The wild fox stood right in front of me.
Everything went still.
Yue slowly stepped in front of me, her breathing faint, her body tense- as if she had already decided she would protect me no matter what.
The fox stretched its paw forward. Its claws slid out, sharp and slow, its body lowering… ready to strike.
My chest tightened.
This is it.
But before anything could happen-
Yue reached out and gently held its paw.
Time seemed to pause.
The fox froze… then leaned in, sniffing her softly.
Its tail began to wag.
For a second, my mind refused to process what I was seeing.
What… is this?
"Yue…" I whispered, my voice barely steady. "Do you… know it?"
The fox suddenly turned toward me and let out a sharp, angry shriek.
I instinctively stepped back.
But the moment it looked at Yue again, its tone softened, small, gentle yaps replacing the hostility.
Yue murmured something under her breath, brushing its fur with slow, careful movements.
And just like that… the tension melted.
"Lu…" she said softly, glancing back at me. "Don't be scared. He won't hurt you. Trust me."
He?
Right. Not important. As long as he doesn't rip me apart.
Yue gave a small signal with her hand.
The fox turned and disappeared into the trees without another sound.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
"Okay… but we need to report this to the teachers."
Yue shook her head immediately.
"No. If we tell them, they'll panic. They might even cancel everything and make us leave. Everyone is enjoying this… why ruin it?"
I stared at her.
"Yue, that thing is dangerous. Of course we should leave!"
"Please," she said, her voice softer now. "Just trust me. I can protect everyone. And we're leaving tomorrow anyway… so why create panic now?"
That confidence… where is it coming from?
"Yue- "
A sudden force pulled me back.
"What are you doing with him?!"
Zhan.
Yue didn't answer.
She only looked at him, cold, sharp and then turned away, walking off without a word.
Zhan's grip on my arm tightened.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine…" The words came out automatically.
Though honestly… nothing about this feels fine. And how did he even know I was here?
Before I could think further, Lian rushed toward us.
Zhan let go instantly.
Lian grabbed my arm and pulled me along, and soon we were all back at the center of the forest.
Shaan and Tera had already placed their five clues.
The final key was revealed.
One by one, everyone gathered.
Teacher Jun Li stepped forward.
"The winners are… Shaan and Tera!"
Cheers broke out.
The mystery box was opened.
Inside were two crystal balls, glowing faintly, almost unreal in their beauty.
Everyone celebrated as we made our way back to the resting area.
But I couldn't settle down.
That fox… Yue… the way it listened to her…
None of it made sense.
"Lian," I whispered. "Come with me."
We found a quiet spot.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I need to tell you something. And it stays between us."
He nodded.
"This island isn't safe. I saw a wild fox in the forest."
"That's not possible."
"I'm serious. I saw it clearly."
Lian let out a small sigh.
"Do you know why people are allowed on this island?"
I stayed silent.
"It was formed from the ocean. No native wildlife exists here. Even insects came later. Larger animals can't reach this place, it's too far."
He looked straight at me.
"So how did you see a fox?"
"I'm not making this up! Yue was there too. She even… talked to it."
"Yue?" His expression changed instantly. "What's going on with her? I need to talk to her."
"No, don't." I stepped forward quickly. "I promised her I wouldn't tell anyone."
He hesitated… then exhaled.
"Fine. But you listen to me."
I nodded.
"You're not going anywhere alone. Stay in the resting area. Only come out when teachers call us."
"Why?"
His voice softened, but his eyes didn't.
"Because since we came here… strange things keep happening. And somehow, you're always in the middle of it."
That didn't sound comforting at all.
"I don't want anything to happen to you," he added.
…seriously, why does that sound like a warning?
"Fine," I said. "I'll stay."
"Good. Let's go back."
That night, I fell asleep.
Or at least… I thought I did.
Cold air brushed against my skin.
I opened my eyes.
The forest.
I was standing in the middle of it.
"…what?"
Shapes surrounded me.
Animals.
So many of them.
Silent.
Watching.
Not hostile… not afraid…
Guarding something.
Something deeper.
My body felt heavy.
Then-
My legs moved.
On their own.
"No… wait."
I tried to stop.
Nothing happened.
Step by step…
I was walking forward.
Deeper.
Further.
Too far.
By the time the panic fully hit me-
I was already inside.