The night was unnaturally quiet, save for the crunch of dead leaves beneath his boots. Ethan's breath clouded in the cold air, every exhale a fleeting reminder of his panic. He clutched the flashlight tightly, its narrow beam slicing through the forest’s dense shadows.

It was here. Somewhere close.

The memories of their laughter from just hours ago were now drowned by the chilling screams that still echoed in his ears. His friends—every last one of them—had fallen to something—or someone—far more sinister than he could fathom.

Then, he saw it. A figure, leaning casually against a tree, the moonlight catching the crimson streaks on their blade.

The figure turned slowly toward him, a twisted smile spreading across their face.