haunted, the forest // nct [3]

{12}

     "You're telling me we have no way of contacting them?" Johnny questioned as Jisoo held her malfunctioning phone as far away from her as possible.

     "Hey, these ghosts aren't playing around," Vernon told Johnny. He swung his bag around to the front and began searching through it. "The spirits want us to be separated so we're in smaller numbers. We're less threatening that way."

     Daerin frowned and tightened her arms around herself. She obviously was having a hard time being away from Taeyong. Johnny walked over and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

     Vernon pulled something out of his bag and turned it on. The flashlight brightened their surroundings. Lucas blinked a couple times from the light shining directly in his eyes.

     "Thank god you're a genius," Jisoo exhaled. "If I were to be stuck in a hella messed up forest with anyone, it would be you."

     "Thanks, but I'm really not that much of an expert," Vernon told her. "I just do a lot of research and sometimes I call myself a ghost expert. I'm actually far from knowing everything."

     "You know who probably knows what to do?" Lucas asked the group. "Jihwan. We probably aren't going to survive without her common sense. Not to be Kun or anything, but she's like the Hermione of common sense."

     "And Taeyong would keep us from getting stressed out," Daerin added, looking down at her black and white Converse shoes. "He knows how to comfort us."

     "And Ten..." Johnny started. "Well, he would be here." He briefly pressed his lips together. "I still love him so goddamn much."

     "We have to continue on if we're going to find a way out or come into contact with the others," Jisoo told the group. "I personally think we should have a buddy system." She immediately linked her arm with Vernon. "I guess I'll be your buddy, Vernon."

    "The buddy system isn't going to work right now," Johnny informed her. "There are five of us, so someone would be left out. Let's just all walk together and not get separated."

     Vernon nodded in agreement. "Our new missions is to find a way out. Then, we can report to the police that there are missing people. That leads to more numbers to search because the college will almost get involved."

     "Wow, you're so smart," Jisoo complimented. "That's why agreed to being your buddy."

     "But you..." Vernon trailed off. "Never mind."

X X X

"Yuta, I swear, if I feel you breathe on my neck one more time," Taeil gritted his teeth as he spoke, "I'm going to leave you behind."

"You're the one breathing on my neck, you moldy bottle," Yuta growled.

"Moldy bottle?" Kun questioned. "You both are ridiculous! Just as annoying as a crying Mandrake. If I hear you argue one more time, I'm feeding you both to the ghosts."

"I'll calm down when Taeil stops breathing," Yuta said bitterly.

     "The ghosts won't even need to attack you two," WinWin scoffed. "You'll end up killing each other before they get the chance."

     "Can you seriously not get along when we're in a haunted forest and could possibly die?" Kun shot a glare full of daggers at the two.

     Taeil suddenly jumped with a squeak. "What the hell is wrong with you?" he roared at Yuta.

"I didn't do anything," Yuta eyed Taeil with confusion.

"You pinched my side." Taeil put a hand over the spot he could've sworn Yuta pinched.

"What was that?!" WinWin exclaimed, pointing passed them.

Kun, Yuta, and Taeil spun their heads in the direction WinWin pointed. All they saw was the slight movement of the weeds, as if something just brushed by it.

"I don't like this," WinWin whined.

Taeil's angry expression dropped and was replaced by fear. "What if whatever that was is the thing that pinched me?"

     "Can we run or something?" WinWin pulled on Kun's sleeve in worry. "What if it's still right over there?"

     From their left, a rustling sound caused them all to jump simultaneously. However, there was nothing in sight.

"I don't think your stupid expecto patronum spells are going to help us now—," Yuta started to say.

     "They're not fucking dementors, you dipshit!" Kun grabbed onto WinWin and started to run off in one direction. "You two better keep up because we're getting out of here."

     Taeil and Yuta chased after Kun and WinWin, running faster than they ever had before. They didn't bother with the scratches the branches were leaving on their faces, they just wanted to get out on the area.

     Kun briefly glanced back at Yuta and Taeil, but as soon as he turned back around, he collided with another body. Kun and WinWin fell to ground as Taeil and Yuta came to a stop.

     "Ouch," the figure put a hand on their head that hit Kun. "What the..."

     Yuta took a step closer, his eyes widening.

     "Jungwoo, is that you?"