Night 1 – The Broken Compass
The old school bus rattled away, leaving five teenagers stranded at the edge of the Whispering Woods. Evie tapped her phone screen, watching the GPS signal vanish.
“We are completely off the grid. The trail map says the main campsite is just three miles in.”
“Relax, Evie,” Patrick scoffed, adjusting his heavy backpack. “It is just a standard hiking trail. We will be there before dark.”
Sophie did not look at the map. Her eyes were fixed on Parker, who was silently carrying two massive supply crates without breaking a sweat.
“Need some help, Parker?” she asked, her cheeks flushing.
Parker looked up, his dark eyes wide and strangely reflective in the dimming sunlight. “I have got it, Sophie. Thanks. We just need to build the shelter fast. The woods feel... different at night.” Leah slammed a heavy steel hatchet into a fallen log, making everyone jump.
“Then stop flirting and start gathering firewood. I do not plan on freezing.”
By midnight, a thick fog rolled in. Parker stepped away into the darkness, his body aching as a strange, wild instinct tore at his bones. He fought the urge to howl as his fingers hardened into claws.
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