The group reached the top of the hill under a sky heavy with clouds. Even with the headlights illuminating the makeshift camp, the darkness around seemed alive, swallowing everything beyond the beam of light. The air was still and humid; each breath felt heavier than the last.
"Alright, let's set up the tents quickly."
Ottis said, taking the lead with an enthusiasm that felt out of place in such an oppressive environment.
Indra, still trying to shake off the strange vision he'd had on the road, began helping Ben unload the gear. Dean silently watched the shadows between the trees as if something might jump out at any moment.
The sound of zippers, stakes being hammered into the ground, and forced laughter echoed through the clearing. But soon, even the jokes stopped: the place was unnaturally quiet. There were no crickets chirping, no rustling leaves — just an unsettling silence.
When the tents were ready, only the fire remained to be lit. Indra then approached Dean and said:
"Hey, since you're so alert to the forest, how about helping me gather firewood?"
Dean looked away from the shadows and replied in a neutral tone:
"Okay."
The two walked together along the edge of the forest, always in the lantern light. While picking up some dry branches, Indra noticed Dean was tense and silent.
"Did something happen?"
he asked, breaking the silence.
Dean seemed to snap out of his thoughts.
"No, it's just… this place feels weird. It's too quiet for a forest. Usually, even a rat would make noise walking around here. But everything is silent. Silence that's unsettling."
"I agree. Besides the darkness, this silence is creepy," Indra said, checking the branches in his arms. "By the way, did you see that building further up the hill? It looked like an abandoned mansion."
Dean seemed to suddenly remember something:
"Yeah. Ottis mentioned it when we were at the gas station. Said it was an old sanatorium that caught fire and was abandoned. You'd know if you hadn't been late."
Indra smiled awkwardly, looking away.
"My bad, man. You know I don't do it on purpose. No need to be grumpy."
Dean let out a short laugh.
"Me, grumpy? That's the understatement of the century."
They both laughed and headed back to the camp. Indra couldn't wait to ask Ottis for more details about the sanatorium; maybe they could even explore it.
---
While Indra and Dean gathered firewood, Ben and Ottis sat near the still-unlit fire.
"So, I saw the sanatorium on the way. Pretty creepy, huh? Think we could check it out?"
Ben asked.
Ottis hesitated before answering:
"I don't know, it might be interesting... but also dangerous. Who knows what's inside. Just so you know, if you go, I'm not staying here alone."
Ben laughed loudly.
"You're such a scaredy-cat, huh, dude? When Indra and Dean get back, I'll see if they're up to go up there."
"Suit yourself."
Ottis replied, looking away.
---
Indra and Dean arrived at the camp with the firewood just in time to hear Ben teasing Ottis. They arranged the branches, lit the fire, and sat around it, letting the warmth chase away some of the oppressive cold.
Ben broke the silence:
"Hey, me and Mr. Brave here were planning to head up to the sanatorium. You guys in?"
Indra and Dean exchanged glances before looking back at Ben.
"Actually, we talked about that while gathering wood. We were going to ask you the same thing."
Indra said, excited.
Dean added firmly:
"Then it's decided. After dinner, we'll explore the sanatorium."
The four exchanged looks and nodded silently. The night promised to be much longer than they had imagined.