His eyes were a deep, unnatural green, vivid in the dim light. He was tall, with broad shoulders and an air of quiet strength that commanded attention. His dark hair, falling across his forehead, softened his sharp features. But it was more than his appearance. There was an electric charge in the air around him as if the forest itself had come alive in his presence.
“Can I help you?” His voice was deep and calm, with an undercurrent I couldn’t place.
I blinked, snapping out of my daze. “I’m Laura, a journalist investigating the recent animal attacks. I was hoping you might help me. You’re Mateo, right?”
His expression remained unchanged. But his eyes flickered with recognition or wariness. He didn’t invite me in but didn’t tell me to leave either.
“I don’t know anything about those attacks,” Mateo said politely but distantly, crossing his arms as if to put up a barrier.
“I’ve heard your name around town,” I replied. “People say you know these woods well. If there’s something causing these attacks, I thought you might have some idea.”
He studied me with intense eyes, as if searching for something beneath the surface. “There are things in these woods people don’t understand,” he said finally. “It’s best not to seek answers you might not want to find.”
A shiver ran down my spine, but I refused to back down. “I’m not afraid of the truth,” I retorted, trying to sound confident. “If there’s danger, people deserve to know.”
Mateo’s jaw tightened, and I thought he might close the door. But he sighed, a sound heavy with unspoken thoughts. “The truth isn’t always what people expect, Laura. Sometimes, it’s better to let certain things stay hidden.”
His mentioning of my name sent a jolt through me. And I felt an inexplicable pull toward him like standing on the brink of something I couldn’t fully understand.
Ignoring the voice in my head telling me to keep my distance, I stepped closer. “I can’t just walk away. People are scared and deserve answers. If you know something… anything, please tell me.”
Mateo stared at me, conflicted. His eyes showed a silent struggle between the need to protect and fear of the consequences. “You don’t understand what you’re asking for,” he growled. “This isn’t a story for you to uncover. It’s a warning. Stay away from the woods. And stay away from me.”