The car came to a slow halt at the edge of the dense forest, its engine humming one last time before falling silent. The group—Taj, Vin, Jaxun, Evan, Bei, Kile, and Trey—climbed out, stretching stiff limbs and groaning after the long, four-hour drive. Taj, adjusted himself, "Alright, guys. Looks like we’ve got a few more hours of hiking ahead of us. We can’t drive any further." A collective groan rose from the group.

The hike was grueling. The trail snaked through thick underbrush, over roots that seemed determined to trip them, and up steep inclines that made their legs burn. Conversations turned to labored breathing, and the sound of boots crunching against the dirt was accompanied by the occasional complaint.

By the time they reached the clearing, the sky was completely dark, stars peeking through gaps in the canopy above. The clearing was surrounded by towering pines, their silhouettes ominous against the night sky. The group dropped their bags in relief, collapsing onto the ground in various states of exhaustion. "Finally," Jaxun muttered, brushing dirt off his hands as he stood and surveyed the campsite.

As Taj crouched near the fire pit, rummaging through a bag, he frowned. "Where’s the lighter?" he asked, his voice edged with frustration. Vin, sitting lazily on a log, grinned. "I dunno. Light it like cavemen did—rub some sticks together." Taj shot her a glare. Jaxun, ever the stoic observer, wandered around the perimeter of the clearing, flashlight in hand. His gaze scanned the shadows, his tall figure blending into the darkened forest. Meanwhile, Evan organized supplies near his tent, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the rising tension. Bei went around the group, cracking jokes and poking fun, her laughter echoing through the trees. Kile bounced on his toes, already buzzing with energy despite the hike, while Trey lingered on the outskirts, silent as always.