DEADLOCK [On Hold]

Prologue

The world is a vast place full of unknowns and uncertainties, and yet humans were never one to win over their curiosity, well, most people, at least.

"Klein, ano ka ba? Don't be such a wuss now. We all think it'll be epic!" Achilles beamed, grinning wildly as he held up the tripod, his excitement spilling over as they trekked deeper into the woods. The energy in his voice was infectious, but Klein felt a knot tightening in his stomach.

They had been hiking for hours, driven by the thrill of discovering that elusive place. The path was now illuminated only by the moonlight and their phone flashlights, casting eerie shadows on the trees surrounding them. Klein had a sinking feeling ever since they'd started. The adrenaline that once fueled his excitement was now fading, replaced by a gnawing sense of dread.

"Shut up, Aki. I'm just starting to think that is a stupid idea," Klein muttered, rubbing his temple, trying to dispel the worry gnawing at him.

Achilles' laughter broke the silence, but it felt wrong—too loud, too forced. It bounced off the trees and came back warped. "Kalma, Klein," he said, but the grin never reached his eyes. His voice cracked, like even he didn't believe what he was saying. "If something feels off, we'll head back. Promise."

Klein stared at him, his stomach knotting tighter with every word. The laughter felt hollow now, like the forest itself had swallowed it whole.

Every step felt heavier, like the forest itself was pushing back. The air thickened, wrapping around them like a suffocating fog. Their phones flickered, flashlights sputtering, throwing shadows that moved too fast—too erratic—like something just out of sight was waiting. Watching. The once vibrant camera feed grew pixelated, a visual manifestation of the anxiety building in Klein's chest.

"It's just the signal," he assured himself, but doubt crept in, whispering that something wasn't right.

"Nagloloko yata 'yong camera natin. It started recording on its own," Claire said, her voice laced with confusion as she inspected the equipment Achilles was holding.

The group exchanged glances, uncertainty swirling among them. "Baka naman napindot lang 'yong button?" Hans suggested, gesturing to the tripod.

"Eh? It's not even connected! The Bluetooth's still off. Look," Achilles said, pulling the tripod down so they could see for themselves. Sure enough, the connection icon was grayed out.

As they inspected the camera, a strange shiver ran down their spines. Despite having absolutely no signal, their phones vibrated in unison, a chilling synchrony. A blood-red glow illuminated their faces as a single message flashed across their screens, breaking the eerie stillness:

WELCOME TO DEADLOCK.

"What the hell?" The words barely escaped Klein's lips.

And then darkness swallowed them whole. Their phones died, flashlights too, leaving only the suffocating black. His pulse hammered in his ears, drowning the silence, as if the forest itself had vanished, leaving them... nowhere.

Panic surged through Klein as he fumbled for his friends, the silence around them now deafening. He felt Shiloh's hand grip his arm tightly, her voice trembling. "What's happening?" she whispered, fear lacing her words.

Achilles, ever the joker, stood still, his hands hanging limp at his sides. The flicker of the camera bathed his pale face in harsh red light, erasing the playful grin that usually never left. Klein glanced over, expecting some half-assed remark, anything to break the silence, but even Achilles had nothing left.

"Still think this is funny?" Klein's voice cut through the dark. Achilles didn't answer, just stared ahead, eyes wide and empty

"All of you, stay close. 'Wag kayong humiwalay."

They weren't the streamers anymore. They were the stream.

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〔 Whispered by Sin 〕
Author's Note.

This story contains mild to strong language, violence, and gore. Reader discretion is advised.

(The primary language used in this story is English, with some Filipino.)

This story is entirely fictional. Any similarities to real names, places, or events are purely coincidental.