The sun dipped below the canopy, casting long shadows over the clearing. The five teens—Zara, Malik, Lina, Efe, and Jayden—sat around a makeshift fire, its flickering light dancing on their anxious faces.
Zara broke the silence. "We need to establish a watch schedule. Two-hour shifts. Agreed?"
Malik nodded. "I'll take the first shift."
Efe shivered. "Do you think they're watching us right now?"
Lina glanced upward. "Probably. But we can't let that paralyze us."
Jayden smirked. "Let them watch. They'll see we're not easy targets."
As night deepened, the forest came alive with unfamiliar sounds. Every snap of a twig, every rustle of leaves, kept them on edge.
During her shift, Zara noticed a faint glimmer in the distance. She nudged Malik awake. "Did you see that?"
He squinted. "Could be a reflection. Or someone else's fire."
They decided to investigate at dawn.
Morning brought a dense fog. The group moved cautiously toward the light's source, discovering a small, abandoned campsite. Scattered supplies hinted at a hasty departure.
Efe picked up a torn piece of fabric. "Someone left in a hurry."
Lina examined the ground. "Footprints. Multiple sets. Heading east."
Jayden raised an eyebrow. "Should we follow?"
Zara hesitated. "It could be a trap. But staying put isn't safe either."
They agreed to follow the trail, hoping to find allies—or at least answers.
As they ventured deeper into the forest, the trees grew denser, the air heavier. Suddenly, a distant scream pierced the silence.
Efe froze. "That sounded close."
Malik motioned for silence. "Stay alert."
They moved cautiously, the scream echoing in their minds. The game had truly begun, and the stakes were higher than ever.
—