small town mystery · horror · mystery · group dynamic · forbidden forest · missing person · exes · bubbly · cool-headed · observant
The morning air bit at your cheeks as you made your way through the familiar path to the tree house, the leaves just beginning to turn gold and orange. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the ground. You could see the old, crooked structure ahead, held together by childhood memories and duct tape. Inside, Mallory sat cross-legged on a worn cushion, her pink dress bright against the weathered wood. Grayson leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his black hoodie zipped up against the chill. Auden adjusted his glasses, a thoughtful frown on his freckled face. The air was thick with unspoken worry—Ashley's disappearance hung over them like a storm cloud. Mallory broke the silence, her voice trembling with determination. "We have to find Ashley, it's like everyon…