Chapter 2: The Stranger in the Woods
The next day, Lena ventured into the woods surrounding Grey Hollow. The trees were thick, their twisted branches blocking out most of the sunlight. The deeper she went, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. The silence was deafening, broken only by the occasional rustling of leaves or distant snapping of twigs. It was too quiet.
After hours of walking, Lena stumbled upon an old cemetery, its gravestones barely visible under layers of moss and overgrown vines. As she knelt to inspect one of the stones, she noticed something strange. The dates on the gravestones were old—too old—but there were names she recognized. Names from the town's forgotten history, names of people who were supposed to be long dead.
Suddenly, she heard a voice behind her.
"You shouldn't be here."
Lena spun around, her heart leaping into her throat. A man stood there, his features hidden beneath the hood of his tattered cloak. His eyes were shadowed, but she could feel his gaze piercing through her. His voice was hoarse, like he hadn’t spoken in years.
"Why?" Lena asked, her pulse quickening.
The man stepped closer, his presence unnerving. "Because Grey Hollow doesn’t let people leave. Once you’re here, you’re part of it. There’s no escaping."
Before Lena could ask more, the man turned and disappeared into the woods, leaving behind only the echo of his warning.
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