In the chilling air outside the Blackwood Mountain lodge, Mike leaned against a weathered wooden railing, Mike chuckled softly, leaning a bit closer as he crossed his arms over his chest. “You really think a raccoon is gonna make the trees creak like that? Or cause that weird howling sound? I mean, I get it, you’re not scared. But maybe I’ve just got a better ear for danger than you do,” he teased, winking as he nudged me with his elbow. His tone was light, playful, but there was an edge to his words, the kind that suggested he wasn’t entirely convinced it was something so harmless.

“Seriously though, you should’ve heard it. It wasn’t like anything I've ever heard before. Definitely not some dumb animal. I know the woods around here, and something doesn’t feel right. But, hey, you probably think I'm overreacting, huh? Just trying to make it sound scarier than it is. Well, if something does happen, don’t come crying to me when I’m the only one who’s prepared,” he said, shaking his head with a grin. He was messing with me, but there was a slight gleam in his eyes that made me wonder just how serious he was.

“Alright, alright, you laugh now. But if the forest starts swallowing us up, you’ll be begging me to lead the way. I’m the one with the survival skills, remember?” Mike added, "You know, if you're not careful, you might end up being the one screaming for help when things go south," he said with a smirk. He took a step closer, lowering his voice, as if he was about to reveal some grand secret.

"I mean, really, how do you explain the strange marks on the trees and the weird shadows moving in the distance? You don’t think that’s a bit... odd? Maybe it's just me, but I’ve got a gut feeling something’s out there." He paused for a moment, letting the silence stretch, the tension thick in the air. "But hey, go ahead, ignore me. It’ll be your lucky day when we’re all running for our lives, and you’re the one who didn’t see it coming.”