The trees in that forest locked together overhead, weaving a canopy so thick that sunlight never reached the ground. Even satellites could barely make out what lay underneath. People called it gloomy, menacing, even cursed, but none of those words could capture the dread it inspired. Whatever entered those woods never came out. People only had to mention its name to feel their skin crawl.

Now, Taylor faced that nightmare, his feet perched on the brink. One slip, and he would be gone. Surviving the 500-meter fall was out of the question, but even if he did, the forest was waiting. It hid venomous snakes, unseen creatures, clouds of toxic mist, and who knew what other horrors that had never seen the light. A single misstep meant there was no coming back.

Panic swept through the room like a sudden storm when Jason finally spoke. Nobody could shake the feeling of dread that coiled tight in their chests. The sight was too much for Emmanuel. His legs gave way, and he swayed, nearly collapsing.

“Dad!” Lance rushed to Emmanuel’s side and caught him before he fell. He tried to sound steady, but desperation colored every word. “You can’t lose it now. Cole and Jason won’t stop until they get Taylor back. He’s coming home. I promise, we’re not losing him.”

His reassurance didn’t make the fear any less real.

Emmanuel knew Cole and Jason would tear the world apart to bring Taylor back, but nothing could erase the sight of Taylor trapped on that ledge. That image would haunt him for the rest of his life.

All the strength drained from Emmanuel’s body after just one look at the screen. His heart raced so violently that it nearly burst, his face turned as pale as paper, and he struggled to catch his breath.

Noticing how frail he looked, Elliana stepped up and pressed a heart pill to his lips before turning to Lance. “Get your dad out of here and let him rest. The rescue’s on us now.”

Lance nodded without hesitation. He put his faith in Elliana and his cousins. Right now, his father was his only concern. Without looking back, he led Emmanuel away from the chaos.

сρ αν﹒

Standing beside Cole, Jason glared at the phone screen, his fists clenched so tight that his knuckles went white. There was no warmth in his stare, only an icy resolve that showed in the sharp, dangerous glint of his eyes.

Suddenly, a man’s chilling voice crackled through the phone, dripping with cruel amusement. “Cole, do you see that? Your cousin is hanging on our every word. Tell him to move, and he moves. Tell him to stop, and he obeys. He’s got more loyalty than a dog.”

The man kept himself hidden, never once letting his face slip into view. Whether he stood alone or not, nobody could tell. Only Taylor appeared in the frame, caught in the spotlight.

Frozen in place, Taylor resembled a puppet whose strings had been cut. His eyes, flat and empty, stared right through everything in front of him.

As if to prove his point, the man issued an order. “Taylor, take half a step forward.”

No hesitation showed in Taylor’s face as he slid a half step closer to the edge, oblivious to the danger waiting for him.

That single movement sent a jolt of panic through Cole and the others.

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