"Emi… are you sure you want to go on this trip?"
William Johnson glanced toward the passenger seat, his voice tight with worry. Emily sat beside him, gazing out the window at the dense forest pressing in on both sides of the road. Tall, shadowed trees swallowed the fading evening light, their branches forming a dark tunnel ahead.
"Yes, honey. It's fine. Really." She smiled softly. "They've helped us so much. If they invited us with such happiness, how can we refuse?"
William frowned, tightening his grip on the steering wheel.
"I know that. But they invited you knowing your condition." His voice sharpened with frustration. "You're eight months pregnant, Emi. And you wanted to leave tonight. We were supposed to go tomorrow morning. At least then the road would be familiar. Now we're driving through some unknown place, on an unfamiliar route-"
"Willy…" Emily interrupted gently. "Calm down. "She placed a hand over her round belly as the baby stirred beneath her palm. "Our little one is fine. We're fine. And you know very well we have to go today. So stop worrying so much, you're making the baby nervous too."
William's expression softened instantly. One hand remained on the steering wheel while the other moved instinctively to her belly. Feeling the faint movement beneath his palm, a smile replaced his anxiety, if only for a moment.
They were on their way to Emily's best friend Olivia's new house. Wanting a quieter life, Olivia and her husband had moved to a remote area far from the city. Tonight was meant to be a small housewarming party. Olivia had hesitated to invite Emily, insisting, "Only if you feel up to it." But Emily couldn't miss such an important moment. Olivia had stood beside her from the very beginning, through business struggles, sleepless nights, and endless doubts.
The couple had left home in the evening, planning to arrive before night fully settled in. Since they had never been to the area before, William relied on Google Maps.
If only they had known how much faith not to place in it.
"Willy," Emily said uneasily, peering at the narrow road ahead. "Isn't there a main road? This doesn't even look like a proper road for a car."
"If we knew the way, we wouldn't be here." William exhaled sharply. "This damn map only shows shortcuts and side roads. No proper route at all."
"Why would Olivia choose a place like this?" he muttered. "If it weren't for Google Maps, we'd already be completely lost."
Minutes passed as the car crept forward along the deserted road, the forest thick and silent around them. No houses. No streetlights. No signs of human life.
Then-
"Oh no… no, no, no!"
William slammed the brakes.
"What happened?" Emily asked, panic flashing across her face.
"The signal-" He stared at the screen. "The signal's gone. It froze back there. We were supposed to turn right, but the map got stuck. Now our route's completely changed."
"So… what do we do?"
William ran a hand through his hair, frustration breaking through.
"We've already passed the turning point by more than a kilometer. There's no space to turn around, and the road's too narrow to reverse that far."
He leaned forward, resting his forehead against the steering wheel.
"Damn it…"
Emily's breathing grew shallow. Seeing her fear, William immediately straightened.
"Hey… hey." He reached for her. "Don't be scared. I'm here. We'll be fine." He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Let's keep going. There has to be a place ahead where we can turn back."
Emily forced a small smile and nodded.
They drove on, but the road only grew narrower.
"Mhh- ah…"
The sound made William freeze.
He stopped the car instantly and turned to her, eyes wide. "Emi? Are you in pain?"
"It's okay," she said, breathing deeply. "Just a little discomfort. That's all."
"Breathe slowly, " he murmured, brushing her hair back. "Just like that."
After a moment, Emily spoke again. "Willy… can we get out for a bit? Sitting is making it worse. I need air."
He nodded without hesitation and rushed around to help her out.
They leaned against the car beneath the dim glow of a distant lamppost and the soft spill of the headlights. The forest loomed silently around them.
"Emi," William said quietly.
"Hm?"
"If we find a house nearby… can we ask to stay the night?"
She looked at him in surprise. "Why?"
"I don't want to keep driving tonight. You're exhausted. You look pale." He glanced around. "And where there are fewer trees, there are usually houses."
She thought for a moment, then nodded. "Okay."
William helped her back toward the car, but suddenly stopped.
"Emi… do you see that?"
"See what?"
"There." He pointed into the forest. "A yellow light."
Emily squinted. "Oh… yes. What is that?"
"It has to be a house." His face brightened. "Stay here. I'll check. If it is a house, you won't have to suffer anymore."
"William…" Emily frowned. "Why didn't we notice it before?"
"Maybe the lights just turned on." He smiled reassuringly. "I'll be back in a minute."
Before she could protest, he closed the car door and disappeared into the trees.
Five minutes passed.
Then ten.
Emily's heart began to pound.
"William…" she whispered, gripping her belly. "Please come back."
The yellow light remained, unchanging.
Then suddenly, it brightened.
Green light spilled outward, swallowing the yellow glow. The distant lamppost flickered wildly.
Fear seized Emily's chest.
Ignoring the pain in her abdomen, she stepped out of the car and moved slowly toward the forest.
A low, unnatural sound echoed through the trees.
Her vision blurred.
Then she saw him.
"Wi-William…?"
Her scream tore through the night.
"No… no… NO!"
NEXT MORNING
Breaking news just in,
"Heirs Group CEO Mr. William Johnson and his wife, Mrs. Emily Johnson, were found dead in a forested area of Oakham, East Midlands…"
The reporter's voice was cold and factual.
"Police describe the deaths as mysterious. No injuries were found on either body. The coroner has listed the cause of death as unusual physical weakness."
"Despite Mrs. Johnson being eight months pregnant, evidence suggests she gave birth last night. The newborn baby is missing."
The camera shifted.
"Trees surrounding the scene were found crushed, though investigators have yet to determine how. Searches for the infant are ongoing, though officials say survival is unlikely."
The screen faded.
"I can't believe this world anymore," muttered a restaurant owner, shaking his head as customers watched in silence.
Across the street, a man lowered his glass in a dim tavern.
"A baby?" he thought. "How did I miss that?"
A slow smile curved his lips.
"It doesn't matter. It's only a little one."
Moments later, black smoke curled where he had been standing, then vanished.
But what that man didn't know…
Was that the missing baby would become the greatest mistake of his life.