⚠️ Warning
This story contains intense horror, death, and psychological terror. Recommended for mature readers only.
—
In New York City.
The apartment was louder than usual.
Six friends, finally done with exams, crowded into Sarah's living room. Pizza boxes were open, soda cans scattered across the table, and someone had turned the music up just a little too high.
Liam threw himself onto the couch. "Alright. New case. Bigger than the last one."
Ethan raised a brow. "Bigger than the 'possessed' motel?"
"That was mold," Sarah said without looking up from her laptop. "And bad plumbing."
Mia laughed. "And don't forget the 'demonic footsteps' that turned out to be raccoons."
Noah smirked. "Still disappointed we didn't get at least one ghost."
"There are no ghosts," Sarah replied calmly. "Just people who want something to be haunted."
Ava grabbed the remote and flipped on the TV. "Let's see if the universe disagrees with you."
The news channel came on mid-broadcast.
"…three tourists have died in a rural village in Northern California," the anchor said. "Authorities state there were no visible signs of violence. Investigations are ongoing."
Liam sat up straighter. "Tourists?"
The screen cut to a field reporter standing near a quiet village road surrounded by tall trees. The houses behind her looked old but lived-in.
"We're here in Redwood Hollow," the reporter said. "Locals say in this village never deaths like this happened before. But recently, visitors have died under unexplained circumstances."
She turned to an elderly man beside her.
"Did you notice anything unusual?" she asked.
The man shook his head slowly. "We told them not to go out after nightfall."
"Why not?" the reporter asked.
"It's safer inside," he replied simply.
The camera shifted to an older woman wrapped in a shawl.
"We warned them," she said. "When the sky turns black, stay where you are. Lock your doors. But they didn't listen."
"Are you saying something happens at night?" the reporter asked.
The woman didn't answer right away. She glanced toward the trees.
"We've lived here long enough to know." she said finally.
The segment ended.
Silence filled the apartment for exactly two seconds.
Then—
"Oh, this is perfect," Mia said, practically glowing with excitement.
Liam grinned. "Small village. Tourists dying. Superstitious warnings. I love it already."
Ethan leaned forward. "No signs of violence? That's interesting."
Noah folded his arms. "Northern California is a long drive."
Ava's eyes lit up. "Road trip."
All eyes turned to Sarah.
She stared at the paused image of the village on the TV. Quiet streets. Tall forest. Nothing dramatic. Nothing supernatural.
Just fear.
She stood slowly.
"This," she said, pointing at the screen, "is exactly how rumors start."
Mia crossed her arms playfully. "You're thinking what I'm thinking."
"That they blamed the night instead of logic?" Sarah replied.
Liam grinned. "You want to go."
Sarah's lips curved slightly. "Three unexplained deaths. No evidence. Just 'don't go outside after dark.'"
Ethan smirked. "You hate that."
"I do," she admitted. "Because there's always a reason."
Noah raised a brow. "So we're driving across the country to prove villagers wrong?"
Sarah looked around at all of them — her team, her chaos, her people.
"Yes," she said firmly. "We're going."
Mia clapped once. "Finally! A case that doesn't involve broken elevators or stray cats."
Ava laughed. "Imagine if this turns out to be our biggest investigation."
"It will," Liam said confidently.
Sarah grabbed the remote and turned off the TV.
"Pack tonight," she said. "We will leave tomorrow."
That was all it took.
Excitement exploded through the apartment. Liam immediately started arguing about playlists for the road. Mia and Ava debated snacks. Ethan claimed he was the best driver. Noah insisted on mapping the fastest route.
Voices overlapped. Laughter echoed against the walls. Backpacks were dragged out of closets. Chargers, cameras, and flashlights were piled onto the table.
Six friends.
One road trip.
One mystery waiting to be solved.
Their laughter drowned out everything else.
But somewhere beyond the stretch of highways and endless roads, a village wrapped in redwood shadows waited quietly.
As if it already knew they were coming.