NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2: The Cost of Curiosity
Chapter 2: The Cost of Curiosity
Scene 1: Panic Beyond the Gate
The gate vanished behind them, leaving Denver and his friends standing in an alien, hostile world. The air was thick, hot, and carried an acrid smell that stung their throats. Above them, the sky swirled in ominous hues of black and red. Strange guttural growls echoed in the distance.
The group huddled close, their faces pale and filled with confusion.
Sam (anxiously): "This isn't magic... this is something else. Something wrong."
Priyanshu (looking around frantically): "Where are we? Denver, what did you do?"
Denver clutched the book tightly against his chest, his voice shaking.
Denver: "l didn't know this would happen... The book didn't say anything about... this."
Sandya (panicked): "What do we do now? We can't just stand here!"
Kartik (trying to stay calm): "We need to find people. Humans. Someone who can tell us where we are."
The group reluctantly nodded and began walking, their footsteps crunching against the ash-covered ground. Shadows darted around them, and the growls grew louder.
Scene 2: The Monster's Attack
They had barely made it a few hundred meters when a monstrous figure emerged from the shadows—a hulking beast with glowing red eyes, jagged teeth, and claws as long as swords.
The group froze.
Sam (terrified): "What... what is that thing?"
Sandya (whispering): "We need to run. Now!"
But before anyone could move, the beast lunged straight for Sandya.
Sandya (screaming): "HELP ME!"
The creature grabbed her with its massive claws and, with horrifying ease, ripped her head from her body. Blood sprayed everywhere, and her lifeless body crumpled to the ground.
Priyanshu (screaming in terror): "SANDYA! NO!"
Kartik (frozen, trembling): "This isn't real... This can't be real..."
Denver forced himself to move, grabbing Kartik and Priyanshu by their arms.
Denver (yelling): "Snap out of it! We have to go!"
The beast snarled, but Denver's desperate shouting jolted the others into action. They ran blindly, crashing through the underbrush as the monstrous growls faded behind them.
Scene 3: The Aftermath
They stopped at a narrow ravine, gasping for air. The reality of what had just happened hit them like a freight train.
Kartik (sobbing): "She's gone... She's really gone. And it's all your fault, Denver!"
Denver (shocked): "What? How is this my fault?!"
Kartik (furious): "You're the one who opened the gate! You brought us here! If it weren't for you, Sandya would still be alive!"
Sam (trying to calm him down): "Stop it, Kartik. This isn't helping."
Priyanshu (tears streaming down his face): "He's right. We shouldn't have come here. This place isn't magic—it's a nightmare."
Denver's voice broke as he spoke.
Denver: "l didn't know this would happen. I thought... I thought we'd find something amazing. I didn't want anyone to die."
The group fell silent, their grief hanging heavy in the air. Then, a voice called out from the forest, breaking the tense stillness.
Scene 4: A Stranger Appears
Voice (calm but urgent): "Denver! There you are. I've been looking for you."
The group spun around to see a man stepping out of the shadows. He was wiry but strong, his face weathered and lined with age. He carried a staff in one hand and wore a tattered cloak.
Sam (alarmed): "Who are you? How do you know his name?"
Man: "There's no time to explain. Denver, we need to go. Now. Hari, bring your friends."
Denver (confused): "Hari? What... Who are you?"
Man (ignoring the question): "If you stay here, you'll all die. Come with me if you want to live."
Denver hesitated but then glanced at his friends. Their expressions mirrored his own fear and desperation.
Denver (firmly): "We don't have a choice. Let's go."
Scene 5: The Cart Chase
The man led them to a rickety wooden cart pulled by two strange, lizard-like creatures with glowing scales.
Man (shouting): "Get on, and hold tight!"
The group scrambled onto the cart. As soon as they were seated, the man cracked the reins, and the creatures bolted forward, faster than anything they had ever seen.
Behind them, monstrous howls erupted as the beasts began their chase.
Priyanshu (panicking): "They're coming! They're going to catch us!"
Man (yelling): "Not if I can help it! Hold on!"
The cart veered wildly, the creatures pulling it at a breakneck speed. Denver looked back to see the monsters gaining on them, their glowing eyes burning with fury.
Sam (shouting): "They're too fast! We're not going to make it!"
Just as the beasts were about to pounce, the cart burst through a massive stone gate. Inside was a sprawling city surrounded by towering walls. The gates slammed shut behind them, and the monsters were left outside, snarling in frustration.
Scene 6: A Shocking Revelation
The man led them through the bustling streets of the city to a small, modest house. Inside, he lit a lantern and gestured for them to sit.
Man (calmly): "You're safe now. For the moment, anyway."
The group sat in silence, still shaken. Denver finally spoke.
Denver (hesitant): "Who are you? How do you know my name?"
The man smiled faintly, his eyes softening.
Man: "My name is Ravi. I'm your father's brother."
The room fell silent as the words sank in.
Denver (stammering): "My... father? I don't even know who he is."
Ravi (nodding): "l know. There's a lot you don't know, Denver. But I promise, I'll explain everything. For now, you need to rest. You've been through enough."
The chapter ends with Denver and his friends grappling with the loss of Sandya, the horrors of this new world, and the shocking revelation about Denver's family.