*"We need to leave this place. Now."*
Star's voice trembled with urgency, but it sliced through the chatter like a blade.
*"This place is haunted,"* she added, eyes darting wildly.
For a split second, silence hung in the air like a held breath. Then—
Laughter erupted.
Someone snorted, "What do you think this is? A Hollywood horror flick?"
A girl at the back chuckled, "Get a grip, Star. This is real life."
The others joined in, shaking their heads, mocking her tone. The fear in Star's eyes only seemed to entertain them more.
But she wasn't backing down.
"Please!" she cried, voice rising, cracking. "I'm serious. People are disappearing. If we don't leave now, more of us are going to vanish!"
That sobered the laughter—just for a heartbeat.
Max's expression shifted. His gaze sharpened, jaw clenched. A flicker of realization passed through his eyes—like a memory clawed its way back from the dark.
"I think… we should listen to her," Max said slowly. "I remember—just before Daniel disappeared—he looked… weird. Like something had gotten into him."
A murmur spread through the group.
"Yeah, but how do we know they're really missing?" another student shot back. "They're not toddlers—they're adults. Maybe they left. Maybe they're messing with us."
The wind howled outside, the air felt colder.
Max looked around. "Starr's right. We need to go. Now."
The group buzzed with skepticism.
*"They can take care of themselves,"* someone scoffed, crossing their arms.
*"Exactly,"* another chimed in, rolling his eyes. *"What if they're just out in the woods, chilling—or, you know... making out?"* he added with a smirk, nudging the guy next to him.
A ripple of giggles passed through the group. His sarcasm did what it was meant to—it planted doubt in their minds.
*"Right, yeah, it could be something like that,"* one girl agreed. *"Ella and Charles, weren't they like... the department couple? They're probably somewhere tangled in each other."*
Starr's jaw clenched.
*"You need to chill,"* Roland teased, grinning. *"Too many horror movies, Starr. That's why you're freaking out like this."*
She spun on him, eyes blazing. *"This isn't a movie!"* she snapped. *"Seven people are gone, Roland. Seven. And none of us know how—or why."*
Max finally stepped forward again. His tone was calm, but his words were weighted with fear.
*"I get it. Some of you don't believe her. But we need to take this seriously. We don't have security. No connection to the outside world. Just us... and staff. Six people have vanished. No messages. No footprints. Just—gone."*
Silence.
Max looked around. *"This is about survival now. We need to inform the school staff immediately and make a decision before one of *us* becomes next."*
Just as he finished, the lights flickered again.
A low, distant wail echoed through the woods outside.
Nobody laughed this time.
"We need to inform the school staff and prepare for departure. We can't afford to let anyone else go missing," Max pleaded, his voice trembling despite the brave front.
After long arguments, anxious pacing, and several failed calls for help, the decision was made—they would leave at noon.
*By noon*, the air was heavy with fear. Bags were hastily packed, vehicles loaded, and silence fell like a shroud over the camp. The once vibrant students who danced around the fire now wore haunted expressions.
Not a single song.
Not a single joke.
Even *Mr. Festus*, the always-jovial driver, sat stiff at the wheel, his knuckles white as he gripped it. His eyes constantly flicked to the rearview mirror, scanning the winding mountain road behind them like he expected something—*or someone*—to emerge from the mist.
They didn't talk about the missing anymore. It was like speaking their names would summon something from the woods.
They thought they had escaped.
They thought it was over.
But it wasn't.
*Back Home – One Week Later*
Vivian stood in front of her mirror, brushing her hair just like any other evening. But tonight, something stopped her.
A sudden burn—just beneath her ear.
She winced and leaned closer to the mirror. Her fingers brushed the spot.
A *mark*.
Small. Faint. *A perfect circle… with a sharp line slashed through it.*
It wasn't there before.
And it didn't look like a rash or bruise.
*It looked burned in.*
Panic crawled up her spine like cold fingers.
She remembered what Star said back in the woods.
*"This thing marks you…"*
Vivian's eyes widened.