The Abyss

Liam and Ben had been friends since they were little, always exploring the woods behind their neighbourhood. Today was no different, except the sun was sinking faster than usual and the air felt colder, heavier, but neither of them wanted to seem scared, so they went on walking towards the middle of the darkening woods on.

"Do you hear that?" – Ben whispered, eyes wide with fear. There was a faint rumble beneath their feet, like the earth was groaning.

"Stop trying to freak me out" – Liam chuckled, but his voice was shaky.

Suddenly, the ground gave way. With a sharp cry, Ben slipped, his foot catching on a root. Liam spun around just in time to see his friend tumble backward. Ben’s scream echoed as he plummeted into a gaping abyss that had appeared beneath them.

"BEN!" – Liam screamed, rushing to the edge. He could see nothing below but deep and endless darkness.

His heart pounded so loudly it drowned out all other sounds. His breath hitched, his chest tight. He fell to his knees, staring into the black hole where his best friend had vanished. Sweat dripped down his forehead, mixing with the tears that had begun to pool in his eyes.

"Ben...?" – His voice was barely a whisper, as if saying his name any louder would confirm the worst.

There was no reply. Just silence.

Panic surged through Liam, his body frozen. His throat felt like it was closing, and his legs refused to move. He wanted to scream again, to call for help, but nothing came out. His entire body trembled, and his vision blurred as fear took over.

He tried to inch closer to the edge, desperate to see something—anything—but terror gripped him tight. What if he fell too? What if the earth opened up again and swallowed him whole, just like it had done to Ben?

The woods were too quiet. The usual sounds of birds or rustling leaves were gone, replaced by an eerie stillness that seemed to swallow every sound. Liam’s mind raced, filled with visions of Ben falling forever, lost in the darkness. His hands shook violently, and his heart felt like it might burst from his chest.

"Ben..." – he whispered again, but his voice cracked. He was alone. Completely alone.