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Chapter 12 - BACK TO THE MAINLAND

The next day, the group woke up feeling refreshed and energized. The sun was shining, and the birds were chirping. Everyone felt relieved to have made it through the night unscathed. They enjoyed a hearty breakfast of eggs, toast, and coffee before setting off for their final day on the island.

As they walked, they couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness that their trip was coming to an end. The island had been both beautiful and terrifying, and they had formed a bond over their shared experience.

They came across a clearing and decided to take a break. Peter suggested they should share their favorite moments from the trip. Everyone nodded in agreement, and they began reminiscing.

Liam said, "My favorite moment was when we stumbled upon that hidden waterfall. It was so beautiful, and the water was crystal clear."

Hannah added, "I loved when we saw the bioluminescent plankton in the water. It was like nothing I've ever seen before."

Daniel said, "For me, it was when we found that old temple. It was eerie, but also fascinating to see something that had been there for so long."

Ahmed said, "I enjoyed the challenge of navigating through the jungle. It was tough, but it made us work together as a team."

Maidy added, "I liked the bonfire on the beach. It was a peaceful night, and we were able to forget about all the scary things that had happened."

Debby said, "I loved the stars. You could see so many, and it made me feel small in the best way possible."

Suzanne said, "I have to agree with Hannah. Seeing the bioluminescent plankton was amazing. It was like we were swimming in a sea of stars."

Paratha chimed in, "I think my favorite moment was when we all huddled together during the storm. It was scary, but it also made me feel close to everyone."

Peter smiled and said, "I loved it all. Even the scary parts. It's a trip I'll never forget."

As they continued their walk, they came across a small beach they hadn't seen before. The sand was white, and the water was a bright turquoise color. It was the most beautiful beach they had seen on the island.

They decided to spend the rest of the day there, swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying each other's company. They all knew that it was a moment they would treasure forever.

As the sun began to set, they gathered their things and headed back to the campsite. They spent the evening sitting around the fire, roasting marshmallows and sharing stories. It was a perfect end to an unforgettable trip.

The next day, they packed up their belongings and began the journey back to the mainland. As they boarded the boat, they all looked back at the island, feeling a mixture of relief and sadness.

As they sailed away, Liam said, "I'm glad we made it out of there in one piece."

Hannah added, "But I'll never forget the island. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Peter nodded in agreement, "We may have been scared, but we faced our fears together. That's what makes this trip so special."

They all smiled at each other, knowing that they had formed a bond that would last a lifetime. The island may have been haunted, but it had also brought them closer together.

The morning sun shone brightly as the group of friends made their way to the beach for one last swim. It had been a fun and memorable trip, but they were all looking forward to returning home. As they lounged on the beach, Liam suggested they take a group photo to remember the trip.

They gathered around Liam's camera, but as he snapped the photo, the ground beneath them began to shake violently. The group stumbled and fell to the ground, their screams drowned out by the sound of rocks crashing into the water.

When the shaking subsided, they picked themselves up and looked out at the water. To their horror, they saw a giant wave headed straight for them.

"Run!" Peter shouted, and the group sprinted towards the trees. They could hear the wave crashing behind them, the sound growing louder and louder. They could feel the water lapping at their heels, threatening to pull them under.

Finally, they reached the safety of the trees and turned to watch as the wave crashed onto the shore, wiping out everything in its path. When the water receded, they could see that the beach had been completely destroyed, the sand stripped away and the trees uprooted.

They stood there in shock, realizing that if they had been just a few seconds slower, they would have been swept away by the wave.

"What the hell was that?" James asked, his voice shaking.

"I don't know," Liam replied, "but we need to get out of here. Now."

They quickly gathered their things and made their way back to the resort, where they found chaos and destruction. The pool was drained, the buildings were damaged, and there were several injured guests.

As they tried to piece together what had happened, they heard rumors of an earthquake out at sea. But they all knew that something more sinister was at play. They had experienced too many unexplainable events during their time on the island to believe it was just a natural disaster.

That night, they gathered in Liam's room to discuss their next steps. They had to leave the island as soon as possible, but they couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.

"We need to figure out what's going on here," Ahmed said. "We can't just leave and pretend like none of this ever happened."

"But how do we do that?" Hannah asked. "We don't even know where to begin."

"We start by talking to the locals," Daniel said. "Maybe they know something we don't."

They all agreed that it was worth a shot, so the next morning, they set out to speak to the residents of the island. They found a small village where they were welcomed warmly, and after explaining their situation, they were surprised to find that the villagers had been experiencing similar unexplainable events.

"There's something not right about this island," one villager said. "We've always known it, but we never talk about it. It's like a curse has been put on us."

The group listened intently, their curiosity piqued. They spent the day talking to as many villagers as they could, learning about the island's history and its legends. They heard tales of vengeful spirits and angry gods, of cursed relics and dark rituals.

As the sun began to set, they made their way back to the resort, deep in thought. They knew that they had stumbled onto something big, but they had no idea how to proceed. They were in over their heads, and they knew it.

As they sat in silence, Debby suddenly spoke up. "I have an idea," she said. "But it's crazy."

They all looked at her, intrigued. "What is it?" Liam asked.