"Run."
They both moved at the same time.
No arguing.
No thinking.
Just instinct.
The boy shot forward, his body reacting faster than his thoughts.
The girl followed right beside him—not behind, not ahead—keeping pace in a way that felt controlled, not forced.
"…You can actually keep up," he said while running.
"…You're not as fast as you think," she replied.
"…That's rude."
"…It's true."
"…Still rude."
Above them—
Shadows moved along the rocks.
Keeping up.
Watching.
Waiting.
The narrow path made it worse.
No room to dodge.
No space to break direction.
The boy didn't like it.
"…This place is bad," he muttered.
"I told you," she said.
"…You also walked into it."
"So did you."
"…That doesn't help."
A loud sound echoed behind them.
Stone cracking.
The boy glanced back.
Big mistake.
A figure dropped down behind them.
Not one of the three from before.
Someone new.
Fast.
"…That's worse," the boy said.
"Focus!" she snapped.
He looked forward again and pushed harder.
His legs burned.
His chest tightened.
But he didn't slow.
Not now.
They reached the end of the narrow path—
And stopped.
Dead end.
"…You've got to be kidding me," the boy said.
The girl stepped forward, checking the wall.
Solid.
No opening.
No escape.
"…This wasn't here before," she said quietly.
"…What?"
"…The path shouldn't end like this."
"…So now the ground is also against us?"
"…Looks like it."
The boy turned around slowly.
Behind them—
Three figures blocked the exit.
Not the same ones.
These felt different.
Heavier.
Stronger.
"…I don't like this level," he said.
"…This isn't a game," she replied.
"…It feels like one."
"…Then we're losing."
"…I noticed."
The air grew heavier.
One of the figures stepped forward.
"No more running."
The boy tilted his head.
"…You say that like it works."
The man didn't smile.
Didn't react.
That was worse.
The girl moved slightly in front of him.
Not fully.
Just enough.
The boy noticed.
"…What are you doing?" he asked.
"…Nothing."
"…You stepped in front."
"…Did I?"
"…Yes."
"…Must be a mistake."
"…That's not a mistake."
"…Focus."
He sighed.
"…People are confusing."
The figures moved.
Slow.
Careful.
No rush.
Like they already won.
"…I don't like how calm they are," the boy said.
"Me neither."
"…Got a plan?"
"…No."
"…Same."
Pause.
"…Then what do we do?" he asked.
She looked at him.
Really looked this time.
"…You trust me?"
He blinked.
"…No."
"…Good."
"…That's not the answer I expected."
"…But it's honest."
He thought for a second.
"…A little."
She nodded once.
"…That's enough."
Before he could ask—
She grabbed his arm.
And pulled him forward.
Straight toward the wall.
"…That's a rock," he said.
"I know."
"…We can't run through rock."
"…You can't."
"…What does that mean?"
"…Jump."
"…Where?"
"…Up."
He looked up.
High.
Too high.
"…That's stupid," he said.
"…You said that before."
"…Because it still is."
"…Do it."
No time.
The figures were already moving faster now.
Closing in.
The boy clicked his tongue.
"…If I die, I'm blaming you."
"Later," she said.
He jumped.
High.
Higher than before.
Using everything he had.
His feet hit the wall—
Pushed—
Turned—
Jumped again.
Higher.
The girl followed.
Not as high.
But precise.
Together—
They reached a narrow ledge above.
Barely enough space.
The figures below stopped.
Looking up.
"…Now what?" the boy whispered.
The girl didn't answer.
Because—
Above them—
Another shadow moved.
Waiting.
"…This keeps getting worse," the boy said quietly.
The girl nodded.
"…Yeah."
And for the first time—
Neither of them moved.
Because now—
Running wasn't the problem.
It was where to run next.
End of Chapter 21