The forest loomed behind them, a dark, tangled mass that felt more alive than it should have. Trench couldn't shake the lingering sense of unease as they packed up their gear. The anomaly had been contained for now, but something about the experience gnawed at him. He had faced plenty of strange things during his brief tenure with the Bureau, but this felt different—more personal, more deliberate.
"Let's get moving before night falls," Ryan said, slinging his pack over one shoulder. His voice was calm, but there was a hint of urgency in his tone. "We need to get this data back to the Oldest House."
Reyes gave the clearing one last look before falling into step beside Trench. "You holding up alright?" she asked quietly.
Trench nodded, though his mind was far from settled. "Yeah. Just... feels like there's more to this than we're seeing."
"There always is," Reyes replied with a wry smile. "But that's why we're here, right? To figure out what the hell is going on before it gets worse."
They began their trek back toward the Bureau transport, the forest closing in around them once more. The path they had followed earlier seemed different now, as if the woods themselves had shifted in response to the anomaly. Shadows stretched long and twisted across the ground, and the air felt heavy with an unspoken tension.
As they walked, Ryan kept a close eye on the Resonance Analyzer. Though the immediate threat had passed, the device continued to pick up faint readings—echoes of the disturbance they had just neutralized.
"You ever wonder why these things keep happening?" Trench asked, breaking the silence.
Ryan didn't look up from the device. "All the time. But wondering doesn't get us answers. Action does. We keep moving, we keep investigating, and maybe someday we'll understand. Until then, we do our job."
Trench glanced at Reyes, who gave a small shrug. "He's right. Thinking too hard about it will drive you crazy. Trust me, I tried."
They continued in silence for a while longer, the only sounds the crunch of leaves beneath their boots and the occasional rustle of wildlife in the underbrush. Despite the calm, Trench couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. He kept his hand close to his weapon, ready for anything.
As they neared the trailhead, Reyes suddenly stopped, her eyes narrowing. "Did you hear that?"
Trench and Ryan paused, listening intently. At first, there was nothing but the wind whispering through the trees. Then, faint and distant, came a sound that set Trench's nerves on edge—a low, rhythmic thumping, like the beat of a distant drum.
"What is that?" Trench whispered.
Ryan raised a hand, signaling them to stay quiet. He activated the Resonance Analyzer, which immediately began to spike. "Stay alert. We're not alone."
The three agents moved slowly, weapons drawn, scanning the dense forest around them. The thumping sound grew louder, accompanied by a faint vibration in the ground. It was as if something massive was approaching, though no movement could be seen.
"This wasn't in the briefing," Reyes muttered, her voice tight.
Suddenly, the forest ahead of them shimmered, and a figure stepped out of the shadows. It was humanoid, but its features were blurred and shifting, much like the creatures they had faced earlier. However, this one was different. It radiated a strange, palpable energy that made the air around it ripple.
"Hold your fire," Ryan said sharply. "Let's see what it does."
The figure raised one hand, palm facing outward. A wave of energy pulsed from it, causing the trees to sway violently. Trench braced himself, feeling the pressure build in his ears. Then, just as quickly as it had started, the wave dissipated, leaving only an eerie silence.
"What the hell was that?" Reyes hissed.
Before anyone could answer, the figure spoke—its voice a distorted echo, as if multiple people were speaking in unison. "Leave this place. It is not meant for you."
Ryan took a cautious step forward. "We're not here to harm you. We just want to understand what's happening."
The figure tilted its head, as if considering his words. Then, without warning, it began to dissolve, its form breaking apart into wisps of dark energy that faded into the air.
"Well, that was creepy," Reyes said, lowering her weapon. "Any idea what it was?"
Ryan shook his head. "No, but whatever it is, it's intelligent. And it doesn't want us here."
Trench stared at the spot where the figure had stood, his mind racing. There was something familiar about it, something he couldn't quite place. "We need to report this immediately. The Bureau needs to know."
Ryan nodded. "Agreed. Let's move."
They quickened their pace, making their way back to the transport without further incident. But as they loaded up and began the drive back to the Oldest House, Trench couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.
Something was out there, watching, waiting. And next time, it wouldn't be so willing to let them walk away.