After a million thanks and an awkward hug, Felix laughed and said, “Sorry about bringing you here at night. You know better than anyone that the alarm on the doors beep whenever something unidentified is brought in. I saw this book earlier, and I knew you’d like it. I had to keep it in the forest in case someone stole it.”
“Like it? Felix, this is the best present ever! You didn’t have to get-”
“Cora, of course I had to get it for you. You’re, like, my best friend. I mean, I know Ruby is your best friend, but- I, uh…” Wow, Felix looking flustered? That was a first.
“Shut up, Felix. You’re my best friend. Ruby’s cool, but you’re… different from everyone else.” What? Did I really just say that?
“I assume you mean different in a good way?” Felix asked, grinning.
“Yeah, I guess…” I said, trying not to blush.
Suddenly, the leaves rustled. I had forgotten for a few minutes that dangerous animals lived here. Felix grabbed my arm and we walked faster, not wanting to be lost in the darkness- or, worse, found in the darkness.
“Almost there...” Felix muttered, his coolness gone. He probably felt guilty for bringing me to such a dangerous spot.
Then, there was a growl, a slashing noise, a scream of pain from Felix, and he was torn away from me.
“Felix!” I heard myself scream. I could barely see in the darkness- but then a creature came out of the leaves- a huge tiger, with Felix next to it. His leg was torn up with bloody tooth marks on it. The tiger’s eyes were strangely familiar, emerald green and so bright they were like two sparkling green flashlights. It stared at me for a few seconds, sniffing. Then it cocked it’s head to the side and smiled, it’s fangs showing up on it’s cruel face. My eyes, which were on a moaning, bloody Felix, drifted over to the big cat’s eyes.
The moment my eyes locked on the tiger’s, it snarled loudly and it’s eyes forced me into an image. My… father? Yes, it was an image of my father in a bloody heap.
No, I thought. Dad died in an accident. It wasn’t murder. It’s not real. It’s not real. It’s not real.
Slowly, the image drifted away and the tiger looked almost impressed.
“Let us go.” My voice was hoarse.
The tiger seemed to smirk. It looked at Felix, and I could almost hear it thinking.
It began to speak.
“Forty eight hours,
You shall have,
To save your friend with the bloody calf.
Only you will try,
Others will die,
To journey to the place with the biggest jewel and the five treasures,
Others shall try and fight,
But only you are right.

Felix groaned. “Cora…”
I memorized what the tiger had said and put it aside. My main priority right now was Felix, and I didn’t care about the beast that stood between us.
“Felix, you need-”
“No,” he rasped. I was shocked he could still talk. “Use… the book… please… help me.”
There was a bright, green flash, and before I could get to him, the tiger and Felix vanished.