𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐲𝐬𝐭

Part 34

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POV AUTHOR

The laughter faded as quickly as it had come, leaving an unsettling stillness in its wake. Tarun’s flashlight flickered again, casting strange shadows that seemed to writhe and stretch with the rustling leaves. He stood frozen, his breaths coming in short, sharp bursts. "Tara?" he called out, his voice barely above a whisper.

A rustling noise behind him made him spin around, his flashlight trembling in his grip. But it was only Rohan and Shivi, their faces pale and glistening with sweat as they stumbled back to him.

“We couldn’t find her,” Shivi gasped, her voice shaking. “It’s like she just... vanished.”

“Vanished?” Tarun snapped, his frustration spilling over. “She couldn’t have just disappeared! She’s probably playing some stupid joke—”

Before he could finish, the sound of faint humming drifted through the trees. It was a haunting melody, soft and slow, like an old lullaby that had no business being sung in a jungle.

Everyone froze.

“That’s... that’s Tara’s voice,” Shivi whispered, her eyes wide as saucers.

Without waiting for the others, Tarun took off toward the sound, his steps quick and unrelenting. The rest of the group hesitated, exchanging terrified looks, but eventually followed. Rohan grabbed a stick from the ground—his flimsy attempt at defense.

The humming grew louder as they pushed deeper into the jungle. The air grew heavy, the darkness thicker, and the trees seemed to huddle closer together, their branches clawing at the group like outstretched fingers. Then, suddenly, the trees gave way to a small clearing.

There she was.

Tara stood in the middle of the clearing, her back to them. Her hair was tangled, and her shoulders slumped as though she were carrying some invisible burden.

“Tara!” Tarun called out, relief flooding his voice. He moved toward her in long, determined strides.

But the closer he got, the more uneasy he felt.

“Tara?” he repeated, slowing his pace. “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

She didn’t move.

The others held back, their nerves frayed. “Why isn’t she responding?” Rohan whispered, clutching his stick tighter.

Shivi tried. “Tara?” she called, her voice trembling.

Slowly, Tara turned.

Her face was pale, almost glowing in the dim light, and her wide, unblinking eyes were fixed on Tarun. A smile stretched across her lips, unnaturally wide and strange.

“Why are you here?” she asked softly, her voice calm but cold enough to chill them to the bone.

Tarun’s breath caught in his throat. “What do you mean? We’ve been looking for you! Are you okay?”

She tilted her head to the side, her smile unwavering. “I’m fine,” she said, though her voice sounded hollow, as if it came from someone—or something—else entirely. “But... they’re not.”

“They?” Shivi asked cautiously, taking a step back.

Tara’s gaze drifted to the trees, her smile fading just slightly. “The ones who stay here,” she murmured. “They don’t like it when outsiders come.”