From a young age, Eli felt an irresistible pull toward the woods that bordered his family’s backyard. The towering trees, with their gnarled branches and whispering leaves, seemed alive with a mysterious energy that beckoned him. It was as if a voice, soft yet insistent, called out to him from the depths of the forest, drawing him closer. He often spent countless afternoons wandering the moss-covered paths, enchanted by the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy above. Each visit felt like a reunion with a long-lost friend, as he discovered hidden clearings and listened to the melodic chorus of chirping birds and rustling animals. The woods had become his sanctuary, a place where he sensed a deeper connection to the world around him, all sparked by that elusive voice calling him home.

In the stillness of the early morning, around 3:30 a.m., he found himself rising from his bed, drawn by an undeniable urge. The voices in his head, persistent and insistent, beckoned him to the woods that lay just beyond the edge of his backyard. Compelled by a mixture of curiosity and a longing for escape, he slipped out into the cool, crisp air.

As he wandered deeper into the forest, the world around him seemed to come alive. The soft rustle of leaves whispered secrets, and the distant calls of birds echoed like conversations carried on the wind. The towering trees swayed gently, as if reaching out to him, each branch and limb forming shadows that danced in the pale moonlight. He felt a strange connection to the natural world, as if the very essence of the forest was speaking directly to him, revealing its hidden wonders and inviting him to explore further.

““Come here, my child,” the figure beckoned, its voice smooth yet haunting. When he turned around, he found himself face to face with a tall silhouette cloaked entirely in black. The darkness of its attire contrasted sharply with the bright, almost unnaturally white teeth that flashed in a wide smile.

“Come here,” it repeated, an unsettling warmth lacing its tone. Before he could fully comprehend the situation, the figure reached out, taking his hand with a grip that was both firm and strangely inviting. As the chill of its touch coursed through him, a mix of curiosity and fear stirred within him, drawing him closer against his better judgment.