, which Helen nodded at Octavia gratefully for doing so and she gingerly sat down next to the sleeping Teddy with a soft tired sigh and reassured herself that the children were fine when one of her hands hovered over them to pat and touch them in comfort.
After Draco is done with the magic circle and the four people had come back upon finishing their tasks into spray-painting all the wall sides of the building from outer and inner corners of the very area they're inside of, the blond wizard demanded his sword back from Bellamy and he threw it back at him which he easily caught and the Mundane normal people watched stunned shocked, except the knowing magical ones, when Draco just cut his palm open with the blade of his sword and have his hand bleeding continuously like water falling from a jug and he poured it onto the magic circle on the center, spacing, and then the lining, making the white colors suddenly glow in an eerie bright red shine.
It was when the looming shadows of the other two big Praying Mantis monsters were approaching towards the buildings and nearly covering the windows outside of the warehouse, that Draco looked his head up with a determined expression, and then he growled with a small snarl.
"You…will not PASS!"
Once he said that out loud, he swiftly sheathed the sword back to his cane and then he twirled it around like it's a baton and then struck its end down like it's a wizard's magic staff, right into the middle of the magic circle he drew and poured his blood on, instantly activating the magic upon it and have it spread all around the building from both inside and out of it.
The glowing bright red lines spread out like they're connecting to the other painted symbols that Neville, Luna, Clarke, and Murphy had drawn all around the building and once they connected, a big magical wave spread widely to everything in the building until the entire place and area are engulfed in it.
And finally, when it faded away, it's like the soft thumping or bumping noises from outside, caused by the two giant bug monsters have become faint because the warehouse building is now magically shielded and fortified, thanks to Draco's swift magic circle he created to keep them safe in there.
Once the soft-like noises faded away and Bellamy moved bravely to take a quick peek upon looking outside through the windows, and then he sounded to the others after a silent tense moment that the monsters are gone, and they all slumped with relief, except the still Draco standing on the now-fading glowing magical circle, upon knowing that it's now safe and secure for them inside the abandoned building.
Even though they've managed to escape and get away from the forests upon braving the monstrous woods before-it doesn't mean that they're completely safe in that magically secured fortified building…for now.
Onto the next thrilling adventure…that awaits for this group of survivors in the next chapter.
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AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Another chapter is done and mission accomplished, I hope you like it!
I hope you like this very LONG chapter and enjoyed it!
There will be more for this story and others very soon, I promise!
Enjoy Readers!
PLEASE REVIEW OR COMMENT!
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