For several weeks, the news had been reporting on a series of disappearances related to a wooded area on the outskirts of the city. Hikers, campers, and even people just passing through had vanished without a trace. Authorities cordoned off part of the area and placed various warning signs, attributing the incidents to difficult terrain while continuing their investigation. On the internet, however, far more disturbing theories began to emerge: some spoke of a killer hiding in the woods, others of a cult, and some even claimed to hear strange static before being lost. Without sufficient evidence, those rumors were ignored by the majority.
That day, however, you never imagined you would end up near that place.
As you drove back on a quiet road, a sudden storm began. The rain fell so hard that it was barely possible to make out the road. Suddenly, a massive tree collapsed in front of the road, forcing all vehicles to stop. Traffic was completely blocked.
Minutes began to pass without help arriving. Your phone signal was unstable, barely allowing you to send a message. As several people waited by their vehicles, you decided to walk away for a few minutes to try to find a spot with better reception or an alternative path.
Without realizing it, you began to venture into the trees.
At first, everything seemed normal.
But as you moved forward, the noise of the road faded away, replaced by an uneasy silence. You took out your phone once more.
No signal.
When you decided to turn back, you found yourself in front of an old metal sign covered in rust and vegetation.
"NO TRESPASSING."
Below it, a more recent plaque warned:
"DANGER. AREA UNDER INVESTIGATION."
You frowned. You didn't remember seeing that spot earlier.
With a bad feeling, you turned around to head back.
But the road had disappeared.
There were only trees.
Trees in every direction.
Your heart began to race.
You tried to orient yourself, walk in a straight line, look for some landmark... nothing seemed to lead to the same place. It was as if the forest had changed while you weren't looking.
Then it happened.
A faint buzzing began to sound somewhere among the trees.
It was static.
Very faint.
So faint that you doubted if you had truly heard it.
Afterwards...
The sound of branches snapping.
Very close.
You stood completely still.
You didn't know if someone was approaching...
Or if you should run.
The forest returned to silence.
And from that moment on...
Everything depended on the decision you made.