The kid flinched as soon as she came in contact with the spores and Maria felt the hold of magic lessen around her. This was her chance to run away now. The forest was so close to her now and all Maria had to do was cross the threshold.
However, she could also see a pair of glowing eyes tracking her from the shadows. The eyes were tracking her with blood-lust mixed in that expression. It made Maria freeze in her tracks as she locked eyes with the beast.
It looked hungry, its eyes freezing Maria in the way of her escape. It had an intensity that made her hesitant to take a step forward but that was not the only reason Maria was hesitant to step into the forest. The real reason was the barest hint of magic Maria could feel pouring out of the beast.