CHAPTER 14: Lost in the Woods

They focused on finding the portal through the forest and seemed to be making no progress.

Ron finally spoke "you know all we need to do is find the portal and we've been walking for a while now. Don't you think we should rest and maybe look through our map once again?"

"That's a good idea though" Lila said in agreement.

They arranged their things and cleared the ground so they can sit. Lila's mind kept going back to the possibility of them not finding the portal.

"Ron, do you really think we would find the portal. I don't want to sound like a coward but what do you think about this mission?" She asked.

"That doesn't matter for now, all we have to do is focus on finding it. Anything that happens later doesn't matter for now" Ron assured.

She liked how calm and collected he was. The way he counted his words made him even more charming.

"This forest is so big. I just hope one of our teams find the portal" Lila says.

After resting for a while, they begin their search again. After an endless search which seemed like an eternity, they noticed it was evening already and they found nothing.

"Oh my goodness, it's 5pm already" Lila exclaims.

"I think we should go back to the hotel" Ron tells her. "It's not safe here. Unless you're ready to battle with a demon miss Lila" run says with a laugh.

"Of course, I'm ready for anything even a demon" Lila says back with a giggle.

Just then, they hear growling sounds coming from the background. They didn't need to be told what was out there.

"Ohh shit, speak of the devil" Lila exclaims.

"It's a demon and it's headed straight for us"Ron shouted.

"I don't know why we have to be the ones meeting demons every time. Are we bad luck?" Lila asked rhetorically.

"Bad luck is the last thing we should be called right now. If this demon succeeds in killing us, we'll be dead meat mi amor. Just get yourself ready to fight" Ron tells her.

Heavy thumps is heard on the forest grounds which seems to be vibrating, an impact of the demon approaching. They could feel the demon getting closer by the second. They were both ready. They see the demon coming right at them. A big scary one at that.

They begin to doubt any possibility of them beating this large creature.

"Ron, this thing will kill us" Lila screamed in fear.

"No, I have a plan. We attack it. If we can't match it's strength, we run for it" Ron says.

The creature reaches them finally. Lila and Ron could feel the hair on the back of their necks stand up as they sensed danger. It had glowing red eyes and a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth. Lila and Ron stood frozen in terror as the demon advanced towards them. With a mighty roar, the demon lunged at them. They ran as fast as they could, but the demon was quick and agile, closing in on them with every step. Just when it seemed like all hope was lost, They turned a corner and found themselves at the edge of a steep cliff, with the demon still hot on their heels. "What do we do now?" Lila cried out, panic rising in her voice. Ron spotted a rickety rope bridge leading across the ravine, and without a moment's hesitation, he grabbed Lila's hand and pulled her towards it. They ran across the bridge, their hearts pounding in their chests. Just as they reached the other side, the demon lunged at them, but it was too late - the bridge snapped in half, sending the demon plunging into the abyss below and them lost in the thick forest.

"Ron, I think we lost it" Lila screamed in excitement.

"Yes we did, but right now we should focus on finding our way out of here. It seems we are lost" Ron explains.

"Lost, how will we find our way back to the hotel" Lila panicked.

"The map" Ron suggested.

After looking through the map for any possible idea of where they are, they both a seem frustrated.

"I don't think we can find our way out of here. Even if we can, it's getting late already. It would be dark as hell before we would get back to the hotel and that's not safe. Imagine how many other demons we would encounter on our way back"Ron says.

"Wait, are you saying we will be spending the night here?" She asked.

"Yes, that's what it seems like right now" Ron says.

"B…b…both of us?" She asked again.

"Yes, do you have any problem with that?" Ron answers coldly not sure of what to think of the current situation.

"Uhm…there's no problem but everyone will be worried about us" Lila asks worried.

"They know I'm here to protect you, you won't die" Ron said with a smirk.

Even though it sounded funny, it gave Lila some assurance that they will be safe.

"All we have to do now is pitch a tent, make fire and we are good to go" Ron assured her.

Lila didn't know what to make of the situation. She would be spending a night alone with Ronald in a thick forest. She feared he would give her the silent treatment like the other night.

"I'll gather sticks for the fire" she spoke. "You can start pitching the tent.

After everything was done, Lila couldn't help but admire how Ron pitched the tent. She seemed to be liking everything he did without realizing.

"This is so nice, maybe you could teach me sometime" she says.

"If you're ready to learn, I do not take lazy students" Ron said sarcastically.

"That's not nice to say" she retorted punching him lightly on his chest.