Nights In Livik

PART VIII

The thrill of seeing Skorp and Pookie's faces ignited a rush of emotions within me. I couldn't shake off the giddiness that enveloped me each time I thought about that picture. It was strange—these were just two boys I had met in a virtual world, yet seeing them in the flesh made everything feel so much more real. My heart raced as I replayed the image in my mind, scrutinizing every detail, every expression.

Days passed, and my bond with the boys deepened. Yet, there was an unsettling feeling gnawing at the edges of my excitement. I couldn't ignore the whispers that echoed in my mind—what if the real-world dynamics shattered the comfort we had built online?

Then, one fateful evening, as I logged into PUBG, the screen flickered ominously before settling into a normal view. The match was unusually silent. No banter, no laughter—just an eerie calmness that felt almost unsettling. I brushed it off at first, thinking maybe Skorp was simply in one of his moods again. But the silence grew heavier, pressing down on my chest.

“Where is everyone?” I typed into the chat, my fingers hovering nervously over the keyboard.

A few moments later, Pookie logged on. His usual cheerful self seemed clouded. “Hey, did you hear about the weird thing happening in Livik?” he asked, his tone oddly serious.

“What do you mean?” I replied, curiosity piqued.

“There have been reports of strange shadows moving in the woods near the quarry. Some players are saying they’ve seen figures lurking just out of sight. It’s freaked a few people out,” he said, a hint of unease creeping into his voice.

My heart skipped a beat. My mind raced back to the stories I had heard about haunted spots in the game, but they had always felt like mere rumors. “Is it true? Have you seen anything?”

Pookie hesitated, glancing around the virtual environment as if expecting something to jump out at him. “No, but I’ve been getting these weird vibes when I play there. Like… like someone’s watching.”

Just then, Skorp joined, his entrance jolting me. “What’s this about shadows?” he asked, his voice low and serious.

The atmosphere shifted. The once friendly lobby felt charged with tension, as if the very air had thickened. I looked at both of them, the comfort of our usual banter replaced with an ominous curiosity. “Pookie says there are strange shadows near the quarry.”

Skorp frowned, his brows furrowing. “Let’s check it out.”

“Are you serious?” Pookie’s voice held a mix of excitement and apprehension.

“Yeah, let’s see if it’s just a bunch of scared players or something more,” Skorp said, determination in his voice.

We launched into a match, the three of us, hearts pounding in sync with the thrill of the unknown. As we dropped into Livik, the landscape felt different—darker, more foreboding. The trees loomed like silent sentinels, casting elongated shadows that danced unnaturally in the dying light.

As we approached the quarry, the atmosphere grew thicker. I could sense the unease in my teammates. “Stay close,” Skorp commanded, his voice steady but strained.

“Is it just me, or does it feel… off?” I whispered, my pulse quickening.

“Definitely off,” Pookie replied, his eyes scanning the horizon.

Suddenly, a figure darted through the trees—a fleeting shadow barely noticeable against the dimming landscape. “Did you see that?” I gasped.

“Yeah,” Skorp confirmed, his voice tense. “We need to move—now.”

We raced toward the figure, adrenaline coursing through our veins. Every sound was amplified; every rustle of leaves sent shivers down my spine. The quarry loomed ahead, and the shadows danced menacingly.

As we drew closer, the shadows seemed to multiply, flickering just out of reach. I could feel my heart pounding in my ears. “What is going on?” I shouted, but my voice was swallowed by the encroaching darkness.

Before we could comprehend what was happening, a chilling laugh echoed through the air, sending a wave of dread through us.