The leaves crackled under his feet as he strode through the wilderness, his salmon colored hair flowing the strong breeze. The prince had been especially worried lately about Star, the girl not having come out of her room for weeks. And he didn't even know why.
Even Tom was not sure why he decided to visit her at this hour. Even down in the Underworld it was still 3 am.
Dim light emitted from the tip of the boy's hair, it casting an orange shadow on the bushes on either side. He seemed to be the only one there physically, but somehow he had the feeling that he was being watched. Watched from all directions, all surfaces, all angles. He needed to get inside quick.
Bushes rattled behind him, sending a cold shiver down his spine. With a deep breath, Tom still continued forward, not wanted to give up hope of seeing his princess at long last. Thoughts of Star filled his mind, her bubbly persona bringing a goofy grin to his cheeks. It was then when he saw it.
He only saw it for less than a tick, it flying by like a high speed jet plummeting towards the ground. The shadow seemed to retreat back to the bushes, almost as if it was never there. The boy couldn't take it anymore. This forest was driving him mad. Still glued to the ground, he searched for cover, only finding a small pond hidden in-between a few of the densely packed trees. It was the best he had. Saying a single prayer to those below him, he jumped in.
He was not used to the cold depths of water. He had only been in it once before, and he had never considered ever going alone. The sheer mention of the experience brought terror to his mind, but none of that mattered now. All he had to do now was wait.
A few brief moments passed where nothing happened, nearly prompting him to come out of his cover and continue on. Soon though he floated there petrified, as he finally saw his pursuer in full view.
The shadow had a disfigured shape, it having small remnants of a human form. It loomed over the water like an grizzly bear over its prey, it's piercing yellow eyes staring straight through him. However, as quickly as it had appeared, it left without a trace.
Tom peaked his head out from his hiding spot, taking in a deep breath of relief. This encounter could only mean one thing. He knew those eyes anywhere, the mark of a deadly parasite taking another victim.
He needed to warn Star before it was too late.
Star woke up in a cold sweat. What just happened? Looking around her, it appeared as if she was still in her own room. That was good to see. However, the rest of her surroundings told a majorly different story. Half of her furniture was dripping wet despite it being completely normal the day before, sending a cold shiver down her spine. Her balcony door was flung open, swift Mewman wind blowing the curtains towards the center of the room. What happened here? The sky was dark, signalling it was still early morning. All of Mewnie was quiet, gentle citizens and criminals alike still soundly asleep in their beds. The thought put her mind at ease.
Suddenly, a loud bang erupted from inside her closet. The sound made the girl jump, prompting a small squeak to escape from her mouth. Then, silence. Her mind rattled with questions as she slowly tip-toed towards the ajar door of her "closet of secrets." Only God knows what she would find in there. Could it be a robber? Monster? Taking one last deep breath, Star slowly peered in through the cracks of
the door frame.
"Tom?!"
The demon was curled up into a small ball rocking back and forth, muttering to himself as if in a trance. The anger in Star's face immediately changed to concern as she waved her hand in front of his stone-faced expression. No response. He was soaked head-to-toe, causing steam to rise up from his skin. She began leaning in closer, trying to decipher the phrase he seemed to be repeating over and over again under his breath.
"He's… back. H...he's back. H..h.. he's.. back."
The girl's eyes widened as she listened intently to the traumatized boy before her, gawking in horror. "Who's back..."
"M… monster. Monster is back. The time has come. R…..run. For me. Pl… please."
Tom grew more pale by the second. There was something he wasn't telling her. Why was he so wet? What had happened to him? It was then that she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. She was petrified.
"Fly you fool."
Star didn't hesitate. She gripped down hard on her wand and turned around, finding nothing there. It didn't matter. Taking one last glance at crippled boy behind her, Star lept from her balcony, summoning a small cloud beneath her to break the fall. She kept running and never looked back. Straight into the Forest of Certain Death.