CHAPTER 1

NAME:

THE BEGINNING OF A NIGHTMARE

The sun dipped below the horizon, leaving the forest shrouded in shadows. Eliza, Michelle, and Veronica wandered through the dense woods, their flashlights slicing through the encroaching darkness. They were on a mission—a reckless dare sparked by whispered rumors of haunted happenings in these very trees.

"Come on, this spot's perfect," Eliza said, brushing her auburn hair back as she scanned the area.

Michelle frowned, tucking her dark curls under her hoodie. "Perfect for what? Getting eaten alive by bugs?"

Veronica hesitated behind them, her eyes darting nervously. She tightened her grip on her flashlight. "I'm not sure about this, guys. It feels...off."

Just then, the beam of Michelle's flashlight landed on something in the distance—a decrepit cabin, its walls riddled with cracks, its roof sagging under years of neglect. A faint, flickering light pulsed inside.

"Whoa," Eliza whispered, stepping closer.

The cabin seemed to draw them in, its eerie presence both inviting and menacing. Despite the chill creeping up her spine, Eliza led the way, her bold curiosity overriding any sense of caution.

As they entered, the door creaked loudly, the sound reverberating through the musty interior. The air smelled of damp wood and rot. In the centre of the room a crippled chair resides a crippled chair and an old man sat on it, unmoving. His skeletal frame was draped in tattered clothes, and his lifeless eyes stared into the void. He clutched a strange object—a piece of wood, its surface textured like bark but gleaming unnaturally under the dim light. The top tapered into a sharp, menacing point.

Eliza whispered, "This man...he looks dead."

Michelle edged closer. "Look at what he's holding. What is that?"

"Probably a thorn," Eliza joked, though her voice wavered.

Veronica took a cautious step back. "I don't think we should be here."

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Eliza rolled her eyes. "Stop being such a big baby, Nica."

"I'm serious, Eliza! This feels wrong."

Ignoring her, Eliza reached for the object. "Let's see what's so special about this." With a firm yank, she pulled it free from the old man's grasp.

Suddenly, his body crumpled to the floor like a marionette with its strings cut.

Michelle jumped. "Oh my God, he fell!"

"Relax," Eliza said, though her hands trembled as she examined the object. "He was probably already dead."

The girls barely had time to react before the old man's body spasmed violently. His limbs twisted at unnatural angles, and his lifeless eyes rolled back into his skull. Foam bubbled from his mouth as he rose into the air, floating ominously.

A guttural voice, deep and otherworldly, spilled from his lips, speaking an unintelligible language.

"Run!" Veronica screamed.

Eliza bolted for the door, unknowingly clutching the strange object. Michelle followed; her breaths ragged. Veronica hesitated for a moment before diving through the nearest window, landing hard but scrambling to her feet.

Behind them, the cabin exploded with movement. Shadow-like creatures, their bodies amorphous and pulsating with darkness, emerged from the walls and doorways. The air grew thick with an unholy presence as they pursued the fleeing girls.

Eliza, always daring, turned her phone on to stream the chaos. "Are you guys seeing this?" she panted, her voice shaky.

But her bravado was short-lived. One of the creatures leapt from a tree and tackled her to the ground. She screamed, her phone tumbling from her grasp. Veronica turned back, adrenaline overriding her fear, and kicked the creature off Eliza.

"Get up!" Veronica shouted, pulling her friend to her feet.

The three ran together, but the creatures were relentless. One pounced on Michelle, its claws tearing into her hoodie. Veronica didn't hesitate. She grabbed a stick and swung at the creature, freeing Michelle.

"Run!" Veronica yelled.

But before they could get far, three creatures leapt from the shadows, pinning Veronica to the ground. Eliza and Michelle, frozen with fear, dropped their gear—including the strange object—and fled into the night.

As the creatures tore into her, Veronica's mind raced. Pain blurred her vision, but a single question echoed in her thoughts: Why?

"Why...why did this happen? Who was that man? What is this thing?" she gasped, her trembling fingers reaching for the object they had abandoned.

The darkness consumed her, but her mind refused to let go of the question: Why did they leave me?

Veronica woke with a start, the pain gone. She blinked, her surroundings unfamiliar but eerily calm. The forest was silent, the air heavy with an unnatural stillness.

"H-how did I get here?" she whispered, clutching the strange object now glowing faintly in her hand.

End of Chapter 1