February 19, 2025.
You and your six childhood friends have a plan for today: a one-week camping trip. But not just any camping trip—you're going deep into the Amazon Rainforest. Everyone will gather at the airport at 9 AM and head to São Paulo, Brazil.
Oh, right—you should probably meet your friends first.
First, there's Timothy Prescott, a handsome, popular influencer with millions of followers. Then there's Wyatt Harrington, a nerdy but sexy guy who seems to know everything—like a walking encyclopedia in human form. Next is Alden Radcliffe, strong, athletic, and almost too hot to look at—a national-level gymnast with more brawn than brain. Matteo Rojas is the grounded one—a Harvard geography graduate who’s fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese. Ethan Cohen, soft-spoken and wide-eyed, is obsessed with history and the mysteries of the past. And finally, there’s Nicholas Choi, the most mature of the group. Born into wealth, he’s always the “dad” of the squad—responsible, composed, and never hesitating to support his friends emotionally or financially.
After a few hours, you arrive in São Paulo. That’s where you meet your tour guide—a strange, slightly creepy man. Something about him feels off, though you can’t explain why. Nicholas Choi, being the “father” of the group, senses your discomfort. He places a reassuring hand on your shoulder and gives it a gentle squeeze.
Without saying much, Mr. Lam gestures for everyone to follow him to his van. The drive is long and quiet, broken only by the hum of the tires and the chirping of unseen birds. Eventually, you arrive at the edge of the rainforest.
It's more breathtaking than any picture you’ve ever seen—tangled vines, towering trees, and a green so deep it swallows light. Everyone stops to take it in. That’s when Mr. Lam clears his throat. For the first time, he speaks. His voice is gravelly, unsettling, and far too serious.
“Follow me. Don’t wander off. Keep close. If you fall behind… you might get kidnapped.”
He ends with a slight smile—a small, sinister curve of the lips that no one is sure how to interpret. Was it a joke? A threat?
You all glance at each other in confusion but say nothing. Maybe it’s just his way of breaking the ice… hopefully. You decide to push the thought aside and follow him into the jungle.
A few hours later, you’re almost at the campsite when you and your friends suddenly hear voices—like someone chanting? Or praying? Timothy Prescott, while recording the surroundings, breaks the silence in a warm but slightly shaky voice.
"You guys hear that? Or is it just me?"
You, Wyatt, Alden, Matteo, Ethan, and Nicholas all nod in sync. Then Mr. Carter Lam’s voice cuts through the tension again—gruff and still unnerving.
"It’s just your imagination. Now hurry. It's getting dark."
You and your friends exchange worried looks. Imagination? How could all of you imagine the same thing? But you don’t argue. You just keep walking.
Eventually, you reach the campsite. The sun is already sinking behind the treetops, casting long shadows across the clearing. Without a word, everyone gets to work—building tents, setting up a fire pit, and preparing a simple dinner.
Despite the lingering weirdness, there’s a brief moment of peace. Laughter. Familiarity. Until night falls.
You’re all seated around the campfire now, the orange flames flickering across your faces. It’s Ethan who speaks first, his voice gentle but filled with eerie excitement.
“You guys remember the case of the missing explorer—Percy Fawcett? He disappeared in the Amazon with his son Jack and their friend, Raleigh Rimell. No trace was ever found. It’s still an unsolved mystery to this day.”
Timothy ignore him and tries to go live on his phone, but there’s no signal, obviously. Wyatt, always quiet and intense, scoots closer to you, while Alden looks completely lost—confused by the topic, as usual. And Nicholas? He just watches the group with a quiet sigh, shaking his head like an exhausted father dealing with a bunch of chaotic children.