Ethan guided the hikers with steady determination, keeping his eyes on the trail ahead and his thoughts firmly on the task at hand. The path was narrow and winding, lined with gnarled trees that seemed to lean in as though listening to their every step.
He moved quickly but not so fast that the hikers couldn't keep up, casting the occasional glance over his shoulder to ensure none of them strayed too far behind.
"Stick to the trail you came from," he said firmly, his tone brooking no argument. "And don't even think about heading toward the mountain or anywhere. Those are not safe."
The hikers, still pale and shaken from their ordeal, murmured their agreement, their voices too soft to form words. Ethan could feel their eyes on him, the unspoken questions hanging in the air like heavy mist.
Who was he? What had just happened?
But before anyone could muster the courage to ask, he cut them off.
