Chapter 1 : The Forbidden Island.

The room buzzed with the excited chatter of the recently graduated friends. Seven of them had gathered in Adrian's room, discussing their last grand adventure before they all went their separate ways.

"Okay, we've done all the adventures," Serapha said, her voice brimming with eagerness. "We need something new, something thrilling."

"Yeah," Isabella agreed. "This is our last vacation together. It has to be a life-changing experience."

Adrian,leaned back on the bed, pondering. "So, what kind of adventure are we talking about?"

"How about horror?" Linda suggested suddenly, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Horror?" Gabriel laughed, always the to one to keep the mood light. "Like ghost busting?"

The room burst into laughter.

"No, seriously" Linda insisted. "We could explore an abandoned place, a spooky asylum, or some,forbidden location. Let's see if the rumors about those places are true".

Oliver, looked skeptical. "You mean we go ghost hunting? It's not that easy to scare people like us."

Serapha's eyes widened with excitement. "It could be thrilling! What's more exciting than horror?"

Adrian, always the voice of reason, nodded thoughtfully. "Alright, let's do it. Let's find the most rumored, haunted place we can go to."

"Perfect!" Isabella said, and they all grabbed their phones, quickly searching for the spookiest destinations.

The group gathered on Adrian's bed, each with a phone or laptop in hand, scrolling through lists of haunted locations and notorious spots. The air was thick with anticipation as they threw out suggestions.

"What about the abandoned asylum in the next town?" Gabriel suggested, grinning as he showed them a picture of a dilapidated building with shattered windows and ivy creeping up its walls.

"Nah, too close to home," Serapha replied. "We need something more exotic, more mysterious."

"How about the old manor that's supposedly haunted by the ghost of a tragic bride?" Oliver offered, his voice wavering slightly. "I read about it in a horror blog."

Linda shook her head. "That sounds too cliché. We need a place with a unique story, something that's not just a rundown building with spooky legends."

Adrian, who had been quietly reading, looked up. "I've found something interesting. Ever heard of the Forbidden Island?"

Everyone's attention snapped to Adrian, "Forbidden Island?" Isabella asked, leaning closer. "What's that?"

Adrian read aloud from his screen. "It's an isolated place off the coast, not well known but wrapped in all sorts of eerie stories. In the 1700s, it was discovered by runaway African slaves who were hiding from their captors. They hid there for days and, seeing their pursuers leave, decided to stay. They lived happily until a plague hit, wiping out almost the entire population. Only seven survived, and they supposedly performed a ritual involving the sacrifice of their organs to a demon to escape a terrible death."

The room fell silent as the weight of the story settled over them.

"That's intense,'" Ezekiel finally said, his practical mind already considering the logistics. "Do you think we can even get there?"

Serapha's eyes gleamed with excitement. "It's perfect! It's got history, mystery, and horror. We have to go!"

Gabriel, trying to maintain his usual bravado, nodded. "I'm in. But are we sure about this? I mean, what if it's really dangerous?"

Adrian shrugged. "That's what makes it an adventure, right? We'll be careful."

Isabella was already searching for more details. "Let's make some calls, see if we can find anyone who knows more about it or how to get there."

After hours of calling and emailing every contact they could think of, they finally got a break. One of Ezekiel's acquaintances from a paranormal investigation group responded with enthusiasm, providing them with all the information they needed and confirming that the island was as creepy as the legends suggested.

They spent the rest of the evening making plans and researching how to get there.

As the clock ticked past midnight, they listed the Forbidden Island as their top choice, energized by a mix of fear and excitement. They decided to call it a day, heading back to their homes with excited smiles and a sense of eager anticipation. Tomorrow, they would finalize their plans.

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The next day dawned with a flurry of activity. They spent the morning on the phone with boat operators, trying to secure transportation to the island.Each call ended in rejection. One operator

after another refused to take them, citing everything from dangerous waters to the island's bad reputation.

Frustration mounted as the hours passed. Gabriel paced back and forth, his usual upbeat demeanor cracking under the weight of repeated refusals.

"This is ridiculous! Are we really going to give up because no one wants to take us?"

Adrian, kept trying. "We'll find someone. There has to be a way"

By noon, even Serapha's unwavering enthusiasm began to wane. "Maybe we should think about another place," she suggested reluctantly. "We've tried everyone we can think of."

Just as they were about to concede, Adrian's phone rang. He answered, a hint of hope in his voice.

"Hello?"

A gruff voice on the other end replied, "| hear you're looking to go to the Forbidden Island. I can take you, but I need to know if you're really sure about this."

Adrian's heart skipped a beat. "Yes, we're sure. Can you take us?"

The voice hesitated. "Meet me at the port at 9 a.m. the day after tomorrow. Captain Kenya Brooks. But be certain--this is not a place for the faint of heart."

Adrian grinned, relief flooding through him. "We'll be there. Thank you."

He hung up and turned to the group, who were watching him with bated breath. "We've got a boat. We're going to the Forbidden Island."

Cheers erupted in the room. They celebrated for a few minutes, their earlier frustrations forgotten in the rush of excitement. With their plans finally solidified, they dispersed to pack their bags and prepare for the journey of a lifetime.

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The morning of their departure arrived with a sense of nervous energy They gathered at the port, their backpacks filled with essentials for the week ahead. Adrian and Isabella, always early, was already there, while Izzy adjusting her camera gear. Ezekiel and Linda arrived next, closely followed by Serapha and Oliver, who looked both excited and slightly terrified.

"Where's Gabriel?" Adrian asked, checking his watch. It was already a few minutes past nine.

"Late, as usual," Ezekiel said with a smirk.

At 9:15, Gabriel finally showed up, slightly out of breath. "Sorry, guys. Traffic."

"Of course,'" Serapha teased . "What would we do without you being fashionably late?"

They all laughed as they spotted the boat approaching the dock.

Captain Kenya Brooks, a tall, rugged

man with a weathered face, stepped off and greeted them with a nod.

"You must be the group heading to the Forbidden Island," he said. "I'm Captain Brooks. Let's get you aboard."

They followed him onto the boat, their nervous excitement palpable. Once they were settled, the boat set off, the island looming in the distance like a dark promise.

As they sailed, Ezekiel, ever the practical one, couldn't help but ask, "Do you know anything about this island, Captain? Are the rumors really as scary as they say?"

Captain Brooks turned the wheel, his eyes fixed on the horizon. "What rumors did you hear?" he asked, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Isabella spoke up, recounting the tale they had read. "We heard that in the 1700s, runaway African slaves stumbled upon the island while escaping their captors. They hid there for days and, seeing their pursuers leave, decided to stay. They lived happily until a pandemic struck, leaving only seven survivors. They sacrificed their organs in a ritual to a demon, hoping to escape a terrible death."

The captain listened quietly, his expression unreadable. "What were the organs?" he asked, steering the boat smoothly through the waves.

"Some say eyes, nose, and ears. Others mention tongue, brain, heart, and more," Linda added, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"Are these stories true?"

Captain Brooks gave a cryptic smile. "You'll know when you get there."A tense silence fell over them, broken only by the rhythmic splash of the waves against the hull. The atmosphere on the boat grew heavy, each of them lost in their thoughts.

Sensing the growing unease, Gabriel decided it was time to lighten the mood. He leaned back, grinning, and started his usual antics.

"So, you know why ghosts don't like rain?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

Everyone turned to him, curiosity piqued despite the tension. "Why?" Serapha asked, already smiling.

"Because it dampens their spirits!" Gabriel said with a dramatic flourish, making spooky ghost sounds and waving his hands in mock fright.

The group burst into laughter, the tension easing as Gabriel continued with his ghost-themed jokes.

"And you know what the skeleton said to the bartender?"

"What?" Isabella asked, giggling.

"I'll have two beers and a mop!" Gabriel delivered the punchline with perfect timing, causing another wave of laughter to ripple through the group.

Even Captain Brooks couldn't suppress a smile as he listened to their banter. Gabriel's jokes were sill, but they were exactly what the group are like.

Gabriel's jokes did their job, transforming the boat's eerie silence into a chorus of laughter and light hearted conversation. As the boat cut through the waves, the group chatted and bantered, making plans for their week on the island.

They talked about exploring the rumored haunted spots, capturing every moment on camera, and perhaps even conducting a few ghost-hunting sessions at night.

They spent the rest of the day discussing their expectations and sharing stories of previous adventures. Adrian, always the planner, took out a map of the island and started marking the spots they had read about, while Isabella and Linda discussed the natural beauty they hoped to find amidst the island's eerie reputation.

As daybreak, the sky painted in hues of orange and pink, Captain Brooks slowed the boat. The Forbidden Island loomed closer, its rocky shores becoming more defined, and the thick forest.revealing glimpses of shadows that danced in the sunlight.

"We're almost there" the Captain announced. "I'll drop you off at the main dock. Remember, I'll be back in a week to pick you up. Be careful and stick together."

"Got it, Captain'" Ezekiel responded, his voice steady despite the growing tension.

They gathered their belongings and readied themselves for disembarkation. The boat docked with a gentle bump against the worn wooden pier. The island's silence was broken only by the distant call

of a seabird and the rustle of leaves in the breeze.

The group stepped off the boat, thanking Captain Brooks, who gave them a final nod. "Good luck," he said, his eyes holding a knowing look. "Stay safe."

As the boat pulled away, leaving them alone on the dock, the reality of their adventure settled in. They were on the Forbidden Island, a place steeped in mystery and eerie tales, with a whole week ahead of them to explore its secrets

After a moment of gathering their thoughts, they began to walk up the path from the dock, their excitement tinged with a nervous anticipation. The island appeared deceptively normal at first, it's paths winding through dense, green foliage and the air filled with the earthy scent of nature.

"Looks pretty normal,doesn't seem so scary", Oliver remarked, trying to mask his own unease.

"Just wait until nightfall," Serapha replied with a mischievous grin. "That's when the real fun begins."

They followed the path until they reached a small clearing, where a clean cabin stood. Its wooden walls were weathered, and the windows were also clean , it looked sturdy but decent enough. It was to be their base for the week.

"Home sweet home," Isabella said, pushing the door open with a creak.

Inside, the cabin was sparse but cozy, with a few simple beds, a wooden table, and a fireplace. They set their bags down and explored their temporary quarters, already making plans for the days ahead.

Just as they were settling in, a rustling sound came from outside. They turned to see a man approaching, his steps careful and measured. He was tall and lean, with dark eyes that seemed to take in everything around him.

He introduced himself with a warm smile.

"Hello, travelers. I'm Omari, your guide" he said, his voice rich and welcoming. "I live here on the island and help visitors find their way. l'll be your contact while you're here."

"Nice to meet you, Omari," Adrian said, shaking his hand. "We're looking forward to exploring the island. Any tips for us?" Omari nodded.

"There's much to see, but you must be cautious. Stick to the marked paths, and don't wander off into the forbidden areas. They're marked with ribbons for a reason."

He glanced at their eager faces and added, "There's a lot of history here, some of it dark. Respect the island and its past, and you'll be fine."

They thanked Omari and followed him as he gave them a brief tour of the immediate area. He pointed out the main paths, the boundaries marked by ribbons that they were warned not to cross.

By the time they finished the tour, it was noon. The sun was high, and their stomachs rumbled in unison. Omari led them to the mini-hotel, a charming little establishment nestled in a grove of trees.Bamidele and Hadiza, the elderly couple who owned it, greeted them warmly, their faces lighting up with smiles.

"Welcome, welcome'" Hadiza said, her voice full of cheer. "You must be hungry after your journey.Come, sit down. We've prepared lunch for you." They settled around a large wooden table in the cozy dining area, the aroma of homemade food filling the air. The meal was a delightful spread of local dishes, and the friends ate heartily, their earlier nervousness fading in the warmth of the couple's hospitality.

Over lunch, Bamidele and Hadiza shared stories about the island, their love for its beauty evident in every word. They spoke of their younger days, the changes they had seen, and the many travelers they had met.

Omari chimed in with his own tales, including some lighthearted ghost and love stories that made them laugh and shiver at the same time. His playful storytelling and the couple's gentle humor kept the atmosphere lively, and soon the group felt a comforting sense.

After lunch, they returned to their cabin to rest and prepare for the night's adventure. They agreed to start their exploration around 2 a.m., when the island would be at its most mysterious and, hopefully, at its most revealing.

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When night fell, the island transformed. The moon cast an eerie glow over the landscape, and the shadows grew longer and darker. The air was thick with anticipation as they gathered their

equipment and prepared to set out.

"Ready for some ghost hunting?" Serapha asked, her eyes gleaming with excitement

"Let's hope we find something interesting," Adrian replied, double-checking his flashlight.

Gabriel, ever the mood maker, struck a dramatic pose. "To the haunted cabin we go! May we find spirits and spooks aplenty!"

They laughed and headed north, guided by their flashlights and the faint light of the moon. The path was narrow and winding, the trees closing in around them like silent watchers.

After twenty minutes of walking, they arrived at their destination. The "second cabin," as it was known, stood eerily quiet in the darkness, its form barely visible against the backdrop of the forest.They approached it cautiously, their footsteps muffled by the thick layer of leaves on the ground.

The cabin was covered in dust and cobwebs, its windows cracked and fogged with age. Inside, the air was heavy and stale, as if it had not been disturbed in decades.

"This place definitely looks haunted," Oliver whispered, his voice shaking slightly.

They spread out, examining every corner. Serapha found an old, rusted lantern on a table, while Ezekiel and Isabella explored a small, cluttered kitchen area. Adrian and Linda focused on the backroom, where they found a locked door.

"Looks like this hasn't been opened in a while," Linda observed, tugging at the handle. "Maybe it's better left alone," Adrian suggested, but Serapha, ever the daring one, was already reaching for a makeshift tool to pry it open.

After a few minutes of struggle, the door

doesn't barg, so they went back up in the room to find something else. There were boxes, piles of papers and a long table which has shelfs under it , while searching that place Serapha found a box creaked open, revealing a small, dark objects filled with strange artifacts. Among the dust and mini cobwebs, she found objects that looked disturbingly like human organs.

"Is this.. a brain?" Isabella asked, picking up a mini jar that contained a murky substance.

Gabriel, trying to keep the mood light, joked, "Well if it is, someone's clearly lost their mind!"

But the sight of the jars unnerved them. They examined the other objects - a heart, eyes and other items that looked eerily realistic.

"Maybe it's a setup for tourists," Serapha said, though her voice lacked conviction. "You know, to make the place look scarier." Despite her words, they all felt an uneasy chill.

They decided to take the objects outside to examine them more closely. As they left the cabin, they split up to explore the area around it, hoping to capture any signs of paranormal activity.

Gabriel, trying to lighten the atmosphere again, started narrating their actions like a horror movie "And so, the brave adventurers ventured into the haunted forest, where shadows lurked and spirits

whispered.."

His playful commentary drew nervous laughter from the group, breaking the tension. They scouted the perimeter, their cameras and flashlights sweeping the darkness for any sign of the supernatural.

Hours passed, and despite their best efforts, they found nothing out of the ordinary. No ghostly apparitions, no eerie noises, just the quiet rustle of leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl.

As the first light of dawn began to filter through the trees, they regrouped, tired and slightly disappointed.

"What the fudge, man! Nothing was abnormal," Serapha exclaimed, her voice tinged with frustration.

"And here we thought things would go crazy," Ezekiel added, shaking his head.

"We didn't capture anything creepy," Isabella sighed, reviewing the footage on her camera.

"Well, maybe next time," Oliver said, ever the optimist. "Who knows what else this island has in store for us?"They began to make their way towards the cabin to call off the day.

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