Veil Of The Wild

The sun rose in the morning, creeping over the horizon and sending a golden glow through Aiden's bedroom window. He blinked open his eyes, his chest still racing from the night before. Today was the day. He needed to know what was on the other side of that cave.

After a hasty breakfast, he took his bag, packed with supplies, and out the door. His mind whirled, trying to make sense of the dream-like events of the previous night. When he neared the periphery of the city, Elena was already by the car, her expression torn between determination and fear.

"Ready?" she asked, speaking firmly but having her nerves shown in her eyes.

Aiden nodded. "Let's get this done."

They returned to the woods, the city's bustle dwindling into a distant hum. The route they had followed the previous night was more accessible during the day, but the recollection of those golden eyes and quivering tails remained etched in Aiden's memory. They arrived at the cave entrance, the same wide mouth that had devoured the enigmatic figures whole.

They entered together.

The blackness was instantaneous and overwhelming, their footsteps echoing off the walls. Aiden turned on his flashlight, its beam cutting through the darkness. They crept forward slowly, each sound being magnified in the silence. The further they went, the colder the air became, and the feeling of unease grew.

Just when Aiden believed they were lost, a distant light glowed up ahead. They picked up speed, coming out on the other end of the cave into a surprising sight.

A thick, widespread jungle lay before them, and the sky overhead was a deep black, speckled with stars. It was night here, even though it had been morning only a moment before. Aiden and Elena stood there in stunned looks, both trying to wrap their heads around the impossibility of what they were witnessing.

"This is. unbelievable," Elena breathed, her white breath rising in the cold air.

Aiden nodded, not able to look away from the scene. "We have to know what's happening here."

As they proceeded deeper into the jungle, the calls of night creatures echoed through the air. They traveled cautiously, their senses heightened. Then, a rustling sound caught their attention. They stood stock-still, seeing a huge, shadowy form passing through the trees.

Aiden had a flash of terror but battled to remain steady. "Hold close," he breathed to Elena.

The shape moved into the moonlight, and its form was seen. Half bird, half man, it possessed the head and beak of a vulture, with tangled locks of hair and wings spread wide. Its claws scraped against the earth, and its eyes were filled with a strange, knowing light.

The monster shrieked a blood-curdling cry, and out of the darkness stepped more silhouettes—bird-like creatures with human faces. They surrounded Aiden and Elena, their hands eager and feral.

"Run!" Aiden yelled, taking Elena's hand.

They ran through the jungle, the creatures hot on their heels. Elena tripped, crying out as one of the vulture creatures cut her arm with its talon. Blood seeped through her sleeve, but she continued on, adrenaline driving her from the attacker.

Aiden felt a sharp pain in his back as another creature's beak found its mark. He stumbled, falling to the ground with a groan. Elena skidded to a halt, trying to help him up, but he was too weak to stand.

"Go, Elena! Leave me!" Aiden urged, his voice strained.

"I'm not leaving you!" she cried, her eyes filled with determination.

The vulture creatures advanced, tongues darting in and out as they closed in for the kill. Aiden and Elena stood ready for the worst, gasping in unison with racing hearts.