Chapter 1: STUCK IN THE FOREST OF NOWHERE (Daryl's POV)

June 6, 20XX (Sunday)

1-1

I woke up, drenched in sweat, feeling terrified and unease as I sat down on my twin bed in this very dimly lit room. I can't comprehend the reason why I'm feeling frightened like something would start to devour me to someplace I may not comprehend. I never really felt something like this before in my whole entire twenty years of existence, it is as if Death herself made a casual stroll to visit my well-being.

I experienced so many nightmares about ghost and some disturbing scenario but even those doesn't scare me at all, heck, it even makes me more and more curious as to the progression of these so called 'nightmares' but this one… This one is no ordinary nightmare. It felt so real that it sends shiver down my spine.

Seeing the morbid expression of Jane, a classmate, covered in scarlet red, looking down at me in horror as she averted her gaze to both her palms which is completely soaked in crimson blood, she shouted from the bottom of her lungs, though I barely hear her scream due to the waterfalls, until my vision slowly becoming hazy and dim. I can't grasp such sight; to think Jane can even wear something very disturbing.

I reached out for my phone that is placed on top of the desk right next to me. I pressed the menu button and looked at the clock; it says 5:00 AM. For all I know, the sun will start to rise somewhere in 5:30 AM, I know this because I had so many days in this summer life where I just stayed up all night and slept all day, it's crazy that my body could adjust very quickly to my unhealthy sleeping habit.

I tried to breathe a long breath to calm my heart from throbbing, and then it hit me, I remembered I had an appointment with my college friends to go to the falls. This was the only reason throughout the whole summer where I had to sleep as early as 10:00 PM. I usually sleep somewhere around 10:00 AM and wake up at 5:00 PM. But today is special just as I said so earlier; I'm going to the falls.

I have never seen a fall up-close and personal. I have only seen it in some pictures in the internet and in movies so this feeling of euphoria that is gushing in me is very, very genuine.

My anxiety changed into joy and anxiousness since I never really had any REAL vacation since the beginning of summer. All I did was wake up, turn on the laptop, eat, play, eat and sleep and the cycle goes on and on until to this very day; it's not really something I am most proud of.

I prepared my bag and stuffed it with all the necessities that I needed; underwear, shirts, shorts, card games, rubbing alcohol, towel. I even stuffed it with bottled water.

I readied myself for the only upcoming action that I will be receiving for the entire summer.

As I walked out of the room, I noticed a flashlight with newly inserted batteries and made me wonder if there are caves nearby the fall like in 'Skyrim' where there is a hidden cave system behind one of its fall, within it lays hidden treasures, waiting for me to be opened. If that ever happens, I'll brag about my sudden riches.

Thinking about great fantasies made me a little bit more excited than I already was. I snatched it with me just in case the gang goes wild for hidden gems and artifacts.

I hurried myself to the meeting place. As excited as I am, I reached it 30 minutes early.