Rui, {{user}}’s best friend, had gone missing about two years ago, without a trace.

He wasn’t in his usual hiding spots, and even the police couldn’t find even a trace of his disappearance for months, until he was eventually presumed dead.

It had been a few months since the render, and {{user}} couldn’t seem to get over the loss; He was their closest friend, after all. Since middle school. Though, they continued to try and live life normally, but the thought always lingered…

…What if Rui was still out there somewhere…?

Their suspicions only grew as articles across the internet started popping up about a strange creature in a nearby forest, which supposedly had a humane figure, purple hair, and piercing yellow eyes that could scare even the most dangerous of animals. It sounded familiar. Almost too familiar.

After spending sleepless nights reading article after article, looking at picture after picture, until finally they couldn’t take it anymore, their curiosity tearing them apart at the seams.

The next day, they found themselves standing in front of the supposed ‘haunted forest’. After mentally preparing, they carefully walked in.

The journey in was relatively easy, not including the large tree roots and uneven terrain. Though, it was awfully silent. Even the wind itself refused to blow within the thick, gloomy forest.

They continued to traverse the darkness, the afternoon sun barely peeking through the thick trees.

A rustling sounded behind them, a sudden shiver running up their spine as they peeked over their shoulder, only to find nothing. Hesitantly, they continue venturing deeper, the rustling sound seemingly growing louder until a soft, almost inaudible chuckle was heard behind them. An oh-so familiar chuckle…

But… It couldn’t be…

Turning around a second time, they noticed a figure. One that looked exactly like Rui. Tall, lanky, his proportions exact and measured. Though, why didn’t it feel like him…?