The dense fog, like curdled milk, steeped the surrounding space in chaos.
Lucas Lockwood tensed his back muscles, standing before Josie Quinn like a solid wall.
An ice spike condensed in his left hand, poised to strike. His gaze swept vigilantly over their surroundings, watching for any movement.
Josie Quinn also gripped her dagger tightly, her breathing shallow.
"Lucas Lockwood," Josie Quinn whispered, straining to catch the faintest sound in the fog. "Do you hear anything?"
The surroundings were as quiet as a vacuum.
Before Lucas Lockwood could respond, he acted, forcefully yanking Josie Quinn behind him.
The ice spike in his hand shot through the thick fog with a soft HISS.
Josie Quinn followed suit, slashing wildly with her dagger into the white mist, trying to drive back whatever was approaching. But her blade only stirred a few wisps of fog.
"Watch out!"
Josie Quinn whipped her head around, but she was a step too late.
