Lost In Tomorrow

Chapter 6: Paths Unveiled

The group gathered around the makeshift shelter, the fire's soft glow casting shadows across their faces. They sat in a circle, weary but alive with the stories of their journeys through the dangerous jungles. Ryder was the first to break the silence.

"So, who's starting?" he said with a grin, poking the fire with a stick. "I feel mine and Chloe's adventure will sound like a walk in the park compared to yours."

Damian, always the organizer, glanced around. "Let's go in order. We'll start with Leo since he had to venture into the western jungle alone. What did you find?"

Leo shifted in his seat, crossing his arms. "I found a Lab."

The group collectively tensed, even Ryder stopped fiddling with the fire.

Leo continued, his voice steady but serious. "I didn't go inside, but I got a good look from the outside. The building is large and abandoned for a long time, but it's intact. There were signs of... something. I couldn't tell what, but the place has a history."

Alph leaned forward, intrigued. "Did you see any creatures or traps around it?"

"None. But I didn't stay long enough to check closely. Something about it felt... off. I think it's worth exploring though."

Ryder cut in with a smirk, "Off? Like spooky movie off, or more like, 'Don't go in there, you'll regret it' off?"

Leo chuckled softly, "Let's say, more like 'enter at your own risk.' It's not exactly the most welcoming place."

"Sounds like my kind of place," Damian muttered under his breath, before nodding. "Good. The Lab might hold answers. We'll need to get inside."

Sophie frowned slightly. "But why didn't you check it out further? Was it too dangerous?"

Leo shook his head. "Not exactly. I just... thought it was better to regroup first. Whatever is in there, we should face it together."

Damian gave a curt nod. "We will. We'll plan that out soon."

He turned to Alph and Elena next. "You two went east, right? The foggy jungle?"

Alph nodded, his face calm and focused as always. "Yeah, it was thick with mist, barely able to see ten feet in front of us most of the time."

Elena added, "The terrain was tricky, too. Slippery and uneven. But we didn't run into anything that felt like a direct threat."

"It was more of a test of patience than danger," Alph said. "We found a few old pathways-looked man-made, but they were overgrown. We might be able to use them if we need to go back that way."

Elena sighed, her hand absently playing with a strand of hair. "Honestly, the most frustrating part was just the constant mist. It messes with your head after a while. You start feeling like you're going in circles."

Ryder chimed in, smirking. "Sounds like a great place for a romantic getaway."

Elena shot him a deadpan look. "Only if you're into getting lost and freezing."

"Hey, some people are into that," Ryder winked.

Chloe giggled, nudging him to the side. "Speak for yourself."

Damian rolled his eyes slightly but smiled. "Alright, let's stay focused. You two didn't find any creatures or signs of something living out there?"

Alph shook his head. "Nothing. Just endless fog and silence."

Damian looked thoughtful. "Good to know. That leaves Ryder and Chloe. How was the southern jungle?"

Ryder grinned. "Piece of cake. The weather was nice, no creatures in sight, and we got to enjoy a nice stroll through the trees."