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"Some places feel like they’re waiting for something to happen."
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Jungkook stared out of the window, watching the trees blur past. They had entered the forest about half an hour ago, and something about the place felt... different. It wasn’t the usual calmness he associated with nature—it was as though the air itself was charged, like the forest was holding its breath.
He shook his head, brushing off the thought. They were just here for a camping trip, nothing more.
“Are we seriously gonna stay the night here?” Hoseok’s voice broke through Jungkook’s thoughts. He was sitting in the passenger seat, anxiously tapping his fingers against the dashboard. “This place gives me the creeps already.”
Jimin, who was sprawled out in the backseat next to Jungkook, smirked. “What’s wrong, Hobi? Scared of a few trees?”
Yoongi, behind the wheel, chuckled. “I didn’t think it’d start this early. We haven’t even parked yet.”
“I’m just saying,” Hoseok defended himself, crossing his arms. “There’s something about this forest, man. It feels... off.”
Jungkook didn’t say anything, but he couldn’t deny he was feeling the same thing. Except it wasn’t fear exactly—more like a strange sensation that settled in his chest, unfamiliar and persistent. He’d never felt like this before, not even during other camping trips. Something about this forest felt different.
“Nah, it’s all in your head,” Jimin said with a laugh, leaning forward to poke Hoseok. “You always get like this before we go camping. It’s tradition at this point.”
Hoseok slapped his hand away. “Hey, I like camping. I just prefer camping where, you know, I don’t feel like something’s watching me.”
“That’s because you’ve been watching too many horror movies,” Yoongi said, his eyes on the narrow road ahead as it wound deeper into the trees. “You’re gonna freak yourself out for no reason.”
“Or... maybe there’s a reason,” Hoseok said, glancing warily out the window.
Jungkook couldn’t help but smirk at that. “If we get murdered out here, at least we’ll know who called it first.”
“Oh, great, now you too?” Hoseok groaned, sinking back into his seat. “You were supposed to be on my side.”
“Nah, I’m just here for the ride,” Jungkook said, his eyes still focused on the looming trees. As they drove deeper into the forest, that eerie sensation crept back into his mind. It was like the forest was waiting for something, but he couldn’t tell what.
“Anyway,” Jimin cut in, trying to lighten the mood, “when we get there, we should divide up the chores. Last time, Yoongi got out of everything.”
“I was setting up the tents!” Yoongi protested. “That counts.”
Jungkook snorted. “If lying down and pretending to help counts, sure.”
Yoongi rolled his eyes. “Okay, fine. How about this time I’ll set up the fire, Jimin can handle the food, and Hobi can... run screaming from imaginary ghosts.”
Hoseok shot him a look. “Very funny. What about you, Jungkook?”
“I’ll collect firewood,” Jungkook offered. “I need some fresh air after being stuck in the car with you guys.”
“Ah, brave as always,” Jimin teased, but there was a glint of mischief in his eyes. “You sure you don’t want a buddy to go with you? You know, just in case...”
“In case what?” Jungkook asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Oh, you know,” Jimin leaned closer, lowering his voice dramatically, “in case something’s out there. Watching.”
Yoongi chuckled. “You two are impossible.”
Hoseok, however, paled a little. “Can you guys not? This place is weird enough without your creepy ghost jokes.”
“Ghost jokes?” Jimin feigned innocence. “Who said anything about ghosts?”
Jungkook grinned, but the momentary humor didn’t fully shake the strange heaviness in his chest. He stared out the window again, letting the sound of their voices fade into the background. The trees seemed darker here, their branches twisting together like they were blocking out the sky. The light barely made it through the thick canopy overhead.
He’d camped plenty of times before, but this was the first time he felt this... unsettled. Something about the forest seemed alive, as though it had been waiting for them, waiting for something to happen.
“Alright, we’re almost there,” Yoongi said, breaking the silence as the car finally slowed down, pulling off onto a dirt clearing.
As Jeongguk, Yoongi, Jimin, and Hoseok stepped out of the car, the dense forest loomed around them. The towering trees seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky, their thick branches weaving together like an impenetrable fortress. The campsite itself was nestled in a clearing, bathed in the bright light of the afternoon, with shadows creeping slowly along the ground.
“This place looks… intense,” Jimin muttered, eyes scanning the surroundings with a mix of awe and excitement. “It’s like we’re in a different world.”
Hoseok nodded, though his nervous energy was apparent. “Yeah, but it’s kinda cool, right?”
Suddenly, a loud crack echoed through the trees—like a branch snapping or something heavier moving through the undergrowth. Hoseok flinched violently, nearly stumbling back as he whipped around to face the source of the noise. His face paled as his eyes darted to the dark forest. “W-What the hell was that?”
The others paused, exchanging glances, but Yoongi just smirked lazily. “Relax, Hobi, it’s probably just the wind. Or a raccoon. A really big one.”
Jimin laughed, walking over and slinging an arm around Hoseok’s shoulders. “Or maybe the forest just has a thing for you, hyung. You know, it’s been a while since something’s come after you.” He winked mischievously, the double meaning hanging in the air.
Jeongguk stifled a snort, leaning against the car with amusement. “Yeah, Hoseok-hyung, seems like the trees have eyes for you.”
Hoseok groaned, brushing Jimin off, trying to play it cool. “You guys are the worst,” he muttered, but there was still an anxious glance at the forest.
Shaking off the moment, they returned to unloading their gear, setting up the tents as the shadows deepened around them. Jeongguk grabbed his phone and headed toward the forest.
“I’m gonna get some wood for the fire,” he said, flashing a confident grin.
Jimin smirked as he watched Jeongguk head toward the forest. “Be careful, Jeongguk. The forest might decide to come after you next.”
Jeongguk just rolled his eyes, but as he stepped into the dense forest, that eerie feeling returned—stronger this time, wrapping around him like a heavy fog. He told himself it was just his imagination. Just the thrill of being somewhere new.
Still, the thought wouldn’t leave him.
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"The forest exhaled a chilling breath, as if the darkness itself was stirring, eager for the night to claim its secrets."
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YOU ARE READING
Echoes In The Wood|| Taekook|✓
Fanfiction"ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ᴍᴇᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇᴇᴛ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴏɴᴄᴇ" Jeongguk, lost and injured in a mysterious forest, encounters Taehyung, a strange boy with a haunting presence. As they navigate the eerie woods together, the boundaries between reality and the unknown blur...
