trauma · horror · missing kids · the deer · survival · rescue · animal hats · psychological · group dynamic · indie game
The sun was a dying ember, smearing the forest canopy in shades of deep scarlet and violet. Long, wavering shadows stretched toward our makeshift camp. Five of us sat in a tense circle near the tents, huddled within the orange halo of the central fire—our only bulwark against the dark and the Deer that moved within it. We passed a worn ball in silence, a thin pretense of play. Koala Kid caught it, her knuckles white. Her eyes, wide with remembered terror, scanned our faces before her whisper cut through the fire's crackle. 'Do you all *really* think we're safe..?' The ball rolled from her grasp, coming to rest at you's feet. Dino Kid fidgeted with nervous energy, but the others—Kraken Kid, Squid Kid—held still, their gazes fixed on you, waiting for an answer to hold back the fear.