Amy woke up late at night, disoriented and unsure of her surroundings. Everything felt surreal. Her head was spinning, she could barely walk, and her stomach hurt. Pain radiated through her body. She couldn't understand what had happened or remember anything. Her phone rang, startling her. She glanced at it and saw that the caller was someone she loved. Fear gripped her, and she didn't accept the call.
"I can't pick this up. I just don't want to talk. I feel so weird, it's...," she muttered to herself.
The dark room was silent except for the persistent ringing of her phone. She couldn't bring herself to answer, afraid that something terrible might happen if she did. She knew that picking up the call might break his heart, or worse.
[Scene Fades to Darkness]
[Next scene: a forest surrounded by huge mountains]
- 9:15 AM, June 2055
It was a Sunday morning with pleasant weather and a fresh smell in the air. Kaila and Xin began their journey to explore the forest called "Matlo Rivera."
"Hey sis, you sure this is the right place?" Xin asked nervously.
"I am 100% sure of it," Kaila replied confidently. "I have the books and I downloaded the 'Swings' app. It has all the instructions. Come on, don't be scared. You're acting like a wimp."
"Shut up. I don't have your experience in the forest. This place is really messed up. Plus, I have a lot to do back home. I forgot about the shit exam I have."
"Well, you acted like a brave lion back home and planned to prove you're smart and impress your little crush," Kaila teased.
"You're just wasting energy. Let's finish this fast," Xin grumbled.
"Yeah, yeah. We'll first check out the 'Silicon Area.' It's nearby according to the app. Then we can either go deeper into the forest or head back home. What do you say?"
"I don't care where we go, I just need to get home. But let's focus only on the 'Silicon Area,' okay?"
"Okay then. Let's go. We're coming for you, Silicon Baby."
[They walk towards the location with heavy bags on their backs. Xin is not enjoying the trek, but Kaila is fully committed.]
[Two hours pass, and they still can't find the place. It seems they are lost.]
Kaila remains calm, as if this is a minor setback. Xin, on the other hand, is genuinely scared and just wants to go home.
"Hey Sis, this is too much. We're fucking lost. Let's go back the way we came," Xin pleaded.
"Come on, chill out. It's not serious. Even if we are lost, we can get help anytime. There are many food stations here, and it's a tourist spot, so we can easily find people," Kaila reassured him.
"I haven't seen anyone except that creepy old lady sitting on the bench at the main spot where we started."
"I don't feel good about this. Call Mom," Xin insisted.
(Smiling) "You really thought she would be home waiting for us?" Kaila asked.
"Oh yeah, I forgot," Xin's expression turned down for a moment. "But look, we should have a connection here. Just try to call 911."
"Dude, what happened to you? We're safe, okay? Let's just go back the way we came."
"That's what I've been saying. Alright, let's go."
[Xin and Kaila start heading back, walking for almost 30 minutes, but the road doesn't seem to end.]
"Whoa, I thought we would be back by now. I still can't find any signboards. Hey Xin, can you check the app?" Kaila asked.
"Your phone doesn't have a charge. This feels like a creepy survival movie," Xin said, frustrated.
"Use your phone. You have the app installed, right?" Kaila suggested.
"No, I don't."
"Oh shit. Umm, okay, so..."
"NOW WHAT? Sis, are you serious? We're going to die if we don't go back. I don't think there's anyone else in this fucking forest besides us."
"Look, I didn't think we would get into this situation, okay?"
"You know the warnings, right? Most places in our area have those brain-dead creatures that literally eat humans alive."
"I know, but they only come out in the dark. So we're safe for now," Kaila reassured him with a small smile.
"Oh fuck. Lets get moving than. Its already 12 we have to move fast." Xin said
"Hmm Lets see If we can also find some place with people I am sure people are here but why can't we find anyone or any store?" Kaila replied with worried face
"I think the app you're using is made using old data. But still lets go we have to check out fast…."
They continued walking, talking, and cracking jokes, but a hint of fear was evident in both of them. Xin was visibly scared, while Kaila tried her best to hide her emotions. She needed to protect her brother, to make sure he felt safe and loved, because that's what family members do right?
[Scene fades to darkness again]
[Amy is shown lying on her bed, crying, feeling lost, scared, and hurt]
By now, she was certain she was in the place she most feared, and it was much worse than she imagined. What is she going to do?
The journey begins.