Mara's feet crunched against the dried leaves as she raced through the darkened path towards the village. Tears blurred her vision, a mix of fear and desperate pity clouding her eyes. Her head swiveled frantically from side to side, searching for any sign of help in the oppressive darkness.

"Why?" she gasped between ragged breaths. "Why is no one out here when I need help so badly?"

Her voice rose in pitch as panic set in. "Please, someone! Anyone! Zafron needs help!"

The weight of time pressed down on her. Every second that passed was another moment Gustavo could be hurting Zafron. The thought spurred her on, even as her lungs burned for air.

"Where is everyone?" she cried out to the empty night.

Suddenly, the sound of rapid footsteps behind her cut through her desperate pleas. Mara's heart leapt into her throat as she spun around, her eyes widening in terror as she recognized Gustavo's menacing figure racing towards her.

"Stop there, you little brat!" He growled.

A surge of adrenaline coursed through her veins, lending her strength she didn't know she possessed. Mara turned and ran faster than she ever had before, her voice rising to a terrified shriek.

"Help! Somebody please help me!" she screamed, her feet pounding against the earth as she fled.

Her cries echoed through the empty night as she ran, praying that someone, anyone, would hear her and come to their aid before it was too late.

Mara's lungs burned as she pushed herself to run faster, the sound of Gustavo's footsteps growing ever closer behind her. She could almost feel his cold, menacing presence at her back, driving her forward with sheer terror.

"Please, no!" she gasped, risking a glance over her shoulder. Gustavo's face was a mask of grim determination, his eyes glinting with malice. The sight sent a fresh wave of fear through her, propelling her onward.

"Somebody! Anybody! Help me!" she screamed, her voice growing hoarse from the exertion and fear.

Low-hanging branches whipped at her face, and treacherous roots threatened to trip her with each step.

Mara stumbled once, her heart leaping into her throat, but she managed to regain her balance. 'If I fall, I'm done for,' she thought frantically.

Just as despair was about to overtake her, Mara spotted two figures through the foliage ahead, their voices carrying faintly on the night air. Hope surged through her veins, lending her renewed strength.

"Help! Please, help me!" she cried out, her voice cracking with desperation.

As she drew closer, she could make out that both figures were men - sturdy-looking individuals engaged in casual conversation.

Relief flooded through her. 'They might be able to stand up to Gustavo,' she thought. 'And maybe, just maybe, they can help save Zafron too.'

"Please!" she called out to them, waving her arms frantically. "I need your help! A man is chasing me, and my friend is in danger!"

The two men turned towards her voice, surprise evident on their faces as they took in the scene of Mara running towards them.

She stumbled and fell at the feet of the two men, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. The men looked down at her in shock, then glanced up, scanning the area behind her. To Mara's surprise and horror, when she turned to look, Gustavo was nowhere to be seen.

"There... there was someone chasing me," she gasped, her voice trembling. "My friend... he needs help. Please, you have to believe me!"

The men exchanged uncertain glances as Mara struggled to her feet, her eyes wild with fear and urgency.

"Please," she begged, grabbing one of the men's sleeves. "My friend might be hurt. We need to go now!"

"Where is he? Your friend." The first man asked.

He seemed inclined to help, taking a step forward, but his companion held him back with a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Wait," the second man said, his voice low and cautious. "This could be a trap. I've heard of robbers using tricks like this - luring people away with a sob story, then ambushing them."

Mara's heart sank as she saw doubt creep into the first man's eyes. "No, you don't understand," she pleaded. "This is real. My friend is in danger!"

But her words fell on deaf ears. The men backed away, shaking their heads.

"We're sorry, miss," the second man said, "but we can't risk it. You should go home and calm down."

With that, they turned and hurried away, leaving Mara alone in the darkness, her hopes crumbling around her.

For a moment, she stood there, paralyzed by despair. Then, with a sudden surge of determination, she realized she had no choice but to go back alone and check on Zafron herself.

"Hold on, Zafron," she whispered, turning back the way she had come. "I'm coming."

With her heart pounding and fear gnawing at her insides, Mara began to run once more, praying she wasn't too late to help her friend.

*******

Matilda stood motionless in the woods, her ears straining for any sound of Zafron's approach. She had been waiting right where he left her, unable to forge ahead like he adviced. Something told her that all wasn't well and the eerie silence that enveloped her only heightened her growing anxiety.

'He should have been back by now,' she thought, her brow furrowing with concern. 'What could be keeping him?'

As the minutes ticked by, her worry intensified. Dark scenarios began to play out in her mind, each more troubling than the last.

'What if something's happened to him? What if he bumped into Blackthorn?' The thought sent a chill down her spine. 'He should never have gone back.'

Unable to bear the suspense any longer, Matilda made a decision. She set off down the path Zafron had taken, her pace quick and determined.

As she walked, her mind raced. 'Please let him be alright,' she silently pleaded. 'If anything's happened to that boy...'

She pushed through low-hanging branches, her eyes scanning the dim path ahead. Every shadow seemed to hold a potential threat, every rustle of leaves a possible clue.

Suddenly, Matilda froze. There, just ahead, was a figure lying motionless on the ground. Her heart leapt into her throat as she recognized Zafron's familiar form.

"No! Zafron?"