The road ahead twisted through the dense forest, the trees growing taller and darker as the team ventured deeper into the anomaly's territory. Ryan had pulled the transport to a stop near an old ranger's station to recheck their gear and sync their Resonance Analyzer for updated readings.
"This area's got the strongest resonance levels we've seen yet," Reyes said, studying the scanner's flickering display. "Whatever's out there, it's not shy."
"No room for error," Ryan said. He adjusted his weapon's sight, then looked at Trench. "You good? We're counting on you to stay sharp."
Trench nodded, forcing himself to focus. "I'm good. Let's get it done."
As they moved out on foot, the atmosphere shifted. The air felt charged, heavy with anticipation. The Resonance Analyzer's hum grew louder, almost as if it were reacting to an unseen force. Shadows seemed to shift in the corner of their vision, and a low, distant sound—like the rumble of a train engine—echoed through the forest.
"Hear that?" Reyes asked, her voice low.
"Yeah," Trench said, gripping his weapon tighter. "It's coming from up ahead."
The path opened into a clearing, where the remnants of an old train station stood shrouded in mist. The air felt electric, and the Resonance Analyzer's readings spiked off the charts.
"Stay alert," Ryan ordered, his voice steady but tense. "We're not alone."
The shadows around them seemed to move with purpose, and a familiar unease settled over Trench. He could feel it again—that sense of being watched, of being drawn toward something he couldn't yet see. Whatever awaited them in the station, it was only the beginning.