shadows of the lost city (3)

It wasn’t just the absence of sound; it was the feeling that the forest itself was watching them, its canopy dark and oppressive, blocking out the sun. By the third day, the first of the creatures appeared.

At first, it was just a shadow, darting through the undergrowth, too quick to see clearly. Jackson caught it in the corner of his eye but said nothing, unsure if his mind was playing tricks on him.

That night, as they set up camp, the feeling of being watched grew more intense. “You feel it too?” Grace asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Jackson nodded. “We’re not alone out here.” The others had noticed it as well.