The sun dipped low as they made their way up the rugged trail, the golden light fading quickly. The wind began to pick up, and the rustling of the dry leaves sounded almost like whispers. Jiv laughed nervously. "It's just the wind. People have way too much time on their hands here."
Viya smiled but couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The hills were too quiet, as though the world beyond them had ceased to exist. She glanced at the dense forest surrounding them, its shadows thickening with each step.
"Let's make it to the top and then turn back before it gets too dark," viya suggested, her voice edged with uncertainty.
jiv, ever the confident one, nodded. "We'll be fine."