The Forest

Prologue

The bikes' gears rattled as they hit the cracks in the road, Kailey looked back to see everyone riding alongside and behind her. The sun was was getting brighter as it started to set.

"Here we go," Kailey mumbled to herself. They were on their way to West's house, and behind that house, was the entrance to The Forest.

This forest has always had a creepy backstory to it, all the deaths, failed experiments, and the fact anyone who has ever gone in hasn't came back.. Kailey didn't like to think about it. They were going to go into this forest to prove that they could come back, to prove that they all were brave. She couldn't afford to make herself afraid.

"Ugh, this trip is taking forever! It's going to be too dark to go if we don't hurry up!" A voice called from behind Kailey.

They're right Kailey thought, staring at the sun descending. If we didn't hurry up soon it would be too dark, she sped up.

"HEW-HECKIN-WO?!" West said opening his front door, he was wearing a purple hoodie, some jeans, and a big backpack.

"What's with the backpack?" Aster asked confused. "Oh, it's to carry snacks or survival things for the trip!" West responded.

"Wouldn't that make it suspicious? Isn't this trip supposed to be quick anyway?" Aster questioned again. "Um, I guess you're right, but what if there is an actual threat in there? We would be completely defenseless." West countered.

"I agree with West," Kailey announced in agreement, the others nodded. Kailey pulled out a pocket knife, her dad gave her this knife for emergencies only, but she felt like she would need it for this trip.

"Whoa, is that real?" Andi asked in awe, staring at Kailey's blade, everyone crowded around to see it. It made Kailey a little uncomfortable.

"Uh, it's nothing," Kailey said as she slipped the blade into her pocket, trying to make everyone stop staring at her.

"So, are we going? Or are we going to stare at a knife?" Kaya asked impatiently, eager to get going.

"You're right!" West said dropping his backpack on his couch, grabbing some kitchen knives, and a flashlight from his bag. He handed out a knife to everyone, Kailey didn't need it because she had her knife but she took one anyway.

"Ok! Let's go!" West announced, leading everyone to the entrance of the forest. "We should count to make sure everyone is here." West said counting everyone. "So we have Andi, Aster, Cheese, Kailey, Kaya, Kam, and me. Correct?" West said aloud making sure.

"Yep!" everyone responded excitedly.

Then they entered the forest.

The tall grass brushed against Kailey's legs as she trudged along behind West. The tall trees loomed over them shutting out any light from the sun. Not like there was much light from the setting sun anyway Kailey thought to herself.

West pulled out his flashlight and turned it on, it didn't do much against the fog. Wait since when did it become foggy? Kailey questioned to herself panicking a bit.

"It sure is dark huh." Kam said unenthusiastically, clearly regretting his decision to come. This didn't help the fact Kailey was panicking, it made it worse.

"We should turn back." Cheese said terrified, stopping.

"Come on! We came all this way, we can't chicken out now!" Kaya responded. "Uh, maybe we should," Kailey agreed with Cheese stopping, "there is something seriously wrong here."

Everyone stopped, that's when she heard a twig snap. Kailey turned to see everyone's nervous expressions turn to fear. Kailey heard a scream, and the flashlight dropped. "West!" Aster screamed as West disappeared into the shadows, everyone panicked, and took off running the way they came. Kailey stopped frozen, in shock that West was gone. That's when Andi grabbed her arm snapping her out of her trance, Andi pulled her away from the scene. Then they all ran to safety.

And that was the last time they ever heard from West.