The Endless Night - The Forest
Under the faint moonlight barely piercing through the dense canopy, the forest seemed alive—breathing, watching, waiting for the right moment to strike. Silence ruled the place, but it was not a comforting silence; it carried an eerie anticipation, as if something was about to happen.
Irina (in a low voice, trying to control her rapid breathing): "How much longer do we have to run? It feels like we're going in circles."
Leonardo (quiet but firm): "Don't stop running. The forest is not what it seems—everything here can turn into a trap."
Their footsteps were heavy, each step striking the ground like a burden of past regrets and fear of the future. Behind them, the rustling trees and whispering winds sounded like cryptic murmurs, as if the forest spoke a language only its inhabitants could understand.
-
After covering a long distance, the group finally stopped in a slightly open area where the moon provided some faint light. They were catching their breath when suddenly, a rustling sound came from the trees.
Rosa (raising her weapon cautiously): "Who's there? Show yourself!"
From the shadows, Celine and Alex emerged—or what remained of them. Alex was visibly wounded, barely able to stand, with Celine supporting him.
Celine (exhausted but still laced with sarcasm): "Did you really think we'd die that easily?"
Irina (shocked): "You?! How did you survive?"
Alex (panting): "No time to explain. The soldiers are still after us. If we don't move, we'll all be dead soon."
-
As they prepared to move again, tensions within the group began to rise.
Leonardo (speaking sharply): "Why didn't you tell us about the real danger? You knew more than you let on."
Celine (angrily): "If you want to blame someone, blame yourself. You walked into this hell without a plan."
Rosa (trying to defuse the situation): "Enough! This isn't the time to argue. If we don't work together, they'll catch up to us soon."
But Irina remained silent, her eyes lost in the darkness ahead, as if seeing something no one else could.
-
As they moved through the forest, Irina felt something strange. A distant voice was calling to her—not human, but something deeper, echoing from within her soul.
Irina (suddenly stopping): "Wait... something is here."
Casper (puzzled): "What do you mean? There's nothing but trees and darkness."
Before anyone could react, she felt a cold hand on her shoulder. She turned sharply, but nothing was there.
Irina (her voice trembling): "It's close... I can feel it."
-
Minutes later, they arrived at a small lake surrounded by trees. The water was eerily still, reflecting the moonlight like a mystical mirror. But something was off—there was an unnatural silence.
Leonardo (cautiously): "I don't like this place. We should move quickly."
Before they could leave, a new group of soldiers appeared, clad in black armor, weapons aimed directly at them.
Commander (deep voice): "Surrender. You have no chance."
Rosa (raising her weapon): "We're not going back with you!"
A fierce battle erupted. The soldiers were better equipped and well-organized, but the group fought desperately. Amid the chaos, Irina felt something pulling her toward the lake.
-
While the others fought, Irina was drawn to the water as if hypnotized. She gazed at her reflection, but what she saw was not her own face.
Irina (whispering): "This... isn't me."
Her reflection was distorted—her face covered in tears and blood. Then, the water began to ripple as if something beneath it was trying to rise.
Irina (stepping back in fear): "What is this? Who are you?"
Before she could escape, a black hand emerged from the water and grabbed her tightly.
-
Leonardo noticed what was happening and abandoned the fight, rushing toward her.
Leonardo (shouting): "Irina! Hold on!"
He grabbed her, trying to pull her away from the dark grip, but the force pulling her in was stronger.
Irina (her voice breaking): "Let me go, Leonardo... this is my fate."
Leonardo (furious): "I won't let you go! We're all here because of you, and I won't lose you now!"
As the others tried to help, the darkness consumed the lake, dragging Irina with it...