The forest floor was treacherous, roots twisting beneath his feet like traps. He stumbled more than once, his breath ragged as he pushed forward. The deeper he went, the more suffocating the silence became. It wasn’t just quiet—it was unnatural, like the forest itself was holding its breath.
He checked his map again. He was still heading in the right direction, but the oppressive stillness gnawed at him. Every crack of a twig made his pulse jump. The trees loomed taller here, their dense branches blocking out the last slivers of light. This was unfamiliar ground. And he was completely alone.