Echoes in the forest | Minsung

The Dark Descent

The forest was eerily quiet as Chan and Lee Know made their way back to the edge of the trees, their faces pale and drawn with worry. The moon hung high in the sky, casting long shadows that seemed to reach out like dark fingers, grasping at them as they ran. The adrenaline that had fueled their desperate flight was now fading, leaving only the cold grip of fear in its place.

Lee Know's thoughts were in turmoil, his mind replaying the last few minutes over and over again. The sound of Jisung's voice calling out, the scream that had ripped through the night, the terrifying realization that Jisung was no longer with them. It felt like his heart was being squeezed in a vice, the guilt and fear choking him as they stumbled back to the campsite.

"I should have gone back for him," Lee Know muttered, his voice strained and barely audible. His fists clenched at his sides, the knuckles white as he fought to keep his emotions in check. "I should have—"

"Don't," Chan interrupted, his voice firm but gentle. He placed a hand on Lee Know's shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly. "Don't blame yourself. There was nothing you could have done."

Lee Know shook his head, his eyes haunted. "But I left him, Chan. I left him behind."

Chan swallowed hard, trying to keep his own fear from showing. He knew that Lee Know was right, that Jisung had been lost in the darkness, and now they had no idea where he was—or if he was even still alive. But he couldn't afford to let Lee Know fall apart, not now. They needed to stay strong, to think clearly, if they were going to have any chance of finding Jisung.

"We'll find him," Chan said, his voice firm with determination. "But first, we need to tell the others what happened."

They reached the campsite, the fire now little more than a smoldering heap of ashes. Seungmin and Changbin were sitting near the dying embers, their faces illuminated by the faint glow. As soon as they saw Lee Know and Chan approaching, they scrambled to their feet, their expressions tense with worry.

"Where's Jisung?" Changbin asked, his voice tinged with panic as he looked around for their missing friend.

Lee Know's breath hitched in his throat, and he opened his mouth to speak, but the words wouldn't come. His chest felt tight, the guilt and fear pressing down on him like a weight.

"He's gone," Chan said quietly, his voice heavy with the truth. "We lost him in the forest."

Seungmin's eyes widened, his face draining of color. "What do you mean you lost him? What happened?"

"We were running from those men," Chan explained, his voice strained. "Jisung fell behind. We didn't realize it until it was too late. We tried to go back, but we couldn't find him."

Lee Know's voice trembled as he added, "They might have taken him."

The silence that followed was suffocating. The air seemed to grow colder, the shadows around them deepening as the reality of the situation settled over them like a heavy fog.

"We need to call my dad," Chan said finally, breaking the silence. His voice was resolute as he pulled out his phone. "He'll know what to do."

But when he dialed the number, his heart sank as the call went straight to voicemail. He tried again, and then again, each time with the same result.

"He's not answering," Chan muttered, frustration and fear lacing his words. He tried another number—his mother's phone—but it was the same. No answer.

"They must be working," Seungmin said, though his voice was uncertain. "Maybe they're in a place with no signal."

Chan shook his head, his brow furrowing. "I don't know. He always answers my calls, no matter what."