Lost in the Woods

fluff: ⸻ He stepped off the trail for five seconds. When he turned back,

the path was gone. Trees closed in—same bark, same scars, repeating like a

glitch. His compass spun. His phone showed full signal… but every call connected

to his own voice, whispering, “You’re walking the wrong way.” Night fell too fast.

Footsteps followed him—perfectly synced. When he stopped, they stopped. When he ran,

they ran ahead. He finally saw a clearing and collapsed in relief. That’s when he noticed

the footprints in the mud. They were his. Only… they were facing toward the

forest.