(POV – Oliver Bennett)
Oliver kept his eyes alert around the lake, his gaze slowly sliding over the dark, muddy surface of what could once have been called water. The silence around him was heavy, almost suffocating, broken only by the occasional croak of a frog hidden among the reeds. The mission was still incomplete — crucial pieces were missing for the puzzle to finally come together. Until then, all Oliver could do was wait.
While waiting silently, Oliver heard footsteps approaching through the snow. The soft, rhythmic sound of footsteps on the fluffy snow was unmistakable, as if each step sank slightly into the cold. He turned his gaze toward the sound and spotted Edward and Sophie walking his way.
He said nothing. He just watched as the two approached, their faces serious, their eyes heavier than words. Oliver didn't need to hear them to understand — just the way they looked at him, as if the truth was already written in the cold air between them. He remained still, resigned. He already knew how this conversation would end before it even began.
Edward was the first to break the silence, his voice carrying the usual casual tone, as if the biting cold around them didn't bother him at all: "Nothing yet. I searched everywhere and didn't find any sign of what we're looking for. Seriously, how much longer do we have to stay in this freezing place?"
Sophie, standing beside Edward, shared her opinion as well — but with a more serious expression and a worried voice, contrasting with his calmer tone: "I didn't find anything either... Seems like it still hasn't happened" Sophie said, casting a brief glance toward the horizon, as if hoping something would finally show itself.
Oliver let out a long sigh upon hearing their answers. Not that he hadn't expected something like that — deep down, he already imagined they would be vague or inconclusive. Still, hearing it out loud was frustrating. In the end, he would have to keep going for a while longer, hoping that the last piece of that mysterious puzzle would finally appear.
The problem was Oliver had no idea when that would happen. And while waiting, he'd have to endure staying in that freezing place, where even the air seemed to bite his skin. Definitely not a pleasant experience.
Lost in his thoughts, he was interrupted by an audible sigh nearby. Edward, leaning with crossed arms and a worried look, muttered through clenched teeth: "I just hope that brat hasn't outsmarted us..."
Oliver listened carefully to Edward's words but only shook his head in negation, his expression serious and resolute. To him, that was simply impossible. And the reason for his conviction was clear and direct: "He's a bearer of the Gospel of Eyes" he said in a low but firm voice: "You know how that group operates... They benefit just as much as we do from what's happening here. They have no reason to sabotage it" His tone was not doubtful but that of someone who had thought deeply about it—and ruled out any other possibility.
After that, the place fell into an almost grave-like silence. The only sound audible was the whistle of cold winds softly brushing the twisted branches of the dead trees dominating the frozen landscape. However, that whisper of the wind was soon overshadowed by a new noise — louder, more distinct.
A strange and unexpected sound echoed in the distance, breaking the stillness like a crack in the ice. Oliver, Edward, and Sophie exchanged glances, tilting their heads slightly in confusion, as if trying to confirm among themselves they weren't imagining things. For a moment, the trio froze, alert, as if the very air had held its breath.
But the noise grew, becoming louder and unmistakable. At some point, there was no denying it wasn't a hallucination — the sound filled the environment with force. Still, it was hard to identify its exact origin or nature. It was an irregular and unsettling noise, starting with a dry crack, reminiscent of branches breaking under brutal pressure.
Then came deep, pulsing hums, like high-tension wires vibrating amid a storm. In the background, metallic and distorted whistles mixed in, like a radio out of tune trying to catch a lost frequency.
Dragged echoes reverberated through the air, giving the sensation that the sound itself was being stretched and torn, as if the reality around them began to compress and twist, vibrating at an almost tangible frequency, ready to break at any moment.
In the next instant, Oliver shifted his gaze and fixed it in a specific direction. Edward and Sophie, noticing the gesture, did the same. Three eyes met, all staring at the distortion forming in the distance — a strange, unsettling blur on the horizon. A tense silence hung in the air, broken only by the soft sound of the wind.
Then, a slow, confident smile appeared on Oliver's face: "Looks like the final piece of the puzzle has finally arrived"
***
(POV – Protagonist)
"This sucks" Arthur commented sarcastically, scanning the white, frozen scenery around him: "If I'd known I'd end up stranded in some frozen forest, I at least would've brought a decent jacket"
It wasn't the first time Arthur complained, and honestly, I couldn't blame him. After all, even though I didn't feel the cold directly, I could clearly tell the place was freezing — especially considering Arthur was dressed in clothes clearly unfit for such low temperatures.
The biting wind seemed to cut through every layer of fabric, making his words sound even more exasperated as he tried to warm up, his teeth slightly clenched and shoulders hunched in an almost instinctive protective gesture.
We had already been walking for about thirty minutes, and it felt like we'd never get anywhere. The air was heavy, and sunlight timidly filtered through the treetops, casting dancing shadows on the snow-covered forest floor. In the end, Arthur just quietly followed me like a loyal shadow.
Since I got to this place, I've felt something strange in part of the forest — an unexpectedly nostalgic feeling, like that area held old memories I couldn't explain. I didn't say anything to Arthur; I just started walking deeper into the woods, and without hesitation, he kept following me, as if he fully trusted my instincts.
Of course, I didn't expect him to just stay silent. As I thought, his voice soon broke through the sound of the cold wind slicing through the skin and whistling between the rocks: "By the way, where exactly are we going... and why?"
I didn't stop walking — I kept following the snowy trail as I answered Arthur's questions with my usual calmness: (I don't know) I murmured, gently shaking my head, my eyes wandering among the tall, silent trees: (I'm feeling nostalgic... that way) I added, pointing with my gloved hand toward a specific spot in the icy forest, where the mist seemed thicker and the wind whispered something ancient through the branches.
Arthur followed my gesture with his gaze and squinted, trying to see something in the distance. For a moment, he seemed focused — maybe even intrigued — but then he let out a resigned sigh and shook his head slightly: "Look, I don't see anything... and I definitely don't feel this "nostalgia" you're talking about" he said with a tone half skeptical, half puzzled.
I didn't reply. Actually, it seemed like Arthur was talking more to himself than to me, so I didn't worry about it. One thing I noticed later was that the camera strapped to my chest had simply vanished. When I came to, it was no longer there. I have no idea exactly when it disappeared — my first guess is it was the moment I was in that dark place, near the heart. But honestly, I'm not sure.
Anyway, Arthur and I kept walking through the icy forest. The wind blew through the ice-covered trees, making dry leaves rustle softly beneath our feet. Sometimes we stopped for a few minutes so Arthur could catch his breath — he said nothing, but I could see the fatigue in his slumped shoulders and heavy breathing.
As soon as he felt better, we resumed our march in silence, the branches creaking above us as if whispering winter secrets. About ten minutes later, I stopped suddenly. Arthur, with a curious look, raised an eyebrow and froze right behind me, clearly not understanding why I stopped.
Standing still, I let the silence surround me as my eyes fixed on a specific tree in front of me. I didn't say a word — just kept watching, like I was waiting for something. Then, seconds later, a soft, familiar voice echoed from the tree trunk, breaking the silence: "You still have impressive senses, as always"
I blinked a few times, trying to clear my vision as I faced the man who appeared from behind the tree. His expression was calm, almost familiar, like he'd known me for years. But I... definitely didn't know him. This was, without a doubt, the first time I'd ever seen him: (Who... are you?)
The man in front of me didn't look the least bit surprised by my question. In fact, it was as if he expected it — like he already knew exactly what I would say. For a moment, I glanced at Arthur. His face was tense, his eyes half-closed cautiously as he watched the stranger.
That expression said it all: he had no idea who this man was either. Yet, no matter how I looked at it... there was something about his posture, the calm way he stared at us, that made it clear: he knew we were coming. And he was waiting.
Still, the man let out a short, muffled laugh, almost cynical: "I doubt you really care who I am" he said with a slight shrug: "Anyway, I'm not here as your enemy. I'm just here to escort you to the place"
Hearing his words, I tilted my head slightly, curious: (Place?)
The man gave a slight smile at my question: "I guess, from your point of view, and considering how you're feeling... it's something like nostalgia, or something similar"
Listening carefully to the man's words, I straightened up and looked at him with suspicion. Honestly, he was incredibly suspicious in every way. There was no doubt he wasn't part of the organization — his posture, evasive gaze, and awkward manner made that clear.
Still, he was here, present in this secluded place. Even though anomalies were supposed to be a complete secret from ordinary society, he showed no surprise at seeing me. Arthur, standing beside me, also shot suspicious looks, as if sharing the same thought.
"Even if you don't mean us harm, I can't say I feel comfortable around a guy this shady, who seemed to be waiting for us exactly" Arthur commented beside me, his voice low, almost a whisper filled with distrust.
The man let out a low, almost casual laugh at Arthur's words and shrugged with a casual gesture: "I don't expect you to trust me" he said, voice sincere with a hint of contained irony: "But honestly, I don't plan to do anything against my own interests. All I came here to do is simply guide you to the place. Nothing more, nothing less"
Listening carefully to his words, I turned to Arthur. He caught my immediate glance and, for a moment, our attention met. Without a word, he shrugged casually, as if handing me the responsibility of the decision. To me, there was no reason to refuse; at least, at that moment, he didn't seem to pose any threat.
Still, something kept nagging at my mind, and I had to ask quietly, almost hesitantly: (The two... there, behind the trees... are they coming with us?)
As soon as I asked, the man visibly widened his smile, like a funny idea had crossed his mind. But in an instant, his expression returned to the serious look from before. I couldn't figure out why he briefly changed, but I didn't think it was something to worry about.
A few seconds after my words, two figures silently appeared from behind nearby trees. There was a woman with a firm, serious expression that radiated authority, and a man whose relaxed demeanor seemed to challenge any tension in the air.
Interestingly, the man in front of me carried a mix of those two attitudes — serious, but with a laid-back air that left a trail of mystery. Who he really was, or what his intentions were, was still a complete enigma to me.