Aiden
As I walked towards the forest, the crisp autumn air biting at my cheeks, I saw other students gathered at the edge of the woods. They chattered nervously amongst themselves, some clutching each other's arms for comfort. I kept my distance, not wanting to draw any attention to myself. The sun dipped lower, casting eerie shadows through the bare branches.
The sound of distant drums echoed through the trees, signaling the start of the hunt. Students began to scatter, disappearing into the underbrush. I hesitated, then broke into a run, following a narrow path deeper into the forest. I moved swiftly, my heart pounding in sync with the beat of the drums. The sounds of pursuit grew louder, and I knew they were close behind.
I turned sharply off the path, weaving through the bushes until I found a thick undergrowth to hide in. I crouched down and peered through the leaves, watching the hunters pass me quickly. Among them was Selena, her black leather jacket gleaming in the moonlight. She paused briefly, scanning the area, and for a terrifying moment I thought she had spotted me. But then she continued, leading her gang deeper into the forest.
My heart pounded in my chest as I watched her retreat. I knew she wouldn't give up easily. The hunt would last all night, and eventually, she would find me. I had to keep moving. As the drumbeats faded into the distance, I crept out of my hiding spot and resumed running. My breath came in ragged gasps as I navigated the dark forest, guided only by the dim light filtering through the canopy above.
The forest was eerily quiet, save for the crunch of leaves and the snapping of twigs under my feet. I tried to stick to paths that would hide my footsteps, hoping to leave no trace for Selena and her gang. My mind raced as I ran, making plans and escape routes. A faint rustling in the distance caught my attention, and I froze in mid-stride, holding my breath.
Suddenly, a hand clamped over my mouth, stifling my gasp of surprise. A strong arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me backward into the shadows. I struggled briefly before recognizing the familiar scent and realizing it was Milo. "Shh" he whispered in my ear, his breath warm on my neck. "It's okay, it's just me." He slowly released his hold, allowing me to turn and face him.
I nodded, relieved to see a friendly face amidst the chaos. "What are you doing out here?" I whispered. "I saw you slip away from the others and wanted to make sure you were okay" Milo replied quietly. "I know how dangerous this can get." "Thank you" I said, genuinely touched by his concern. "But I can handle myself." Milo grinned, flashing his dimples. "I know you can, tough guy. But maybe we should stick together anyway?"
"You're right! We need to be together, that way we'll have an advantage." We grew up first and set off again. The forest was eerie, and every sound scared me more and more. I knew that Selena was somewhere waiting for me to make a mistake, but I wasn't going to let her this time. Suddenly Milo stopped in front of me and bumped into his back. "Milo?" I jerked back and saw one of the hunters with a pink neon mask and a club in her hand. "What have we caught here!" she said mockingly and took a step forward.
"Run!" Milo shouted, pushing me back. I stumbled, but I got to my feet and turned to run. The Huntress charged at Milo, swinging her club wildly. He dodged the first few blows, but she was relentless. As I sprinted, I looked back and saw Milo trip over a root, giving the Huntress the opening she needed. The club hit his side and sent him sprawling.
I ran into the woods without looking back. Milo was caught and out of the hunt. The hunters catch students, but they would never hurt them. After all, this is a game, not a massacre. As I ran, a huge, eerie, almost abandoned house suddenly appeared in front of me. What was a house like that doing in the middle of the woods? I wondered if anyone lived here? I looked around before continuing and slowly walked towards it.
The heavy wooden door creaked ominously as I pushed it open, revealing a dimly lit foyer. Dust motes danced in the faint shafts of light filtering through grimy windows. The air was thick with the scent of decay and old wood. I stepped inside cautiously, my sneakers echoing on the cracked marble floor. "Hello?" My voice sounded small and lost in the vast emptiness.
Apparently no one lives here. I went further into the house and started climbing the stairs that creaked under my feet. Who would live in such a place? Eerie, abandoned and cold. When I climbed the stairs, there was a large hallway in front of me. Unsure where to go, I first entered the first room, which immediately caught my attention. Then I stopped, shocked by what I found.
The entire room had pictures of me stuck to the walls. Some even had lipstick marks on them. Then I suddenly realized something. Selena lives in this house. This is her house. "Damn it!" I cursed under my breath.
A cold sweat broke out on my brow as I backed away from the wall of photographs. Each image seemed to watch me accusingly, a testament to Selena's obsession. My heart pounded in my chest like a trapped animal desperate to escape. I had to get out of here. Turning on my heel, I dashed back into the hallway and hurried down the stairs, my footsteps echoing loudly in the silence.
Just as I was about to open the front door to escape this damn place, a strong hand covered my mouth with a towel, forcing me to close my eyes. "What..." "Hello, bunny" Selena whispered in my ear. "Time to get some sleep." I tried to pull her hand away, but she was stronger than me. My eyes were slowly closing.