While reading about the Hoia Baciu forest, I couldn't help but notice the connections made throughout the stories told of it. Ideas continued to grow, and I couldn't help but make it the setting of this story. If you have any spare time, I really recommend you look up this haunted forest. Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 1

The mysterious land caused stories to develop for ages. At first, little knew of the forest's secrets. The unnerving atmosphere, the dread that clung to the air with a vicious grip. Yet as the years passed by, more and more came to know of the legends. As the word traveled, more and more decided to pay a visit to the harsh woods, testing its authenticity. The trees welcomed their arrival, praying on their psych and sometimes taking them whole.

Although the stories offered no explanation, a truth lingered. One that not a single oblivious human knew. The ringing that whistled through the trees had a source. The voices were no ghosts. The sudden illness ones would experience had reason. The black mist was not a trick of the eye, nor were the bright green eyes that seemed to watch wanderers with bloodlust. More importantly, the circular amount of land in the middle of the forest refused to let anything grow because something was already there. But no one can see it.

The Hoia Baciu forest has been known as one of the most haunted forests in the world. This only drew paranormal lovers to it like glue, including a group of teenagers who currently trailed at its edge. Traveling to Romania had seemed like a brilliant idea at the time. But now, peering into the depths of the trees only made the hairs on the back of a young girl's neck rise.

She chewed on her bottom lip as her friends conversed, the excitement within their voices causing her stomach to curl. There was no backing down, now. They would never let her live it down.

"I can't believe we're actually here," Charlotte breathed, her eyes as wide as saucers as she stared into the woods. The furious wind caused her pale hair to rush forward, barely held back from the ponytail.

"Believe it. It was a dreadfully long trip, so you had plenty of time to get used to the idea," Lyric scowled, his bleak features never seeming to change. He was the hardest to win over when it involved going on the trip. It was difficult enough trying to get him out of his house. The young hermit hated the world around him, preferring to stay cooped up in the safety of his home.

"Come on, man, try to enjoy yourself when you're out and about! Due to the rarity of it, you might as well get something out of it," Oliver snickered, his crooked grin bold across his face.

Harper stared at her friends, unable to help but smile. She would never dream of going into this forest alone. But at least the three of them were with her.

"How could I possibly enjoy wandering around a forest at night? Not to mention the possibility of getting lost," Lyric spat, his dark eyes penetrating through Oliver as he glared.

"Your main concern is getting lost?" Charlotte hesitantly laughed. "I'm more worried about the stories," she added, her voice trickling away.

Lyric let out a harsh snort, shaking his head. "That just shows your naivety if you believe any of that. They are stories. I'm hoping after this night you all will get over your childish fantasies of paranormal horror."

"You are seriously no fun, man. Where is your sense of excitement? Adventure?" Oliver's smile never faltered. His warm brown eyes always had a bright twinkle to them, no matter the amount of coldness Lyric emitted.

"I'm a realist," Lyric curtly replied, brushing a strand of his black hair out from in front of his eyes.

"But Lyric! How could so many people say the same thing? Hearing voices and giggles? Strange lights and figures?" Charlotte persuaded.

"Idiotic people who have active imaginations," he brushed off, situating his bag on his shoulder.

"How about the little girl who got lost in the woods when she was five? Then returned from the woods years later, with no memory of what happened? Or the odd circle of land where nothing grows? Explain that Mr. Realist," she grinned, triumphantly.

He shrugged. "A loony girl and bad soil. You are truly going to believe what they say about a different dimension?"

Charlotte's deflated expression turned to one of pure anger. Harper let out a deep sigh, knowing she would have to intervene before the fighting started. They hadn't even entered the forest yet and Lyric was getting on everyone's nerves.

"Okay, can we go on in? I've been waiting over here, but you all seem to prefer talking," she murmured, tightly crossing her arms. In all honesty, she wasn't eager to enter these woods. But it was better than staying out here.

Walking forward, she entered the forest, listening to the leaves crinkle below her booted feet. She heard everyone follow behind her, along with the bickering between Charlotte and Lyric. Oliver caught up to her side, seeming to be in no mood to endure the negativity between them.

"So, Harper. You haven't said much since we got here. What do you think about the forest?" he asked, his bright, dimpling smile causing her to mimic it.

"Can't say much, yet. Although it doesn't seem to be a very good place." Her smile vanished as she stared up through the branches of the trees at the setting sun. Soon, they would have no light at all. Her stomach did flips as she stared at the strange trees that surrounded them. They curved low to the ground before shooting high into the hair. The limbs twisted in odd angles as if screaming that there was something wrong with this land. To run away.

"Yeah, this place gives me the creeps. Doesn't mean it won't be fun, though!"

Harper smiled, enjoying Oliver's upbeat personality at this moment. They would more than likely lose it by the night's end without it. The longer they walked, the more eerie their surroundings became. The sunlight had faded to pitch black, flashlights now being their only guide. The only sounds were the crackling leaves and the occasional sigh from Lyric.

Eventually, Oliver deemed that they had gone long enough to set up camp for the night. Harper thankfully rested her back against one of the odd trees as the boys set up their tent. Charlotte sluggishly wandered to her side, letting out a huff of air.

"Well, not much has happened yet," she whispered, a dejected gleam to her icy eyes.

Harper grinned, shaking her head. "Do you want something to happen?" she chortled, brushing a lock of her waving hair behind her ear. "Besides. We still have the rest of the night."

"It's not that I want something to happen," Charlotte shrugged, before throwing a piercing look in Lyric's direction. "I just don't want him to be right. Think about it, Harper, we'll never hear the end of it."

"It was your idea for a vacation," Harper snickered, trying to ignore the aggravated expression Charlotte now wore. "We could have gone anywhere. But you wanted to go to a haunted forest, of all places."

"Hey, Oliver backed me up!"

"And everyone knows why," Harper grinned, a malicious glint in her chocolate eyes. She didn't miss the round of color that spilled into Charlotte's cheeks as her head snapped away.

"I don't know what you are talking about."

Before Harper could reply, the boys had finished setting up the tent. Oliver's bright smile lit across his face as he stretched out his arms.

"Now that that is out the way, we should probably start a fire. Lyric, why don't you be a buddy and grab some wood?"

Lyric's glare could pierce through steel. Instead of offering a reply, he stiffly turned, allowing his flashlight to lead the way through the dark trees. Harper hurried to his side, figuring she shouldn't leave him alone out here.

"Hurry back!" Charlotte called, with a certain worried tone to her voice.

Lyric mumbled irritably beneath his breath as he stormed through the brush, collecting as many sticks as he could carry. Harper's arms were already full as she patiently waited for him to finish.

"You know, Oliver is right. You could have some fun while we're here," she whispered, her lips twisting up at the corners.

"Pardon me, but I don't find being isolated in the middle of the woods with no connection to the outside world to be fun." His monotone voice showed he was in no mood for speaking as he added another stick to his pile.

"Well, it's not something that you do everyday," she shrugged.

"True. But we could have gone to the beach. Or somewhere where I am not forced to sleep out in the wilderness," he grumbled.

"College students typically vacation at the beach. Charlotte and Oliver wanted to do something different," Harper replied, although she agreed with Lyric. The beach would have been wonderful. Warm sunlight, refreshing waves. Collecting seashells and swimming. Instead, they were wandering the woods, collecting firewood.

"Charlotte and Oliver could have come here themselves," he spat, turning to face Harper. "That's enough firewood. We should head back," he bluntly nodded.

Agreeing, Harper starting along side him as they let their flashlights guide them back. Once they arrived, however, both dropped the wood in unison. Oliver leaned over Charlotte worriedly as she laid crumpled on the ground.

"What happened?" Harper snapped, jolting to her side. She was barely aware of Lyric as he stood behind her.

"I… I don't know," Oliver stated, panicked. "She just fell to the ground, saying she was sick. I think… I think she threw up over there," he choked out, his face crumpling in disgust.

"My head hurts," she cried, her hands furiously massaging her temples. Her bloodshot eyes popped open, staring intently at Harper. "Do you… do you hear it?" she cried, her lower lip trembling.

Harper looked over to Lyric, who simply shrugged his shoulders. His emotionless face showed he wasn't all that concerned. Returning her gaze to Charlotte, she hesitantly shook her head. "Hear what?" she asked, trying to sound as soothing as possible.

"That ring!" Charlotte cried, looking as though she was about to rip her hair from the roots. "It keeps getting louder and louder!" Tears were streaming down her face like a faucet, refusing to stop.

"Have her go lie in the tent," Lyric curtly mumbled, nodding towards Oliver.

The fear in Oliver's eyes pulled at Harper's heartstrings, but she remained still. "Try to go to sleep," she added, as Oliver helped her up.

Charlotte's eyes were wide and chaotic as she stared around, flickering back and forth across the trees. But she complied, allowing Oliver to pull her into the tent, zipping it closed after she was situated inside.

"What in the hell was that?" Lyric bleakly asked, starting on the fire. Harper had barely noticed.

Oliver appeared as if he had seen a ghost. "I don't know. She freaked on me, in the middle of a conversation. She just started saying, 'that ring, that ring'. I never heard anything."

"Me neither," Harper breathed, pursing her lips.

She heard the flick of a lighter, then the glowing flame as Lyric lit the fire. Sitting down by its side, she shook her head. "That's sad, though," she whispered, staring into the growing flames. "She was so excited to come. Now she has to spend the rest of the night in a tent."

"Better than being out here," Lyric growled, sitting by her side.

Oliver stayed by the tent's edge, the worry not fading from his emerald eyes. His broad shoulders were slumped, making him appear so helpless. Eventually, he forced himself forward until he sat down by the fire as well. Pulling his bag to his side, he reached inside, eventually pulling out a granola bar. Tearing off the paper, he began to eat, leaving the crackling of the fire to be the only noise.

"Well, I see the mood has been ruined," Lyric chuckled, humorlessly. "I must tell you, this trip has been fantastic," he growled.

"You're not helping," Harper hissed, glaring into the trees. The fire barely illuminated the land enough for her to see far.

"Coming here-" Lyric wasn't able to finish his sentence.

Right after he spoke, a hazy ring filled the air. The granola bar fell from Oliver's hands, his eyes popping wide. The three stared at each other, not daring to speak a word. It was faint. But it was there.

"Do you hear it?" Oliver breathed, sweat now coating the back of his neck.

Lyric and Harper both hesitantly nodded, unable to break eye contact. Unable to move. "It's… it's an animal," Lyric concluded, nodding his head surely. The fear that now lurked in his dark eyes showed he was not as confident as he seemed.

"What kind of animal makes that sound?" Oliver growled, baring his teeth.

Lyric's eyebrows furrowed as he fought to think of a reply. But before he could, the shrill scream of Charlotte filled the air. Oliver shot to his feet, but before he could make it to the tent, Charlotte was nearly breaking it down. The zipper ripped open before she toppled out, convulsing on the ground like a fish out of water. A wail tumbled from her lips as she gripped her head, her hands covering her ears. It didn't hide the trail of blood that seeped through her fingers and trickled down her neck.

Oliver shot to her side, having to pry her hands away. Her sobbing increased as her ears were bared, showing the blood that was gushing out.

"Make it stop!" she shrieked, viciously shaking her head.

Lyric was as hard as stone as he stared at the sight before him, Harper matching. They all now heard the ring. But it wasn't uncomfortable. Was she even hearing the same thing? Oliver hovered above her, soothingly trying to get her to settle down. He grabbed her wrists, trying to force her to stop moving, only for her to cough, blood splattering onto his white shirt. The breath hitched in Lyric's throat, Oliver's eyes growing three sizes larger. Charlotte began to choke, her cheeks growing darker in color.

"She's choking!"

"Lift her up, you fool!" Lyric growled, pushing himself to his feet.

Oliver shakily lifted her, although it didn't seem to help. Within seconds, she drooped in his arms.

"CPR, now!" Harper cried, flinging herself forward. Lyric caught her, holding her back as Oliver began to blow air into her lungs, pumping her heart for her. Tears were now rolling down his cheeks, his hands shaking as he forced her heart to beat.

Harper would have fell to her knees if it hadn't been for Lyric holding her up. She noticed his head snap out into the trees, his face as pale as a ghost.

"She's not breathing!" Oliver cried, furiously working over Charlotte's body. But he knew as well as everyone else that there was nothing else they could do. They were out in the middle of the woods, no one to call to for help. Even if they got her breathing again…

The ring fell silent. Harper twisted in Lyric's arms, holding on to him as she snapped her eyes shut. There was something out there. Something that had just killed Charlotte. Even though Oliver was trying to revive her, his choked cries showed that even he knew it was futile. Lyric's stiff form offered little comfort as tears leaked from her eyes. Something was out there.

With a cry of surrender, Oliver shot to his feet, blood covering most of his form. He was shaking like a leaf, the fire illuminating off of him in a brutal manner.

"Hey!" he yelled, stomping out into the trees. "You son of a bitch! What do you want?" he snarled, fury radiating off of him.

"Shut up!" Lyric growled. "You see what it wants! If you keep antagonizing it, you will be next," he hissed.

"Oh, so you admit now that this forest is fucked up," Oliver snorted, glaring at him. That usual twinkle in his eyes was now missing.

Harper pulled away from Lyric, squeezing her eyes shut. This had to be a dream. This couldn't be real. This vacation wasn't supposed to result in her friend dying.

"I'd be ignorant to say it's not. What else could have done that to her?" Lyric's chillingly calm voice did little to hide his twisting emotions.

"We need to get out of here," Harper breathed, the tears continuing to spill from her eyes. It would be wrong to leave Charlotte. But if they remained by the fire's side, they would be nothing more than sitting ducks.

"No! I'm not leaving her," Oliver furiously shook his head.

"She's right," Lyric hissed in reply, walking to Harper's side. "Look at her. She is dead. Before the night's end she died in these woods. Yet you think we should stay here? Something managed to kill her before even coming into view. You would be a fool to stay and see what happens once it does," Lyric scoffed.

"Oliver, listen to him," Harper coaxed, her eyes pleading as she tried to keep his gaze. He dropped it without a second thought.

"You two do what you want," he snarled, baring his teeth. "Shows how good of friends you are," he snorted, sitting down by Charlotte's dead form.

Harper's heart stuttered painfully as her tears quickened. Lyric took hold of her arm, beginning to drag her away. "It isn't about friendship. It's about survival. You think she would want you to stay here? Do as you wish, but I would like to see tomorrow," Lyric bluntly stated, heading out into the dark woods while towing Harper by his side.

"Lyric, I don't think-"

"Let his ignorance get him killed," Lyric shrugged.

Silence reigned over them as they continued through the woods, the atmosphere growing thicker as they went along. Not even the moon offered them light, only the smooth rays from their flashlights.

"I'm sorry we made you come, Lyric," Harper finally choked, wrapping her arms around herself as they walked. The guilt that swam within her refused to falter. Leaving Charlotte, abandoning Oliver. Dragging Lyric along, when he could safely be at home right now, like he wanted.

"It wasn't your doing," he brushed off, shaking his head.

Harper paused, jerking her arm in front of him. "Do you see that?"

Following her line of sight, Lyric could make out the tall form of a man, partially hidden behind a tree in the distance. Shutting his eyes, he reopened them to see it now gone. His throat went dry as he stared at Harper's horror struck face.

"Something really is out here," Harper cried, the light from her flashlight shaking due to her trembling form.

"Keep going," Lyric snapped, shaking his head as he drug her forward.

Oliver angrily glared into the roaring flames, running his fingers through Charlotte's pale hair. Part of him refused to believe she was gone. How much she meant to him refused to let him believe… Reaching down, he brought his cell phone to his ear, trying for the fifteenth time to call for help. But with the lack of signal in the depths of the trees, it was his teeth, he slung his phone down to the dirt.

Hearing a snapping twig in the distance caused his head to rise, his eyes narrowing. Whatever it was, it was playing games with them. He did regret not going with Harper and Lyric. The logical part of him knew that they were right. But it seemed as though weights were tied at his ankles, refusing him to leave this very spot. Pushing himself to his feet, he gently lowered Charlotte to the ground, refusing his eyes from falling on her. He felt dead inside, lost within the trees. It was like a vicious nightmare that he couldn't wake from. He wished he would find himself jerking awake in bed, sweat trailing down his skin. Still on the plane to Romania. Although he knew good and well that it was a useless wish.

His ears pricked as the ring buzzed through the air once more, causing the hairs to rise on his arms. It was now higher pitched, aggravating as he listened to it. His fists clenched as his hate-filled eyes searched through the trees, coming up with nothing. Nothing but mocking limbs and shadows. "What do you want?" he bellowed, his chest rising and falling as his heart picked up speed.

He was being circled like an animal, that ring continuing to raise higher and higher. It was now like nails on a chalk board, a pitiful yell barely held back in his throat. He spun on his heel, trying to find the cause of such a noise through the trees.

The flames flickered, the fire close to going out. A curling sickness gathered in Oliver's stomach as he tried to hold himself together. His vision grew blurry as the fire cut out, no reason for it. Darkness surrounded him, only the aching sound of the ring behind heard. He froze, holding his hands to his ears, begging for it all to be over.

That was when he heard the distinct sound of twigs snapping behind him. His heart stopped within his chest as the ring died away, horrific silence being left behind. Slowly, he turned.

He was faced with a tall, menacing being that peered down at him. Its featureless face mockingly returned his glare, as a smile ripped its way into place.

He shut his eyes, accepting death as it smiled.

Lyric and Harper continued to tread through the woods, hoping that at any moment, they would break from the trees. The heavy atmosphere continued to grow, choking in a way. Harper frowned at her aching feet, losing track of the amount of time they had been walking. It seemed like a century.

"I would offer a break, but now isn't the time for that," Lyric sighed, appearing just as drained as she did.

"Are we going in circles or something?" she bleakly murmured, forcing herself to continue.

"I couldn't tell you if we were."

An agonized shriek echoed through the trees a good distance away. Lyric and Harper froze, refusing to even blink. The sobs continued to grow, until they cut off completely. Harper felt her knees tremble, threatening to go out beneath her.

"Oliver…" she breathed, barely getting the single word out of her tight throat.

Lyric's face was expressionless, as he tried to remain calm. "He should have come with us," he deadpanned, shaking his head as he started forward once more.

"How can you say that right now?" Harper cried, bounding forward to catch up with him. Lyric glared at her with warning eyes, showing he was in no mood for this. "Two of our friends are dead because of some monster out there!"

"We can't do anything about it!" he hissed in return. "We can't go back. There would be nothing either of could do if we did. If we starting mourning right now, it would give that creature the perfect opportunity to catch up with us. Keep your head clear, and you can cry all you want once we are out of this hellhole!" he growled, quickening his pace.

Offering no reply, she hurried by Lyric's side, praying they would make it out of here soon. To survive this nightmare that refused to end. On and on they walked, until that dreaded ring met with them, an omen of what was to come.

Lyric stiffened, his eyes flashing about. The land around them was silent besides the ring, no animal life even offering comfort. At the sound of a snapping twig, adrenaline swam in his veins.

"Run," he hissed, speeding forward with more speed he ever thought he had.

Harper was right on his heels, speeding forward faster than her legs had ever gone. Both of them were now in panic mode, seeing that no matter how fast they went, how far they got, that monster would always catch up to them. Her lungs burned as she pushed herself forward, refusing to stop. That was until Lyric slid to a stop, leaves and loose rocks flying from the ground. Nearly slamming into his back, Harper barely made out the tall form of a creature, before it trickled out of sight, disappearing into thin air.

If Lyric hadn't believed in the paranormal before, he most certainly did now. Harper gripped his arm like a vice, her trembling legs not moving. It was pointless. Positively pointless. The creature was taunting them. Playing with them as he lingered. There was no making it out of this wicked land of terror.

A rush of black and white sped forward, knocking Lyric to the ground, ripping Harper's arms away. Lyric scrambled, twisting around to see nothing. Nothing was there. Leaves were stuck in Lyric's dark hair, which shook as he did. His dark eyes locked with Harper's, an accepting gleam to them.

"Go, Harper," he breathed, starting to his feet.

That was all it took for Harper to speed forward, trampling through the woods as if it were on fire. Guilt seethed within her veins, regretfully slowing her pace. She couldn't leave him. Allow that monster to use him, while she made it out of here. It was wrong. It was just wrong. Just as she was prepared to turn back, a sickening crack filled the air. Soon followed by a powerful slam, as if one of the trees had fallen. Hesitantly walking back, her flashlight shook as she peered around.

Her hand slammed over her mouth to prevent the scream that ached to burst through her lips. There, a tree snapped in half. It's jagged edge pointed straight for the sky, Lyric's dying body impaled on the very tip. The jagged bark was stained red, Lyric's blood trickling down and staining his torso. His limbs hung lifelessly by his side as the light drained from his dark eyes.

A pitiful whimper spilled through her lips as she turned, sprinting into the dark. Her flashlight flung to the ground, leaving her with nothing but darkness. Her hands shot out, whipping at the limps that slammed into her face and sides. Her heart was thumping erratically in her chest, her thoughts jumbled due to the panic. It wasn't long, however, before she tumbled forward, breaking through the last of the trees.

A cry of relief broke through her lips as her shaking hands now gripped smooth grass, relief blooming within her. That was only until she gazed up, seeing she was not free. In fact, she was a lot worse off than she imagined. She was in the middle of the forest. The circular land where nothing would grow. She was in the heart of the nightmare, out in the open and vulnerable.

Her thoughts began to grow dizzy, her vision blurred. Her thoughts only focused on what Charlotte had said about this land. The rumor of different dimensions. The dizziness, the sickness. It was all true. Falling forward, she curled into a small ball. She was accepting death, zero fight left within her. After all, there was nothing else she could do. She didn't even notice that the ring died away.

The sickness began to fade. Trickling away as if it had never occurred. Holding herself together, she didn't know whether or not she could open her eyes. If she did, that creature would more than likely be face to face with her. Taking the chance, her eyes snapped open.

All of the air left her lungs. She had been expecting a monster. Death, a circle of empty land. But that was the last thing she was faced with.

A towering, magnificent mansion now stood with all its glory. Its elegance showed with pride, artfully constructed with a dark beauty. Columns lined the entry way, stone steps leading to a massive front door. Furiously blinking, she wondered if she had died. If this was purely an act of her imagination—had she lost her mind? Shakily pushing herself to her feet, her eyes refused to tear away from the glorious building. Only until its front doors swung open, two figures nonchalantly exiting.

Panicking, she twisted around, only to be faced with the man from her nightmares.

He was incredibly tall. Towering above her, the dark being emptily gazed down at her. He had no features—faceless. She could make out the small indents of his cheekbones, and the dips where his eyes should be. A delicate suit adorned his body, his white dress shirt stained with blood. What looked to be tentacles swayed behind his back, his expression narrowing into one of anger.

"Slender, are you done-"

The gruff voice froze from behind her, as tears welled her eyes. The creature scoffed—scoffed at the other voice, before shaking its head. A wicked smile tore into place on his face.

"Not quite. Just one more," his demonic voice growled.

His grotesque smile grew, as Harper's eyes snapped closed.

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