They walked through the main gate, upon which the name Bluestone Wild Forest was engraved. Beyond it lay the reception zone, where tickets were issued or displayed for legal entry.
One thing stood out immediately — the sheer number of people. The place was packed, almost like a concert. Considering this was just a forest reserve at most, the crowd was surprising. Then again, it was October 31st — Halloween — and the forest had a reputation for being eerie. That explained the crowd.
Alex led the trio, scanning for the others who'd make up their crew.
"I've spotted them," Alex said, waving toward a girl with strawberry-blond hair. She waved back almost instantly, having noticed the boys. The three laughed at something the girl with deep black hair said.
"She's pretty," Jacob muttered. He looked at Sebastian, about to say more, but Alex cut him off.
"Don't say anything stupid Jacob. And don't do anything stupid Seb— it wasn't easy getting them to come."
Both nodded quickly in agreement.
They began walking quickly towards the girls arriving in a matter of seconds.
"Hey, meet my bros— Jacob and over here Sebastian," Alex said, immediately introducing them on arrival. Two of the girls waved back; the last one, with a short bob, was still glued to her phone.
"Hi, I'm Ava. Nice to finally meet you guys," she greeted warmly. "This is Sarah… and the rude one over there is Chloe."
"Hi," Sarah and Chloe replied almost in sync.
Ava had an effortless glow — her hair tumbled in loose, sun-kissed waves, and her eyes sparkled with mischief and curiosity. Even in a crowd, she felt like the only person you couldn't stop noticing. A true eye magnet.
[As expected of Alex...] the guys nodded to each other, truly impressed.
The other two girls didn't fall short either. Chloe's sleek bob framed her face perfectly, highlighting her high cheekbones and soft jawline. She carried a polished, no-nonsense vibe. Her eyes glimmered with a cold mischief that contrasted with her warm, room-brightening smile — though at the moment, that smile was aimed at her phone.
[Thoroughly wasted...] the three thought in regret.
Sarah, on the other hand, looked like she'd stepped right out of a fashion spread. Every detail of her outfit was perfectly in place. She had a gentle, inviting energy — her smile like a soft blanket: warm, comforting, impossible to resist. For some reason the trio thought it was forced? but that couldn't be, right?.
Seb and Jacob exchanged a look — silent rivalry flickered in their eyes.
"Okay," Alex said, clearing his throat. hoping to avoid the brewing conflict "let's organize this properly."
He coughed lightly, then continued. "We're heading into that forest. But the main goal isn't to see wildlife — most of the interesting animals were moved to restricted zones that require clearance to enter. So instead, this is more of a test of courage. Adrenaline, excitement… and of course—" he gestured dramatically toward the girls "—to accompany these stunning ladies."
He grinned, stepping slightly away from the group before continuing, "To make things fair, we'll go in pairs. We based it on how brave we think everyone is, so we don't end up with two scaredy-cats together. Me and Ava already worked out the teams."
He pointed. "Jacob and Ava — you're together."
"Huh?" Jacob frowned.
"She's brave," Alex said simply. "Seb, you're with Chloe. And I'm with Sarah."
I grumbled under my breath. Seriously? Of all the three, I got this one?
"For safety," Alex added, tone suddenly serious. "Keep your walkie-talkies on at all times. They have a built-in beacon that beeps faster the closer you are to the rest of us. Cell signals are terrible here — and the deeper you go, the weirder it gets. So this is your lifeline."
He then pulled out three maps. "Red zones — don't go there" he pointed. Public assembly zone — if you get lost. Private zones — marked with Xs. Meet at this one in an hour, then we'll regroup and eat."
They all nodded.
"Take pictures of anything eerie. That's the game where playing the more weird it appears the higher the allocated points the team with the lowest funds the next outing, Let's go."
They passed through the ticket barrier in pairs, waving as they went. Jacob shot me one last grin.
Sebastian's Perspective
I crouched to study the map, pen in hand, marking areas to explore.
"What are you doing?" a calm voice asked. Chloe — she'd finally put away her phone.
"Marking possible eerie spots to head to. I'm Seb, by the way."
"I'm aware of that" she said with a faint smile — It lacked the earlier serenity now more on the edge of creepy
"Uh… want to help?" I offered, standing up. She took the map wordlessly and began circling areas fast — maybe she'd researched this place. Then, without a word, she walked off with the map leaving me behind.
"Huh what the....wait a moment"
(╬≖_≖) This girl. I felt my mouth twitch
"Wait for me!" I called again, chasing after her. The air had turned colder somehow.
"Can I see the map?" I asked, catching up.
"Do you need it?" she asked casually.
That made me stop. Do I need it? What kind of twisted logic was that—no need to think just take it then look at it
I snatched the map back and glanced at it. The circles, she marked were quite a bit.....wait why where all of them in the areas shaded in deep red
"Wo wo wo your circles — they're all in the danger zones!" I exclaimed.
"So? That's where the creepy stuff is supposed to be. Don't worry — where we're going first is the worst one the others are child's play anyway."
She turned to keep walking.
"The worst one" I mumbled "child's play girl, your joking right..."That's asking for something to happen," I said, forcing my voice steady.
I sighed thinking on my feet
"I'm not following you. Go alone."
I turned away. The map was still in my hand — or so I thought, she had snatched it quickly back.
"The map's for exploration," she said coolly. "Go back. We're not far from the entrance anyway."
She gestured dismissively and walked off.
I sighed, I tried my best to calm down, No one can blame this fearless daddy I thought.
I switched on my flashlight to run of— and froze. A shadow flickered past behind the trees. This caused me to break out in cold sweat.
I sprinted after her. shouting "wait you silly girl leaving your knight in shiny armour behind, how daft can you be" Thankfully she hadn't gone far.
"Why are you back?" she asked with a smirk. "Afraid, huh?". "No!" I shot back. "I came to offer protection....that aside I swear on your life that I saw something back there"
"Excuses." She snorted — and kept walking.
"Excuses, my ass — I saw something there." I turned to point.
She stopped replying, while tilting her head. "Should we check it out? Maybe get a pic?"
I gazed aghast at her question. Surely even Buddha would've lost patience with this girl's logic. "Don't you watch movies? What do you mean we should check it out?" I looked at her questioning her sanity.
I couldn't wait anymore I looked back then turned — that crawling feeling of being watched was eating at me. I then grabbed her shoulder, turning her toward the path ahead. "Let's go." I pleaded
Thankfully, she agreed. She started walking, rather quickly to. Maybe she was just as scared. I glanced at her face — nope, the expression was too calm for someone in distress indeed she was insane"
We arrived at a clearing when on immediate entry the feeling of being watched vanished. "It's beautiful" Chloe mumbled " I turned to look, My First thought Too beautiful.