On the other side, where Anna and Luka were, they heard footsteps approaching. As the figure came closer and clearer, they saw a person they both recognized.
It was Louis.
"Oh my God, Louis, are you okay?" Anna asked in a slightly excited tone.
"I'm fine. But what are you two doing here? I thought you were waiting for us in the van," Louis asked, surprised.
"We were waiting for you guys in the van. But an hour passed and none of you returned. She got worried and dragged me to come find you," Luka replied annoyingly.
"Oh, I see," Louis said.
"But why are you alone? Where is everyone?" Anna asked, looking around.
"Well…" Louis then explained to them what had happened to the group while they were searching for help.
"So, you all got separated from each other?" Anna asked, gasping.
"So you don't know where anyone is?" Luka questioned.
"No, I don't. It's been a long time since we got separated, but I haven't found anyone yet," Louis said, his tone sad.
"If you're alone, doesn't that mean everyone else is alone too?" Anna asked softly.
"I think so. That's why I've been trying to find them," Louis said.
"So… you're the one who lit the candle?" Luka asked curiously.
"What are you talking about? I didn't light any candle."
"Then why was there a candle burning over there?" Anna pointed toward the ground where the candle had been burning—but gasped. The candle was gone.
"Where the hell did that freaking candle go?" Luka grumbled angrily.
"Are you sure you saw a candle here?" Louis asked.
"Yes, I'm sure. We saw it clearly. That candlelight is the reason we came here—we followed its light," Anna replied quickly.
"Well… like I told you, we all saw a light and followed it too. But the candle we saw was burning in a house window. Yet there was no house. So how did you two see a candle just sitting here on the ground?" Louis asked nervously.
"I don't know what the hell is going on. But we seriously saw a candle sitting right there," Luka muttered grumpily.
"I think something really strange is happening in this forest," Anna said, frightened.
"Yeah, I think so too. We have to find everyone before something happens to them," Louis said firmly.
Anna nodded and whispered, "I just hope everyone is fine."
"Well, you all really dragged me into this mess," Luka grumbled.
"Would you stop complaining? Complaining doesn't change anything," Anna snapped at him.
"You—!" Luka began, but before he could finish, Louis interrupted and said:
"Both of you, please quit fighting. We need to focus on finding our friends."
After Louis spoke, they both went quiet. Luka stayed a little grumpy, but he understood Louis was right—this wasn't the time for fighting.
The three of them started walking deeper into the jungle, hoping to find the others.
______________________________________
Meanwhile, the four friends—Louis, Luna, Lisa, and John—were silently searching for Max. They looked around, checking every branch and shadow, hoping to find their last remaining friend.
But after almost half an hour, there was still no sign of Max.
"Where is he?" Lisa's voice trembled with fear.
"It's been over an half an hour and we haven't found him," Luna said, glancing nervously at her watch.
"We have to keep searching," Louis said.
"Exactly. We can't just leave him," John nodded.
"When did I say we should leave him?" Luna grumbled.
"I didn't mean it like that," John replied quickly.
"Your earlier words sounded like you were suggesting it!" Luna snapped.
"That's not what I meant!" John shot back.
Before the argument could grow worse, Louis stepped in.
"Can you two stop? Remember, we're here to find Max. Fighting won't help."
"Louis is right. Please, can we just stop arguing and look for Max? I'm so worried about him," Lisa said, her voice breaking.
"I'm sorry, Lisa. I didn't mean to worry you," Luna said, trying to comfort her.
"And what about me? You started the argument with me," John said, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm sorry, John," Luna muttered in an irritated tone.
Louis sighed deeply, thinking he could never change them.
The group continued walking quietly again, tension hanging in the air.
______________________________________
On the other side, Max and Luna were shocked by the sound of approaching footsteps. Max looked terrified, and though Luna was scared too, she tried to keep her composure. She quickly picked up a stick from the ground, holding it like a weapon, ready to strike whoever came through the brush.
The footsteps grew louder and louder until two figures appeared.
Startled, Luna swung the stick—but stopped when she saw who it was.
It was John and Lisa.
"Max! Luna! You two are alright!" Lisa exclaimed with relief.
"We're okay. What about you guys?" Luna asked.
"We're fine too," John said.
"Have you two been together all this time?" Max asked.
"No, we were separated at first, but then we found each other," Lisa explained.
"Well, same for us," Luna said.
"Wait a minute… if you two are together, and we're together, then…" John's voice trailed off with worry.
Luna immediately understood what he meant and said quickly,
"Does that mean Louis is alone?"
Her words filled the group with fresh concern. They all wondered where Louis had gone, wandering alone in the dark forest.
"We have to find him," Lisa said firmly.
"You're right. We need to find him before he runs into something dangerous," Max added.
"I just hope he's alright," Luna whispered, her voice trembling.
"I hope so too," John murmured.
"What are we waiting for? Let's go find Louis," Luna said determinedly.
The group nodded in agreement and set out to search for him.
Each group searched desperately, hoping to reunite with the others… but none of them realized a darker truth
Everyone carried an imposter among them—silent, hidden, and waiting to strike."