My last year of school… It’s flying by faster than I expected. Well, I did the transfer with less than half a school year left. Thinking of the future I can’t see anything. It’s like I’m gonna be stepping into darkness. And then there’s mom’s condition. I just hope she’s doing what she’s supposed to. He thinks as he walks up the steps to the house. Opening the door to the house, he spots his mother lying on the couch, in her pajamas.

“Welcome back!” She says. “Did you enjoy the last day of school?”

“If you say it like that, it’ll make me feel like I’m graduating soon.” He says, hanging his bag on the banister.

“Right, sorry. Any plans for spring break? Now’s the time for you younguns to get lit, amirite?” She says.

“Please stop. You are physically hurting me.” Seiren mutters. “I don’t have any plans.”

“Well, you should probably make some, then.” She says. “Your boss at the restaurant called, apparently there was a pipe burst yada yada mildew yada yada paid vacation for you.”

“I’m pretty sure there was some important info there that you just glossed over.” He says in his usual monotone.

“Well, you’ll be getting paid to have fun, so enjoy yourself, okay?” She says.

Just my luck, now I’ve got to figure out something to do, otherwise, I won’t be able to keep my mind off of things. Seiren thinks.

Seiren remains motionless to think until he remembers kirth’s words.

“Hey, mom, what do you know about the fading forest?” He asks.

“Other than that it’s just a forest, not much else. Now that you mention it, I remember my coworker saying how it’s always been extremely foggy. So it’s very easy to get lost.” She says. “Why do you ask?”

“I was thinking about going with some friends,” he says.

“Well, as long as you’re not going alone, leave the location on your phone just in case.” She says.

“Alright.” He agrees. 

After spending the rest of his night relaxing, tomorrow night rolls around as something sinister begins to stir within the fading forest. Seiren stands in front of his mirror, dressed in a light two-toned sleeveless hoodie, a pair of black pants, and a small messenger bag. In the bag, he has a small flashlight, a few snacks, and some water.

It’s about 7:44 now, if I leave now I’ll be there early. He thinks.

Seiren heads down the stairs, catching his mother in the living room reading.

“About to head out?” She asks.

“Yeah. I’ll see you soon.” He says.

“Be careful out there, I love you.” She says.

“I love you too, mom.” He says. 

Seiren slowly closes the door behind him, watching the light from the house disappear behind the length of the door. He then heads straight to the appointed location. He enters the Aundi National Park where he can see the edge of the forest in the distance. The forest was exuding fog as if it were endlessly forming from within. The white of the fog would slowly fade away as it exited the forest, completely disappearing just before touching Seiren’s nose. 

The forest looks eerie. It’s so foggy, I can’t even make out trees beyond the first row. He thinks.

Seiren starts browsing his phone, when he’s caught off guard, by a sudden hand on his shoulder. Kirth was standing there behind him along with three others.

“Did I scare you?” Kirth asks.

“Not really.” He replies.

Seiren rises from the park bench peers back over at the forest.

“Ready to go?” Kirth asks.

Seiren nods.

“This is gonna be sick! Exploring the fading forest!” One guy says.

The four of them approach the edge of the forest. Giving each other one last look, kirth pulls a rope out of his bag, tying it to a lamp post.

“This way we won’t get lost.” He says.

“Good idea,” Seiren says.

They continue further and further into the forest, and Seiren begins to notice something in the dirt.