Chapter 4: The Warning

They hurriedly gathered around the old man, their faces etched with concern.

"Oh my goodness, is he okay?" Chloe asked, her voice laced with worry.

Ethan crouched down next to the motionless elderly gentleman, examining him closely. "He doesn't appear to be injured, just disoriented," he replied, his tone filled with empathy.

Lying sprawled out on the floor, the old man's tangled beard and wild silver hair mirrored his unkempt appearance. Strands of silver mimicked the wiriness of his beard, and the dirt-streaked feet spoke of days enduring without a covering, revealing the painful grasp of hunger. His visage, weathered and wrinkled, was obscured by unruly hair, making it almost impossible to discern his features.

As if in response to their presence, the old man suddenly jerked awake, sending a strange wriggle cascading through his body, resembling a startled worm. The sight sent shivers down their spines, compelling them to instinctively retreat a step.

Struggling to his feet with an erratic twist to his entire frame, the old man approached them, his every movement an arduous. His entire frame twisted erratically, as if every movement caused him immense discomfort. It was as if his body defied the simple act of walking or even standing. Despite his physical struggles, his voice carried an air of urgency. His voice trembled as he spoke, hovering between vulnerability and urgency.

"Oh! My dear son, where are you going?" the old man said, pointing towards a vast and looming forest in the distance. "If you are going there..."

His voice trailed off, and a look of dread passed over his aged features. He continued, his voice barely above a whisper, "Don't! Don't! Beware!"

Each word he spoke resonated with an intensity that lingered in the air. The warning was palpable, leaving an unshakable feeling of foreboding in the hearts of the group.

Ryan, the bold and adventurous one, couldn't help but question the old man's cryptic words. "Why should we beware? What's in there?"

The old man's eyes bore into Ryan's, holding a painful mixture of sorrow and fear. "Darkness... Evil," he muttered. "The forest... It lures you in with its beauty, but it conceals unspeakable horrors."

Ava's voice trembled as she voiced her concerns. "But why? What makes it so dangerous?"

The old man took a deep, raspy breath, as if gathering the strength to provide an answer. "Long ago, an entity of pure malevolence took root in those woods. It feeds on the innocence of wanderers, corrupting their souls until nothing remains but monstrosity."

As soon as the old man finished his sentence they vaguely heard their name being called out from behind.

Startled, the group turned around in search of the voice that had called out to them, only to find themselves engulfed in an eerie silence. The voice had sounded soft yet scary, and its mysterious nature sent a chill down their spines.

"What was that? Did you guys hear it too?" Ava's voice trembled with a mix of fear and confusion.

Ryan's eyes darted around, searching for the source of the voice. "It was like a whisper, but I could only hear my own name. What about you guys?"

Chloe's skin prickled with unease. "Same here. It was like the voice knew my name, but there was no one around."

Ethan's voice held a tinge of disbelief. "This can't be a coincidence. There's something strange going on here."

As they turned back around to face the old man, their hearts thundered within their chests, but he had vanished without a trace. Panic surged within them as they realized the gravity of the situation.

"Where did he go?" Chloe's voice came out as a frightened whisper.

Ryan scanned the surroundings, his eyes wide with fear. "He was right here a moment ago. How did he disappear so quickly?"

Ava clutched Ethan's arm tightly, her nails digging into his skin. "I have a bad feeling about this. We need to get out of here, now!"

They hurriedly retreated back to the safety of their car, the sense of foreboding lingering in the air. The mist that had shrouded the area dissipated as they reached their vehicle, leaving no trace of its presence.

"Did you see that mist?" Ethan's voice quivered, a mixture of fear and disbelief in his tone.

Chloe nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't explain it, but something isn't right here."

Ryan started the car, his hands trembling as he gripped the steering wheel. "We need to leave, now. This place gives me the creeps."

As they peeled away from the abandoned area and sped down the road, a deep-rooted sense of fear settled over the group. They couldn't shake off the feeling that they had encountered something far more sinister than they could have ever imagined. The old man's words echoed in their minds, warning them of a dark and deadly secret lurking in the forest that lay in wait for its next victim.

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