Karl’s heart pounded as he ran, his breath coming in quick, shallow bursts. His legs were starting to ache, but he didn’t dare stop.
He glanced behind him—and there she was.
Her head gleamed under the faint yellow streetlights, and her eyes locked onto him like a predator stalking prey. She was grinning, and somehow that made it worse.
"Oh, come on, pretty ghost! You’re not gonna outrun me forever!" she called out, her voice echoing eerily in the empty streets.
Karl’s eyes widened in panic.
His feet skidded slightly as he veered to the right, darting down another street.
Where the hell is everyone?
His chest heaved as he kept running, his robes catching on branches and loose rocks as he stumbled forward.
Why does this always happen to me?!
The houses growing sparse. The thick fog swirled around him, making it harder to see.
Karl’s lungs burned, and sweat trickled down the side of his face.
But even as he gasped for air, he could hear her footsteps—getting closer.
I can’t keep this up...
He swerved again, ducking behind a well, hoping to lose her. But just as he slowed, he felt a hand graze his shoulder.
"Ahhh!!" Karl screamed, jerking forward as if his feet had caught fire.
Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes.
Hia heart sank as Sasa’s face twisted with anger, her eyes burning red under the dim streetlights.
"You made us run so much!!" she growled, her voice sharp and breathless.
Before he could take another step, her two witch friends appeared beside her, panting but grinning wickedly.
One grabbed his left arm, the other his right.
Karl’s eyes widened in panic. "H-Hey, let me go!" He squirmed, but their grip tightened, fingers digging into his sleeves.
"Let’s take him to the corner," Sasa sneered, brushing sweat from her bald head.
Karl’s legs nearly gave out.
He didn’t like the sound of that at all.
"W-Wait, hold on! I didn’t do anything!" Karl stammered, trying to tug himself free, but the two witches dragged him along without a second thought.
His heart raced faster, eyes darting around desperately. The further they pulled him, the more fewer houses there were.
The dirt road grew emptier and quieter as they continued, eventually stopping near a thick, twisted tree.
The branches stretched out like clawed hands in the fog, and the shadows beneath it were deep and cold.
Karl swallowed hard, his chest rising and falling quickly.
"L-Look, there’s no need for this... Let’s just talk, yeah?" He forced an awkward smile, his baby blue eyes wide and pleading.
Sasa leaned closer, tilting her head.
"Oh, don’t worry," she purred, her hand gently tracing the side of his face.
"We’ll talk plenty," she whispered with a grin. "Right after we’re done playing."
Karl’s breath hitched.
His entire body stiffened as Sasa’s cold fingers brushed along his cheek, her sharp nails trailing lightly over his skin.
His breath came out in shaky gasps, and no matter how hard he tried to twist away, the witches gripping his arms held firm.
The fog seemed thicker here, wrapping around the twisted tree like a veil. The branches creaked softly in the wind, casting eerie shadows over the dirt ground.
Karl’s eyes darted around, desperate to find someone—anyone.
But the area were empty. Not a single soul in sight.
"L-Look, there’s no need for this... Let’s just talk, yeah?" he stammered, his voice trembling.
Sasa’s eyes glinted with amusement. She stepped closer until their faces were inches apart, and Karl could smell the faint, bitter Disgusting scent of cheap perfume.
Her grip on his chin tightened slightly, tilting his head up so he had no choice but to look her in the eyes.
Karl’s breathing grew shallow.
The witches holding him snickered, one of them tugging at the sleeve of his robe.
"Nice fabric," one said with a smirk. "Maybe we should take it."
"Please, no!" Karl shouted, his voice cracking as panic seized him. His feet scraped against the dirt, trying to pull away. "Someone save me! Please!"
His cries echoed through the empty streets, but no one answered.
Sasa’s eyes narrowed dangerously, and without hesitation, she raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face.
Karl’s head snapped to the side, his cheek burning from the force of it. A sharp, metallic taste filled his mouth as he felt a trickle of blood slide down the corner of his lips.
He stood frozen for a second, stunned.
Sasa leaned in, her lips curling into a sneer. "I’ve been soft on you, and you think you can take advantage of my kindness?" Her voice was low, sharp, and dripping with irritation.
Karl trembled, his baby blue eyes wide and filled with tears that threatened to spill. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. His hands clenched at his sides, nails digging into his palms.
He could feel the weight of the two witches still holding him, their fingers like iron on his arms. His heart pounded so loudly it echoed in his ears.
Sasa grabbed his chin roughly, forcing him to look at her.
"You’ve got some nerve, screaming like that," she muttered, wiping the blood from his lips with her thumb. Her touch wasn’t gentle—it felt more like a warning.
Karl swallowed hard, feeling a knot tighten in his throat.
"I... I didn’t mean to..." he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Sasa’s eyes flashed with amusement. "Oh, I know you didn’t. But that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook."
Karl’s breathing quickened, and he felt his legs weaken beneath him.
Where is everyone...?
He squeezed his eyes shut, silently begging for someone—anyone—to appear.
Big tears welled up in Karl’s eyes, blurring his vision as his heart pounded in his chest. His lower lip trembled, and for a brief moment, he felt hopeless.
A familiar voice broke the tense silence.
"Why are you holding him?"
—To be continued...🪄