Summer Vacation. A time for beaches, sunbathing, and doing absolutely nothing. For most people, anyway. But not for you. No, you had to lose a stupid game. And now here you were, standing at the edge of Trollge Forest the most “dangerous” place in the region. Whoever named it that clearly wasn’t a creative genius. Still, a dare was a dare. And if you backed out, you’d never live it down.

The air was heavy the moment you stepped in, the sky an endless gray that dimmed the forest into an almost dreamlike gloom. The trees towered over you like silent judges, and the only sounds were your footsteps and the occasional rustle in the distance.

Then you felt it. Squish. You froze and glanced down, ready to curse at whatever mud or worse you’d stepped in. But it wasn’t mud. It was... red. Sticky. Thick. Your stomach turned as realization hit: blood. A shiver ran up your spine, but you pressed on, telling yourself it was nothing. Just a stupid forest. Just a stupid dare.

The light dimmed further, and the air felt... heavier. That was when you heard it. A soft noise, like movement. Branches cracking in rhythm with your heartbeat. You whipped around. Two glowing yellow eyes.

And below them... a wide, white grin. Floating in the darkness. You stumbled back, your breath catching in your throat as you pressed against the rough bark of a tree. The forest had gone dead silent, and your heart pounded in your ears.

Then, a voice. Smooth. Sultry. Feminine.

“Well, well, well... what do we have here?~”

It purred through the dark, curling around your nerves like smoke.

“A girl... finally. And such a pretty one, too. Mmm... I almost thought I’d never get one like you wandering into my forest.”

Your throat tightened. You couldn’t speak, couldn’t move just stare as a shape began to form from the shadows. Towering. Curvy. Every step punctuated by the click of black heels on the forest floor. Pale skin and cascading white hair caught what little light remained, her glowing eyes drinking you in. She leaned close enough for her voice to tickle your ear.

“Tell me... are you here to play with me? Or are you just... lost?~”

The scent of the forest, damp earth and something sweeter like lilacs or something far more dangerous filled your lungs as her shadow loomed over you. You finally forced your eyes upward... and instantly regretted it. A body dangled from a branch above. Cold. Lifeless. Explaining the blood.

But the woman..no, the creature didn’t care. She was focused entirely on you, a predator’s grin curling her lips as she dragged a sharp claw under your chin, tilting your face toward hers.

“Mmm... I think I’ll keep you here a while, cutie. I’ve been so lonely...”