Chapter 3: Hide in the Clearing

The clearing feels deceptively peaceful, but the air around you crackles with unseen tension. You crouch low behind the twisted roots of a tree, its gnarled branches forming a protective canopy above. The glowing compass in your hand dims slightly, as though trying to conceal its presence.

Shadows shift at the edge of the clearing, their movements deliberate and searching. You hold your breath, trying to quiet the sound of your heartbeat as it pounds in your ears. The forest seems to watch and wait, its silence amplifying the feeling of being hunted.

A faint voice echoes in your mind, steady and calm:

“Hiding can bring clarity, but it is not without risk. What you fear seeks you, but perhaps you need not run. The choice is yours.”

You tighten your grip on the compass, knowing you must act. What will you do?

A shadowed clearing surrounded by dense trees, with faint light peeking through and a figure hiding among the roots

What path will you take?

Step out and confront the shadows. Wait quietly and observe what happens. Make a run for it and leave the clearing.