Truth or Dare... and Die

Chapter 2

My mind starts pondering the memories of our childhood. Clara, Dylan, and Charity. We've known them since 2nd grade. I remember us sitting together in the clearing outside the prison, playing truth or dare. Cody was sick that day, but I'll never forget how much fun we had, not knowing the darkness to come.

"Clara!" I shout, "Dylan and Charity, do you hear me?!" I exclaim. "Cody, we have to do something, fast," I whisper. They wave us over and put their fingers to their mouths in a shush motion. I'm astonished by how petrified their faces look. It's as if they almost saw their lives flash before their faces. They signal to us and point towards the gate, and we see a small but noticeable gap between the support beams next to the sealed gate. They follow us quietly and Clara softly whispers in my ear, "we must go back, we don't have a choice."

We crawl through a gap between the support beams by the side of the gate because it's locked. We see a plentiful array of beautiful pine wood trees decorating the entrance of the guarded forest.

"I'm a little shaken by this, but is everyone okay, are you guys sure about going here?" I ask with hesitation. "I feel like it's time that we do what we've always talked about as kids, we have to face our fears one day, right?" Dylan declares, "I mean, I guess you're right, I just have a really unsure feeling about this". Cody gently puts his hand on my shoulder; "Niah, we have to grow up sometime, and I'll be here with you every step of the way," he warmly says to me. "Thank you Cody," I say.

"No problemo, bud" he says while grinning. We cautiously trek forward on the rocky straight trail embroidered with a path of solemn pine trees and signs that say "no trespassing." We all shake with continuous jittery motions due to the cold wind breeze kicking in from the chilly night. "Where exactly are we headed you guys?"

"Keep walking straight on this path and we should reach our tent that we set up for you, and Cody." Charity states, "Our mission tonight is to find some clues to reach the hidden prison in these woods, and lastly, we don't want anyone to suspect us intruding in any way", she adds. "I understand," I reply.

We head to the encampment and discover something that is strangely off about the area.