The forest was eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. Matt adjusted the straps of his backpack, his heart pounding as he realized just how far he’d wandered from the group. The canopy above blocked most of the sunlight, casting the forest floor in a dim, almost menacing light.

He glanced down at his phone, which showed zero bars of signal. Great. “This is why I hate these trips,” he muttered to himself, kicking a loose stone on the path. “Stupid idea to take that shortcut.”

A sharp sound broke the silence—a rustle, quick and deliberate, coming from the dense trees to his right. Matt froze, his breath catching in his throat. “Hello?” he called out, his voice shaky. No answer.

Another sound followed, this time closer. It wasn’t the wind. Something—or someone—was there.

“Who’s there?” he demanded, his voice louder now, though fear trembled in his tone. He took a step back, his eyes darting around the surrounding foliage. The shadows seemed alive, shifting and swaying unnaturally.

Suddenly, a branch snapped behind him, and Matt whipped around, his heart in his throat. “I—I’m just lost, okay? Not looking for trouble!”

The forest seemed to hold its breath, the silence heavy and oppressive. He stood frozen, every nerve on edge, as if the entire forest was watching him. Another rustle came, so close now that it made his skin prickle. Matt’s pulse hammered in his ears, his instincts screaming at him to run, but his legs wouldn’t move.