"Now what the heck is that supposed to mean?" Jane exclaimed, staring at the glowing words in the air.
"It's obviously a riddle," Cyndi muttered.
"Yeah, I can see that," Jane shot back, annoyed.
"Then why ask?"
"You know what? Let's just forget it. We're stuck in this crazy book and arguing isn't going to help."
"If you didn't want to argue, then don't ask obvious questions."
Jane sighed dramatically. "Mrs. Cyndi, I am so sorry for asking an obvious question. Please, do forgive me."
"Apology accepted," Cyndi replied smugly.
"Thank you," Jane replied with mock sweetness.
While they bickered, the glowing riddle in the air began to fade—unnoticed. By the time they looked back, it was gone.
"Dude, what the hell? You picked a fight, and now the riddle's disappeared!" Jane snapped.
"I said I was sorry!"
"Your sorry changed nothing! Ugh. Do you at least remember what it said?"
"Yeah, yeah. Something about five keys, a door, and time running out."
Jane nodded. "I think it's telling us we need to find five keys to open the door and escape the book."
"No, wait… I don't think it meant actual keys," Cyndi said, narrowing her eyes. "It said 'gather the others'. Maybe that means other people—three of them."
"You might be right," Jane said. Just then, she noticed something above Jane's head. "Um… Jane? There's a number three above your head."
"What? Seriously?"
"Yeah. I think it's part of the riddle. It did say something about 'finding three.'"
"Wow, you might actually be a genius," Jane teased.
Cyndi grinned proudly, and Jane playfully slapped the back of her head—right as the number 3 appeared over Cyndi's head too.
"You have one now, too," Jane pointed out.
"That confirms it! We need to find three others."
As they nodded to each other, the forest grew darker—shadows stretching, the light dimming.
"Umm… don't you think it's getting a bit too… dark?" Jane whispered.
"Y-yeah," Cyndi replied nervously. "Hey… about earlier… let's forget the argument, okay? In times like this, we need to stick together."
"Oh, now you want to be best friends again?" Jane scoffed. "I'm leaving. Bye."
"No! You don't know what could be in that forest! We should really stay together!"
Jane turned with a smirk. "Yeah, yeah—"
She froze.
"What? Scared now?" Cyndi teased.
"Y-yeah. But not for me. I'm scared… for you."
"What? Why? What are you talking about?"
"Cyndi… whatever you do, don't turn around."
"Oh come on, stop trying to scare me—"
Cyndi turned—and gasped.
A massive, 10-foot-long serpent loomed behind her, its eyes gleaming like wet obsidian. Before she could move, the creature lunged—
And swallowed her whole.
Jane stood there, paralyzed. "I told you not to move…"
The snake's gaze turned to her.
Jane's knees buckled. Her best friend was gone. She had to be dead. Maybe… maybe she'd just returned to the real world?
Before she could decide what to do, Cyndi appeared from thin air, grabbed Jane's arm, and screamed, "RUN! Before it eats you too!"
Before Jane could even respond, Cyndi dragged her, sprinting through the endless forest.
But the serpent was fast.
They ran, hearts racing, feet barely keeping up. Suddenly, more glowing golden words appeared midair:
---
"In shadows deep, you're not alone,
A name can save, a name well-known.
To escape the peril, a friend you must seek,
A voice of strength, though it may seem meek.
His name is hidden, but here's a spark:
The one you need is called... Mark."
---
"Read it before it disappears!" Jane shouted.
"This book is literally trying to kill us!" Cyndi shouted back. "How are we supposed to read riddles and run at the same time?!"
"We've left the snake behind a bit—just read it quick!"
Cyndi glanced back. "Nope! It's catching up again!"
Still, she read the words aloud, voice shaking. "It says we need to find someone named Mark!"
"Then I don't care—I'm calling him!" Jane screamed. "MARK! MARK! MARK!"
Suddenly, a sword slashed through the serpent, splitting it into light.
It vanished.
From the trees emerged a tall, shadowy figure.
"Who are you?" the man barked. "Where's Kate? How did I get here? What did you do to her?!"
"Step into the light," Jane said cautiously.
He did.
Both Jane and Cyndi gasped. "Mark?!"
Before either of them could say another word, another riddle appeared:
---
"To call for help, you must be bold,
A name three times, as the tale foretold.
But one named Kate, you cannot forget,
Without her, your goal is not met.
Say her name and say it thrice,
Only then can you break the ice."
---
They looked at each other. Another person. Another name. Another puzzle.
And their time was running out.