The Secret of Dark Forest

Lurk

Black was gone, leaving him alone, hidden behind the bush. White desperately wanted to follow his brother, but he understood why Black didn't want him with him. It was easier to check the situation alone. White plopped on the ground, clutching Black's backpack to his chest. He heard shouting from the direction his twin disappeared. He took a deep breath, trying to think about something else. He let his eyes scan the trees surrounding him. This forest belonged to Tawi. He bought it ten years ago. According to old newspaper articles, he wanted to create a protected area for wild animals and plants and open it to visitors. The project stopped when the nearby factory caught fire and the dangerous substances they stored there leaked into the soil. The area had to be closed, and no one was allowed inside. Hence the brick wall and electric fence. Five years later, Dark Forest opened for the Hunt game. No one knew how Tawi got permission from the government, but it happened, and White was sure it wasn't in a legal way. 

The biologists occasionally got approval to enter to examine local flora and fauna, but nothing uncommon appeared in their reports. Honestly, White had a feeling the toxins could have affected the life in the forest. What if mutant frogs are lurking around? White shivered with that thought. He didn't like frogs. 

The branch breaking nearby made him jump. White attempted to make himself smaller, to hide behind Black's backpack.

"White, we need to go. Hurry." Black whispered, taking the backpack and sliding it on his back. 

"What happened?" White's heart beat against his chest in a wild rhythm. 

"Nothing good." Black hissed, urging him forward. 

"I will tell you later. Now go and stay quiet." Black ended the conversation. White didn't like his twin's expression, but he followed his instructions. Something must have happened back there.