Kenny was in the middle of folding laundry when his phone buzzed.
Megas: "Hey, give me your location."
Kenny blinked, confused. "Why?"
There was a playful lilt in Megas's voice. "Because I'm in Zemura Village. I came to see you."
The surprise made Kenny's chest tighten in excitement. "You're here?!" He quickly rattled off the address, barely able to keep the grin off his face. On the other end of the line, Megas chuckled, sounding just as thrilled.
Somewhere on the outskirts of the village, Megas followed the directions—his boots crunching over the dry leaves as twilight began to sink into night. The forest ahead was a deep shade of shadow, the air cooler, heavier. Out of nowhere, a hand appeared from between the trees, motioning him closer.
He paused. "Hello?"
No answer. The figure waved again, almost urgently. It could be someone in trouble, he thought. Someone who needed help. Without a second guess, he stepped off the path and followed the stranger deeper into the woods.
The trees swallowed him whole. The dim light vanished. And then—
A sharp, blood-chilling scream ripped through the forest.
Back in the village, Kenny was practically bouncing in the living room. "Brother Kin," he called out, "my boyfriend Megas is coming here!"
Kin looked up from the paperwork in his hands and smiled warmly. "That's good news."
They both began tidying up, waiting eagerly. Footsteps echoed in the hallway, and Zavrion appeared from another room, curious. "Who's coming?"
Kin's grin widened. "Kenny's future husband."
The words landed like a stone in Zavrion's chest. His jaw tightened instantly. Kenny and Kin exchanged a glance—then smirked at the storm brewing in the younger man's eyes.
---
Continue...