Chapter 3: Midnight Escape

The clock struck midnight, and Eshan’s heart raced as he quietly slipped out of his house. The air was thick with humidity, the night still and heavy, as though the world itself was holding its breath. The streets were deserted, and the only sound was the faint rustling of leaves in the distance. His phone vibrated in his pocket. It was a text from Krishna.

“You ready? I’ll be there in five.”

Eshan typed a quick reply and glanced back at his house one last time. He felt a pang of doubt, but he pushed it away. This was his chance to do something different, to break free from the feeling of stagnation that had consumed him after his NEET failure. He took a deep breath and made his way to the designated meeting spot.

Moments later, Krishna’s old Jeep appeared, its headlights cutting through the darkness. The engine rumbled as it came to a stop in front of Eshan.

“Let’s get this over with,” Krishna said, his tone flat but laced with excitement. He was always the practical one, the one who kept his emotions in check.

Radha was already in the backseat, her backpack stuffed with supplies. She leaned forward with a grin. “I can’t believe we’re actually doing this. This is going to be epic!”

“Epic?” Krishna muttered, shaking his head. “I’m just here for the adventure. Epic is a word for people who don’t get eaten by wild animals.”

Eshan climbed into the passenger seat and looked at the map one last time. The route was clear, though it seemed to take them deep into uncharted territory. He couldn’t help but feel a flutter of nervousness in his stomach.

“Alright,” Krishna said, starting the Jeep. “Buckle up. Here we go.”

The vehicle lurched forward, bouncing slightly as it sped down the deserted road, cutting through the thick forest that seemed to stretch on endlessly. The moonlight barely broke through the canopy of trees, leaving the forest floor in almost complete darkness. The only illumination came from the headlights and the weak beam of the flashlight Eshan had placed on the dashboard.

The further they went, the more the atmosphere seemed to change. The quiet of the night was replaced by the eerie sounds of the jungle—branches snapping in the distance, the faint hoot of an owl, the rustling of leaves underfoot. A chill crept up Eshan’s spine, and he glanced nervously at the dense woods on either side of them.

Radha broke the silence. “Do you hear that?” she asked, her voice low, almost a whisper.

Eshan strained his ears. There it was again—a low growl, distant but unmistakable. His heart skipped a beat.

“Probably just some animals,” Krishna said dismissively, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly as he kept his eyes fixed on the road ahead. “Nothing to worry about.”

But the growl seemed to get louder, closer. Eshan’s pulse quickened, and he exchanged a look with Radha. Her face was pale, her eyes wide with concern. They both knew something was off.

“I don’t like this,” Eshan muttered, his voice barely audible.

Krishna glanced at him briefly, a hint of annoyance in his eyes. “You’re imagining things. It’s just the jungle. You’re not going to get eaten by anything.”

But then, as if to prove Eshan’s point, the growling noise grew louder, closer—like something was following them. The hairs on the back of Eshan’s neck stood up, and he couldn’t help but look over his shoulder. But the rearview mirror only reflected darkness.

“Krishna, speed up!” Radha urged, her voice shaking.

Krishna’s eyes narrowed, but he pressed his foot down on the accelerator, pushing the Jeep faster through the winding roads. The trees seemed to press in on them from all sides, casting long shadows that danced in the headlights.

Suddenly, there was a loud thunk, and the Jeep jolted violently. The vehicle lurched to one side before coming to a screeching halt.

“What the hell was that?” Krishna shouted, his voice cracking with tension. He immediately threw the Jeep in reverse, trying to back up, but the tires spun uselessly against something solid. The vehicle was stuck.

Eshan’s heart pounded in his chest as he looked out the window. In the faint light, he saw something large and black—an enormous fallen tree had blocked their path. They were trapped.

“Great,” Krishna muttered, slamming his fist against the steering wheel. “Now we’re stuck in the middle of nowhere.”

“Do you think it’s safe to stay here?” Radha asked, her voice tight with fear.

Eshan swallowed hard. “We can’t stay here. We don’t know what’s out there, and if whatever was following us gets any closer…”

Krishna looked out the window, his eyes scanning the darkness. “I’ll see if I can get us out. Stay put.”

But as he stepped out of the Jeep, a piercing howl echoed through the trees, sending a shiver down Eshan’s spine. The growling had turned into something far more menacing—something large was out there, and it was getting closer.

“We’re not staying here,” Eshan said, his voice firm. “We need to go on foot. Now.”

Krishna hesitated, then reluctantly nodded. “Fine. But if I get eaten by some wild animal, I’m blaming you.”

Eshan didn’t have time to respond. He grabbed his backpack, slinging it over his shoulder, and motioned for Radha to follow him. The three of them quickly abandoned the Jeep, stepping into the dense jungle. The air was thick with the smell of earth and decay, and every step seemed to echo in the silence. Their flashlights flickered against the overwhelming darkness, casting long shadows that seemed to move with them.

“I don’t like this,” Radha whispered, her voice trembling. “This doesn’t feel right. We should have stayed with the Jeep.”

Eshan glanced over at her. “We’ll be fine. Just stay close.”

But deep down, he wasn’t so sure.

The jungle was alive with strange sounds—crickets chirping, leaves rustling, branches creaking. But there was something else, too. Something that didn’t belong. A distant howl echoed again, followed by a rustling in the underbrush.

“I don’t think we’re alone,” Eshan murmured.

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Author’s Note: I hope you’re enjoying the adventure so far! What do you think is following them in the jungle? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!