Morning arrived quietly.
Soft sunlight filled the room as Aarav opened his eyes.
For a moment, he just stared at the ceiling.
"…Still here," Aarav said to himself.
There was no panic in his voice this time.
Only acceptance.
He sat up slowly and placed a hand on his chest.
"…That's new," he muttered.
The pain was almost gone.
After a moment, he stepped outside.
The air felt fresh.
Familiar.
"…I'm getting used to this," Aarav said quietly.
Not far away, Daren was already working in the fields.
"You're up early," Daren said without looking up.
"Couldn't sleep more," Aarav replied.
He walked over and picked up a tool.
Daren noticed, then said,
"…Careful."
"I am."
They worked in silence for a while.
Then—
A deep sound echoed in the distance.
A low, heavy roar.
Aarav froze.
"…You heard that, right?" he asked.
Daren didn't answer immediately.
Then he said,
"…Yeah."
Aarav looked toward the forest.
"What was that?"
Daren straightened slightly.
"Something from the forest."
"That didn't sound small."
"It isn't."
Aarav hesitated, then asked,
"…Does it come here?"
Daren looked at him.
"…Not usually."
That answer didn't feel reassuring.
Before Aarav could continue—
"You should go inside," Meera said from behind.
Aarav turned.
She was standing near the house.
"I'm fine," Aarav said.
"You say that a lot," Meera replied.
"And I'm usually right."
"You're not," she said flatly.
Aarav sighed.
"…Debatable."
Daren smiled slightly and went back to work.
Meera stepped closer.
"…Just don't act like you're fully healed," she said.
Aarav nodded.
"…Alright."
---
Later, Aarav sat with Rian in the yard.
Rian was drawing in the dirt.
"What is that supposed to be?" Aarav asked.
"A monster," Rian replied proudly.
"…It looks like a potato with teeth," Aarav said.
"It's scary!" Rian protested.
"It's not," Aarav replied.
Rian pointed at it.
"This one eats people who don't listen."
Aarav looked at him.
"…So it's basically Meera?"
Rian froze.
"…That's true," he said slowly.
Aarav laughed.
From the doorway, Meera said,
"I can hear both of you."
Aarav leaned slightly toward Rian and whispered,
"…Run."
Rian ran instantly.
Aarav stayed.
"…I regret nothing," he said.
Meera sighed.
---
That evening, everyone sat together for dinner.
The room felt warm.
Peaceful.
Aarav looked around, then spoke.
"…Daren."
"Yes?" Daren replied.
"That sound earlier…" Aarav said.
The room grew quieter.
Daren placed his cup down.
"…There are things in the forest," he said.
Aarav listened.
"Creatures," Daren continued.
"They don't usually come near the village."
"…Monsters?" Aarav asked.
Daren nodded.
"Yes."
Rian leaned forward excitedly.
"Have you seen one?!"
"No," Aarav replied calmly.
"And I don't plan to."
Meera looked at him.
"…Good," she said quietly.
Aarav glanced at her, then nodded.
"…Yeah."
---
That night, Aarav stood outside alone.
The village was quiet.
Peaceful.
Just like before.
But now—
He knew something else existed beyond it.
He looked toward the forest.
"…So it's not as simple as it looks," he said softly.
He placed a hand on his chest.
No pain.
Just a faint reminder.
Aarav exhaled slowly.
"I just got used to this place…"
His voice lowered.
"…Don't mess it up."
This time—
There was no curiosity.
Only caution.
And a quiet fear of losing what he had just found.
---
End of Chapter 10