Between Love and Obsession

Episode - 1. When there is no way out...

The evening settled gently over the forest as the golden rays of the setting sun filtered through the tall trees. A cool breeze carried the fresh scent of pine and damp earth, while birds sang their final songs returning to their nests.

As darkness slowly conquered the sky, the group gathered around a crackling campfire. Orange flames dancing brightly, sending tiny sparks into the night like glowing fireflies. The warmth of the fire chased away the evening chill, creating a cozy circle of light in the middle of the quiet forest.

Some friends laughed loudly, sharing funny stories and teasing one another. The couples sat close together, roasting marshmallows over the fire and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. Soft music played from a portable speaker, blending with the sounds of chirping crickets and rustling leaves.

Above them, countless stars began to appear in the night sky, and a silver moon peeked through the branches, bathing the forest in a gentle glow. It was a beautiful unforgettable evening -- one that seemed perfect.

But... Hidden beyond the circle of fire light, the dark forest stood silent, mysterious, and Waiting...

Among the cheerful laughter and smiling faces sat one girl, forcing a smile that never reached her eyes. While everyone around her enjoyed the warmth of the campfire with their partners, she felt like an outsider.

She quietly picked up another cup of alcohol and drank it in one gulp. The bitter taste did nothing to ease the loneliness in her heart. One drink became too, then three, until the world around her began to blur.

" I'm just going for a walk, "

She murmured... though no one seemed to hear her over the laughter.

Without waiting for anyone to notice, she walked away from the campsite. At first, she simply wanted a little peace and quiet. The cool night Breeze brushed against her face as she wandered between the tall trees.

Step by step, she kept walking, lost in her thoughts. The music from the campfire faded into the distance, replaced by the chirping of crickets and the rustling of leaves.

After several minutes, she stopped and looked around.

The campfire was gone. The familiar path had disappeared...

Her smile faded as panic slowly filled her heart.

" Hello...?" she called out, her voice trembling.

Only silence answered her.

She turned in another direction, hoping to find her friends, but every tree looked the same. The deeper or she walked, the darker the forest became. Her breathing grew heavier as fear replaced the effects of the alcohol.

"I... I'm lost..."

For the first time that night, she realized she was completely alone in the endless darkness of the forest.

A cold breeze swept through the forest, making the branches sway above her. The silence around her felt strange, as if the entire forest stopped breathing.

She hugged herself tightly and took another cautious step.

Crack...

The sound of a twig snapping echoed behind her.

She froze.

Slowly, she turned around.

"Who's there ?" she asked, her voice shaking.

No one answered.

She let out a nervous laugh, trying to convince herself it was only a wild animal. Turning back, she hurried along the narrow path.

Crack... Crack...

The footsteps came again.

This time, they were closer.

Her heart pounded wildly against her chest. She spun around once more.

In the darkness, between the tall trees, she noticed a shadowy figure standing motionless.

Her eyes widened.

"N-No..."

The figure took a slow step forward.

She screamed and ran as fast as she could. Branches scratched her arms, and thorns tore at her clothes, but she didn't dare look back. All she could hear were her own frantic breaths and the sound of something following her through the forest.

"Help! Somebody... Please help!" she cried.

Tears blurred her vision as she stumbled over rocks and Tangled roots. Her legs were growing weaker, but fear kept pushing her forward.

Suddenly--

"Ah!"

Her foot caught on a thick tree root.

She was thrown forward, hitting the ground hard. A sharp pain shot through her head as it struck a rock.

The world around her spun.

Her vision became blurry, and the sounds of the forest slowly faded away.

With one final frightened glance into the darkness, she lost consciousness.

The silent forest swallowed her cries as she lay motionless beneath the moonlit trees.

What will happen to her ? Will she be saved ?

Read in chapter 2 😉