(Chapter One)
Image source: created with Meta AI on WhatsApp
“Are you sure this is the route?” Nisa’s voice sounded uncertain, her eyes scanning the narrow path filled with tree roots.
Reno smiled faintly as he patted his friend’s shoulder. “I checked the offline map. Don’t worry, there’s an alternative route. It’s quicker to post three. Saves energy.”
Ardi, who had been silent until now, snorted, “What alternative route? I’ve climbed this mountain many times; even the official route is clear and there are signs. This route looks like it’s never been used by anyone.”
The afternoon breeze blew, the leaves rustling as if to remind them. The four climbers looked at each other. They were Reno, Ardi, Nisa, and Maya. The journey to the summit of the mountain known for its mystical tales had only just begun, but the tension was already palpable.
“I’ll just go along with it,” Maya tried to lighten the mood. “Besides, we’re in a group. Don’t worry yet.”
Nisa stared at Reno with a sharp gaze, “Reno, you like being weird. Don’t be selfish. I don’t like it.”
CRACK!… The sound of a twig snapping interrupted Nisa’s words. From the bushes beside the trail, they heard something moving quickly. They turned simultaneously. There was no one there. Just the quiet forest.
“Wild boar,” Reno muttered. But his face tensed.
Ardi sighed heavily, “Never mind. Let’s just return to the main trail before dark.”
But Reno insisted. “Trust me. This trail is faster. We can camp at post three before nightfall.”
Nisa lowered her head, gripping her trekking poles tightly. There was an uneasy feeling she couldn’t explain. “Someone… is following us,” she whispered softly.
Maya turned her head in surprise. “Following? What do you mean?”
Nisa nodded slowly. “I’ve been feeling it all along. I can feel it. His steps, his breathing. But every time I look back, there’s nothing.”
Silence. Only the rustling of the wind. Ardi looked at Reno with an annoyed look. "You're the one who invited us through here, so you're the one responsible. If anything happens..."
"Calm down," Reno interrupted quickly, though his voice was trembling. "We're in this together. Don't panic."
They continued walking. Their steps became increasingly difficult, as the forest grew denser, the path climbed steeper, and the sunlight slowly faded.
About thirty minutes later, they arrived at a small clearing. Strangely, there was a pile of stones resembling a miniature temple in the center. The stones were neatly arranged, as if they had been there for a long time.
Maya swallowed. "What is this...?"
Ardi stepped closer, his brow furrowed. "As far as I know, there's nothing like this on this mountain."
Reno stared curiously. "Maybe someone left behind. Like a hermitage."
Suddenly, Nisa shouted softly. "Don't touch it!"
Ardi, who was about to touch one of the stones, immediately turned his head. "Why?"
Nisa's face paled. "There was... a shadow of a person sitting there. Now he's standing. Watching you."
The atmosphere froze.
"Are you kidding?" Maya's voice trembled.
Nisa shook her head rapidly, her eyes welling with tears. "By God, I'm not lying. He's tall, thin, his clothes tattered. His eyes were empty. And he's... behind you now."
"Don't joke, Nisa," Maya's voice trembled, her face pale.
"I'm not joking!" Nisa almost cried. "He's behind Ardi! Don't look!"
Ardi turned his head spontaneously. And for some reason, it was as if the forest had swallowed the light. In an instant, the air around him felt bone-chillingly cold.
"I... didn't see anything," Ardi said, but his tone wavered. He quickly moved away from the pile of rocks.
Reno tried to reassure her, though his face was tense. "Come on, don't think too much about it. Nisa's probably exhausted. I'm sure it was just a hallucination."
Nisa glared at him. “Do you think I’m lying? I can feel his eyes watching us. He’s been watching us for a while!”
The wind rustled, carrying a faint sound, like a faint whisper. They’re coming… they’re coming… Maya immediately covered her ears. “Can you hear me? There’s whispering!”
Reno and Ardi looked at each other. Ardi gritted his teeth. “Damn, something’s really wrong here.”
The sky suddenly darkened even though the sun hadn’t completely set. A thick fog descended quickly, engulfing the trail.
“Reno, let’s turn back! I don’t want to continue this climb,” Ardi insisted.
“If we turn back now, we’ll get lost. The fog’s too thick,” Reno replied. He turned on his headlamp. The white light pierced the thin fog, but it only made the atmosphere even gloomier.
Nisa trembled. “Do you realize? The path has been straight all this time. We should have reached post three or returned to the main trail. But now… we’re just going in circles.”
Everyone fell silent. They only then realized that the open area with the pile of rocks was still the same. It was as if they were walking in circles, returning to their starting point.
Maya held Ardi's arm tightly. "We're not alone here."
Suddenly, a soft laugh could be heard from behind the fog. It was a child's voice. It was soft, but piercing.
"Hey..." the child's voice called out. "Come play with me!"
Nisa screamed hysterically. "That's a child's voice! Oh my God, I don't want to die here!"
Ardi quickly hugged Nisa. “Calm down! Don’t panic!”
Reno himself was pale. His hands were shaking as he held the flashlight. “Shit… this isn’t a hallucination anymore.”
From behind the fog, a small silhouette emerged. A girl with long hair, wearing tattered clothes covered in mud. Her head was lowered, her face invisible.
“Play with me…” her voice echoed, clearer.
Maya took a few steps back. “Reno, we have to escape!”
But before they could move, the girl lifted her head.
Her eyes were pitch black. Her mouth was crushed to her ears, smiling broadly. And behind her, the fog revealed a tall, thin figure in tattered clothes—the one Nisa had seen earlier.
To be continued