guide moved slowly back toward the tent, clutching his shotgun tightly. Suddenly he heard a rustling in the bushes behind the tent. Turning sharply, he pointed the flashlight beam in that direction. A shadow flashed in the light of the flashlight.
Before he could take a step, something heavy came out of the darkness and knocked him to the ground. Jake fell, unconscious.
Mark, hearing the noise, flinched. He jumped to his feet, pointing the shotgun in the direction of the sound. But he saw nothing but impenetrable darkness. Panic came in waves, and he wanted to jump out of the tent and run for his life.
Suddenly something huge came crashing down on the tent, grabbing it with Mark. He felt himself being dragged along the ground. Struggling desperately, Mark tried to free himself, but in vain.
– Ahhhh!» he screamed, panicking and firing his shotgun.
The creature let go of him as suddenly as it had grabbed him. Mark lay on the ground, feeling pain throughout his body. The acrid smell of gunpowder stung his nostrils. He tried to get up, but couldn’t. There was pitch blackness all around.
Gathering his last strength, Mark decided to crawl to the fire. He clutched the knife, a gift from his brother Joseph. Every movement was painful, but he persevered.
When he was only a short distance from the fire, he heard heavy footsteps behind him. He turned around, but saw only a huge shadow looming over him. The next moment the world around him was dark.
Chapter 2: Ghosts of the Forest
Dawn had barely touched the horizon when Joseph opened his eyes. He rose slowly from the bed, stretched, and began his daily exercises. Each movement had been honed by years of practice, and his muscles responded obediently to the familiar strain.
Finished warming up, Joe walked over to the punching bag hanging in the corner of the room. The punches came one after another, rhythmic and precise. Sweat trickled down his face, but he didn’t stop, as if trying to beat out all the anxious thoughts.
After his workout, Joseph headed for the shower. The cool water washed away the fatigue, but couldn’t wash away the heaviness of the memories. After leaving the bathroom, he stopped in front of the mirror, staring at his reflection. His eyes betrayed a sleepless night and the weight of the past.
Walking down the hallway, Joe stared at the pictures hanging on the walls. Here were he and Mark, just boys, smiling for the camera. And here were their parents, happy and full of life. These pictures were all that was left of their old life.
Joseph sighed, remembering how he had to grow up overnight when his parents died in a car accident. He had been just over twenty and Mark had barely turned sixteen. Since that day, Joe had been both father, mother, and best friend to his brother.
Joseph’s musings were interrupted by the doorbell. On the doorstep stood his friend Alex.
– Hello, Joe. How are you? – Alex asked, looking at his friend carefully.
– Hello, Alex. Come in, – Joseph let his friend into the apartment.
They went to the kitchen, where Joe started making coffee. Alex sat down at the table, watching his friend’s movements.
– So, is today the day? – Alex asked cautiously. – Will you look at Mark’s pictures?
Joseph froze for a moment, then slowly turned to his friend:
– I’m glad the stuff was returned. But… I’m not ready yet.
Alex nodded:
– You know, Joe, I’ve noticed you’ve become calmer. You seem to be doing better than you were a year ago.
Joseph sat down across from his friend, wrapping his hands around his coffee cup:
– Maybe. But it’s not getting any easier.
– Look, Joe,“ Alex leaned forward, „you couldn’t have been there, no matter what happened. You can’t blame yourself forever. Mark was always an adventurer, it was impossible to keep him away.
Joseph raised his eyes to his friend:
– What do you think happened there, in the woods?
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