Love Unbreakable by Bank Brook

“How did you get out here?” she asked, taken aback by his sudden appearance.

There was no reply from the man, his visage betraying no emotion, a void in the darkness.

Inside, the elderly woman with a crown of snow-white hair, known as the chief, asked, “Emerie, who’s lurking outside?”

Emerie stole a glance at the youthful man before her and answered with composure, “Chief, it’s merely the breaking of a cocoon.

”

“It’s silly to be startled by a little thing,” the chief grumbled irritably.

“My apologies.

Chief, I’ll handle it,” Emerie assured, sending a silent command to the man, warning him to remain still.

With that, she retrieved the victim she had abandoned, closing the door firmly behind her.

Glancing at the man, she whispered, “Mr.

Watts, let’s go.

”

Obediently, Roscoe followed Emerie.

As the silence descended once more, Nicole brushed off the foliage clinging to her body and rose slowly.

Nicole’s face was still pale, having nearly been exposed.

A timely intervention had saved her, a kick to her ankle sending her tumbling beneath a cascade of leaves just as Emerie emerged.

Though Nicole hadn’t glimpsed her savior, the name spoken confirmed it.

He was Roscoe.

Could it be that he retained some semblance of sanity, pretending to have amnesia?

Nicole couldn’t comprehend it all, but she knew one thing for certain.

Roscoe had rescued her.

Perhaps the parasite hadn’t entirely consumed Roscoe’s mind and perhaps he feigned obedience.

This notion ignited a flicker of hope within Nicole.

If they could unite, their chances of escape would be better.

Returning to the tree she had ascended earlier, Nicole embarked on the arduous climb upward.

Recalling Roscoe’s whispered instruction to urge her to go back, Nicole pondered its significance.

The mention of another pill from Emerie hinted at her safety until the impending ceremony in three days.

As for the pill’s efficacy, Nicole assumed she had already consumed two doses.

A third seemed inconsequential.

If it indeed proved to be some pills with effects equivalent to those elixirs, perhaps Austin wouldn’t have to endure his affliction.

A remedy might be on the horizon.

Yet, despite her improved condition, Nicole remained wary of allowing Austin to digest the pill without uncovering its content and side effects first.

She resolved to seek proper medical attention upon escape to verify the effects.

Struggling upward, Nicole reached for the door.

A sudden gust caused her legs to tremble and a scarlet serpent whizzed past her ear.

The guard serpent woke up and assailed her for moving forward.

In a heartbeat, Nicole darted back to her initial spot, narrowly evading the serpent’s reach.

Upon reentering the marked area, the serpent surprisingly stopped its attack.

In the faint glow, Nicole spotted a fine dusting of sulfur on the ground, a substance the serpent seemed to dread.

This realization eased her nerves.

The supposed sorcery was merely a facade meant to evoke fear and reverence.

With newfound confidence, Nicole understood the urgency of sealing the door before Emerie returned and uncovered her little trip out.

The serpent, now awake, wouldn’t succumb to slumber again anytime soon.

Nicole deliberated briefly before gathering a handful of the sulfur powder, poised for action.

Time crawled as Nicole prepared.

Finally, seizing her chance, she dashed toward the door.

The serpent, witnessing her departure from the marked area, hissed and lunged at her.