Standing a healthy six feet away from the ominous black gat that loomed before him, Trent would take a slightly nervous puff of the cigarette clasped between his lips. Blowing the smoke out in a soft sigh, he watched as a soup like fog spilled out from between the bars of the gate.
It was a filthy habit, he knew this, and he regretted ever getting hooked on it, but right now, it was serving to sooth his wavering nerve.
Green eyes stared hard at the black gate, glancing only briefly at the Italian words welded to the top of it. Was he really going to do this? Hell yes he would. He was out of options. The wish was his last chance to....well, he needed that wish.
Taking one last puff before dropping the butt on ground and putting it out with his sneaker, Trent would glance over his shoulder, wondering if his team was still going to show up. Or if they had gotten cold feet.
Taking a strawberry flavored breath mint out of his pocket, he popped it in his mouth and checked his watch. There was still an hour before the agreed upon meet up time, he was just early.
Slipping his hands into the pockets of the red hoodie he wore, he tried to be patient and resisted the urge to light another cigarette.

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Theo walked up the path toward the spooky gate, his hands shoved into his pockets. He wore a dark jacket over his shirt, but shivered against a chill that could be coming from fear of the forest, or just the cold wind. He paused and looked up, seeing the shape of someone standing up closer to the gate. This must be one of the team members. Theo blew out a small breath and continued walking until he stood next to his supposed teammate. He was quite a bit shorter than this fellow, and he glanced up at him, before dropping his gaze to the bottom of the gate.

“Hey” He spoke quietly, a little unsure about this older character. “Hope I’m not late.” He had checked the time earlier, and knew very well that he wasn’t late, but he didn’t have much else to say. So he left it at that.

There was something deeply wrong and unsettling about this forest, and it wasn’t just the stories that surrounded it. The massive wall itself radiated danger and darkness, and the sense of death flooded through the gate. These strange sensations always lurked in Theo’s mind, so he had grown used to it. He figured everyone else had as well. He watched the fog spilling from gate as it formed and moved, making strange shapes within its cloudy form.

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Trent had been staring at the entrance of the Malvada forest for what felt like ages, unable to shake the feeling that something was staring right back. It was making his skin crawl.
Starting to get fed up with the sensation, he resorted to his usual way of dealing with his fear. He got pissed.
Muttering curses under his breath, he picked up a stray rock and hurled it through the bars of the gate with all his strength, listening hard as it fell to the ground with a thud, hitting nothing.
Scowling he started to reach for another cig, his hands trembling just the slightest, and nearly jumped out of his skin when a quiet voice spoke up from behind him.
Whirling around with his fist clenched, his green eyes met with the hazel that belonged to the younger kid that had just arrived.

"Jesus, don't you make any noise when you walk? This place is already creepy as hell," he muttered, running his previously fisted hand through his hair and releasing a heavy breath as he did so. Looking back at the kid whom he assumed was one of his teammates, Trent would give him a once over.
"You Theo?" he questioned.

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Theo blinked up at him, seemingly unaffected by the anger that now rolled off of his teammate.

“Yeah, that’s me.” He replied simply. “You’re Trent,” It was not phrased as a question and he continued on. “You alright? We haven’t even gone in yet.” He pointed out, nodding toward the gate. As he stared past the bars something seemed to move in the depths. Theo shivered again, rubbing his hands along his arms. “D’you see that?” He mumbled, still staring through the gate. He suddenly glanced over his shoulder, inhaling sharply, but seeing nothing, he dropped his gaze back to the ground in front of them.

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Stepping forward, Sabine placed her hands on her hips, taking in the intimidating scene ahead. Her gaze swept over the forest, finally landing on two figures that she could only assume were her teammates, barely discernible in the darkness near the gate. She had initially considered embarking on this journey alone to secure all three wishes for herself, but deep down, she knew that wouldn't end well.

With a wave from afar, she called out, "Hey—" Then, jogging up to the two strangers, she continued, "Are you, um...” She paused, glancing at her hand were she had their names scribbled down. “…Trent and Theo? I'm Sabine." Her eyes darted between the two, noticing how on edge they both looked, but granted, they had good reason to be.

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Nodding in confirmation when Theo spoke his name, Trent would shrug his shoulders at the question. "I'm fine but, just being near this place gives me the heebie-jeebies," he muttered, shifting the weight of the large backpack he carried that was full of varying supplies. He started to ask a question, but stopped when the blond suddenly spoke again, asking if he had just seen something. Raising a brow, Trent looked back through the bars of the gate, spying nothing.
Frowning now, he glanced back at Theo. "I didn't see anything, are you ok?" he asked.

The answer would have to wait however, as their third teammate arrived and greeted them.
He gave her the same initial once over that he had Theo at first, idly noting that she was taller then him. "Bingo, i'm Trent, that's Theo," he confirmed, pointing his thumb at their other teammate.

Crossing his arms, he assessed their little team, thinking how crazy it was that he had seen these two around Blackwood before, but had never spoken to them. And now they were about to attempt a trek so dangerous, they very well might not come out of it in one piece. He didn't need to tell them that though, they knew the stories just like he did. He could only wonder what their wishes were.

Clearing his throat, he addressed them both. "I'm glad you guys didn't chicken out on me, but I hope you two are prepared to face whatever we might encounter in there," he took a second to lick his lips, his mouth suddenly feeling dry. "I don't know about y'all but i have nothing to lose, and everything to gain by getting that wish, so I hope we can work together well to reach our goal," he continued.

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Theo glanced back at Trent when he asked the question, but with no intention of ever answering, he turned to the next person to arrive. He lifted his hand in a half wave as Trent introduced them. He pulled his jacket tighter around his shoulders, and folded his arms, once again staring into the gate. He turned back to Trent as he started into his speech. He nodded along absentmindedly, deep in thought. They’d have to get to know each other quickly if they were ever going to be able to get far. Trent seemed fine enough, from the few minutes Theo had spent with him, and Sabine at least looked prepared, but who knew how either might act when faced with the horrors of the forest. Could they even be trusted?

His eyes wandered back to the gate. As much as the billowing fog and unnerving silence acted as a barrier to keep those out, Theo could admit to himself that there was also something there that drew him in, and probably everyone else. It could be the sense of awe that came from the idea of three wishes, but Theo personally felt it was something deeper. He shifted on his feet, moving ever so closer to the gate.

As Trent finished speaking, Theo turned his attention back to the real and living things beside him. His teammates were now in this together, more of less. This was it. If success was the goal they would have to work together, just as Trent had said. He hoped for the sake of everyone, that no one had any dark and alternative motives.

He inhaled slowly, and blew out the breath, waiting in suspense for whoever would take the lead.

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Sabine slid her hands into her pockets, her gaze fixed on the imposing gate ahead. Squinting against the darkness, she muttered to herself, "It's now or never, I guess." Sure, she was nervous, but her adrenaline at the moment masked most of the feeling. It was like a thrilling rollercoaster ride about to begin, the butterflies in her stomach replaced by the anticipation of the unknown. Sabine's heart raced, but she welcomed the rush, her mind focused on the fabled wishes rather than dwelling on her fears.

With a shrug, she turned her attention back to Trent and Theo. “Well, here’s to hoping we end up better than Thaddeus and his team.” As she rummaged in her satchel, she retrieved a flashlight and tapped it a few times until it flickered to life. She aimed the narrow beam of light into the daunting forest, casting an eerie glow on the trees. The faint, guiding light offered some semblance of comfort amidst the looming darkness of the woods.

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Trent's face contorted into a scowl at the mention of Thaddaeus Grimm, and a flash of anger seemed to light his green eyes aflame. He said nothing about it however, only taking a deep breath and forcing his expression to smooth out once more. Sabine was right, it was now or never.
Turning his gaze to the black gate, he stared at it for a moment along with his teammates before finally moving forward.
He lifted a hand and grasped the cold metal bars of the gate, slowly pulling it and flinching at the horrible shrieking noise that greeted them as the rusted hinges protested the movement. The gates were open.

Looking back over his shoulder, Trent gave his teammates a firm nod, and started to walk through the gates, only to stop in his tracks as a different shriek rent the otherwise quiet afternoon.
It was a bloodcurdling scream, one decidedly human in nature, and quickly getting closer by the second, making the hair on the nape of his neck stand on end.
He had just enough to time to back-peddle and step out of the way as another person came hurtling out of the gate. The person tripped and fell, giving them enough time to see that it was a woman. Rachel Pembrook to be exact. She was a history teacher at Blackwood Academy, and had gone into the Malvada forest with her boyfriend, who was nowhere to be seen....She was still screaming in terror as she wrestled to get off the ground, sobbing and crying. Her arms, legs, and face were covered in horrible gashes and strange burns that were still oozing blood. Her clothes ripped, torn and singed and barely covering her. It looked as though some beast had tried to rip her to shreds.

He watched, rooted to the spot, as Rachel got on her feet and looked back at the gate. Unthinkably, her screaming intensified as she seemed to lock eyes with something only she could see.
Before any of them could move, she took off running again. Her screams fading into the gloom as she headed for Blackwood.

Trent just stood there, blinking, his face expressionless even though he was more than a little disturbed.
Suddenly moving, he snatched a cigarette and lighter out of his pocket. He lit up after few moments of struggling to produce a flame due to his trembling fingers, and took a heavy drag, releasing it in a large puff of smoke.
He didn't look back at his teammates, but his face was determined.
"Now or never, right," was the only thing he said as he threw his cig to the ground and stomped it out. Squaring his shoulders, he walked through the gate.

[oop sorry thats so long x.x ]

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As Sabine turned on her flashlight, Theo blinked rapidly, holding up a hand. The light wasn’t all that bright, but it still startled him. He stayed in his spot watch the two, almost feeling like he should just run straight into the forest, but he held back.

Theo still remained at his spot as Trent pulled open the door, and he took a deep breath, about to step up to join him when the scream rang out. He looked left and right. Was that a real scream or the forest trying to stop them before they even stepped a foot through the gate? When Rachel came running through he backed away quickly, staring wide-eyed. He was still backing away as her eyes locked on the invisible thing in the forest, and he searched in vain for what it could be. He turned back to watch her as she sprinted back toward the town. He felt a crazed smile pull at his face and he nearly laughed, but he turned back towards the gate, wiping his face off any emotion and hurried to catch up.

He stopped behind Trent, “You really should quit smoking,” He mentioned. “I’d bet you could run faster then.” He stood at his shoulder, a half step behind, letting the older man and Sabine take the lead.

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Sabine flinched when she saw poor Rachel tearing out of the forest, but just as soon as she appeared, she was gone. With a slightly shaken expression, she shook her head. “Hadn’t she gone in with her boyfriend..?” She mumbled, swiveling her flashlight around to look for any sign of him, but there was nothing. She sighed after finding no clues, then continued through the gate.

She let out a chuckle as she heard Theo correct Trent on his smoking habit. “Sounds like something my mother would say." She teased lightly. However, before she could get too relaxed, strange and unsettling sounds emanated from the forest, a stark reminder of the imminent danger they faced. Sabine fell silent, her playful demeanor giving way to a sense of unease as she continued to walk through the eerie surroundings, driving a pit of worry in her stomach.

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Snorting at Theo's comment and Sabine's teasing, Trent didn't humor either of them with a response. He simply popped one of his strawberry mints into his mouth and pushed onwards. He'd also briefly wondered what had become of Rachel's boyfriend, but had decided not to dwell on it. He was probably just another soul lost to the woods.
Pulling out a compass from the side pocket of his backpack, he started to point it north, but stopped when he realized the needle was just spinning, not pointing an any direction. He shook and tapped it for a second, trying to get it stop, but to no avail. Something in here was interfering with the magnetic field, he knew this for sure because he had checked the blasted compass before they entered the bloody gates.
"Figures," he muttered, putting the currently useless hunk or metal away.
marching forward, he lead the three of them through the thick, soup-like fog in what he hoped was a straight line for several minutes, before they unexpectedly broke through to an area that was strangely devoid of fog. Instead it was covered in a light mist, and the noonday sun shown through the canopy above. It would have been pretty, if it weren't for the sudden sense of hundreds of eyes on him.
Trent glared defiantly into the surrounding redwood trees, ignoring the feeling and keeping it moving, now able to use the sun to tell his direction.
"This isn't all that bad, I thought this whole place would be full of that damn fog, but it looks like its just around the walls," he mused aloud, breaking the eerie silence.

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Theo followed behind the two, sometimes falling a few paces behind before catching up closer. His eyes scanned the terrain around them, searching the fog for anything. He didn’t say anything to Sabine’s comment, and turned a circle, listening to the sounds. When Trent pulled out the compass he picked up his pace to take a peek at the metal object. When he noticed the strange spinning, he fell back again standing still, staring up at the sky. The fog shifted and moved around him, and the sensation of something running across his shoulders made him shudder and hurry once again to catch up.

When they finally broke through the fog, Theo continued past the two, just a few steps and spun back to look at the two. “Seems so…” He muttered in response to Trent. He paused, his eyes drifting over the shoulders of his teammates. He stared past them, where the shape of the fog they had just left behind shifted and moved. He saw it form the shape of something vaguely human, but withered and gaunt. Its limbs were stretched, creaking fingers drifting near the ground. Theo stared at this shape, but in a second it was gone, the fog drifting across it and blurring it away. Theo huffed and turned away, brushing a hand across his forehead. He stared instead to the fog-less forest, hoping to see something actually real for once.

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As they pressed on through the thick, foggy terrain, Sabine felt a surreal change when they suddenly emerged into an area bathed in soft mist and dappled sunlight. It offered a brief respite from the oppressive fog, and she couldn't deny the ethereal quality of the moment. Her gaze flickered to the surrounding redwoods, uncomfortably shifting with the feeling of unseen eyes on their little group.

Suddenly feeling a bit parched, she reached for the green canteen fastened to her satchel. However, once the liquid touched her tongue, her face contorted in disgust. Sabine quickly turned her head to the side and spat out the strange, foul-tasting substance.

Confused and somewhat repulsed, she tipped the canteen over, and a thick, black ooze plopped out onto the forest floor. "What the hell..." Sabine muttered, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "I could've sworn I filled this with nothing but water before we entered." She looked back at the two with wide eyes, silently wondering if she was the only one seeing this... knowing she very well could be hallucinating already, just as the stories had warned.

Driven by curiosity, Sabine couldn't resist the urge to bend down for a closer look at the bizarre substance. Her heart raced as she observed it, but to her horror the liquid started to bubble and writhe, sending unsettling shivers down her spine. Without a second thought, Sabine hastily straightened up and kicked some loose dirt over the mysterious substance, as if trying to bury the unnerving sight. She then retreated, her footsteps quickening as she hastened to catch up with Trent and Theo. Her skin was still crawling as she fell into step behind them.

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Trent glanced over his shoulder at his teammates, and noticed that Theo was looking intently at something behind them. He looked into the fog but did not see anything once again. He wondered what the younger guy was seeing and was reminded of the encounter with Rachel. She to had seen something the rest of them were unable to, and it had terrified her. Theo on the on the other hand, did not appear to be affected by whatever he had been looking at.
He was distracted from his thoughts however, when Sabine suddenly gagged and spit out her dink, he watched her dump out what looked like perfectly good water to him, and then kicked dirt over the puddle of liquid, making his brow rise. "You ok? did you forget to rinse the dish soap out of your canteen or something?" he questioned.

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