Whispers in the Dark

Day 1 The forest looked wrong tonight. Too quiet. No insects,

no wind. Just me and the crunch of my own boots. My phone was the

only light. When it died, the dark came alive. That’s when I heard it.

A voice. Soft. Against my ear like breath: “Go back… before

it’s too late.” I screamed, but nothing came out. My throat was dry.

My body shook so badly I could barely move. I ran until my lungs burned.

When I reached my front door, I saw the words carved into the wood.

Deep, jagged letters that oozed dark liquid like fresh wounds: GO BACK BEFORE IT’S