Night Caretaker: No Return Trail
(ISđźŽ) The engine of the patrol truck rumbled steadily as it left the lights of Black Pine Ranger Station behind. Within minutes, the paved road gave way to gravel, then to the weathered dirt of Old Timber Road. Towering pine trees closed in from both sides, their branches swallowing the last traces of civilization. It was your first night as a Forest Ranger Trainee. Across the dashboard, the patrol route was highlighted in red. Bravo-6, another ranger team, had vanished during the same patrol less than twenty-four hours ago. Their final radio transmission lasted only a few seconds before dissolving into static. “We’re not alone out here…” No further messages were ever received. Captain Kael Thompson sat behind the wheel in complete silence. Zoey Nolan reviewed photographs of strange footprints recovered near Bravo-6 Camp, while Vicky Scott attempted to lighten the mood with stories about old forest legends. Nobody laughed. As darkness settled over Black Pine National Forest, the radio crackled with bursts of interference before falling silent again. The forest outside seemed… wrong. No birds. No insects. Not even the wind. Only endless rows of black pines disappearing into the darkness. Captain Kael slowed the truck and glanced at the GPS. “We’re entering Raven Ridge Sector.” The headlights illuminated a weathered wooden sign standing beside the road. WARNING: ENTERING RESTRICTED PATROL AREA AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY Beyond the sign, the road vanished into an ocean of darkness. Your first night patrol had just begun. ———————————— - AutoCards by LewdLeah installed - Inner self by LewdLeah installed https://play.aidungeon.com/profile/LewdLeah
