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Author's Note: This is a story I've tried and failed to write many times with many different characters and situations. Then one day I told myself to just sit down and write it. I'm not sure where the idea of making them Scouts came from but it was the one that stuck and works. This is a fast paced adventure story. It was also written over several days with a few stops here and there. If anyone sees something, please point it out to me. There could be a hiccup here or there. This is only the first part. I'm gonna try writing something else before getting into the second part later.
 

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“Come on, Quinn, you're the best climber in the troop!" called out Jake, his voice echoing through the gym. Quinn Harper, a lanky 13-year-old with a mop of unruly hair and a smattering of freckles, gripped the rock wall with determination, his eyes fixed on the next hold.

Quinn's heart raced as he scaled higher, the rubber soles of his sneakers squeaking against the faux rock surface. He had always felt a strange sense of belonging up here, where the world fell away and only the challenge remained. But today, the excitement was tainted with a heavy secret, one that had been growing inside him like a seedling reaching for the light.

"You got this, Quinn!" encouraged Alex, his best friend since kindergarten. Alex had noticed the changes in Quinn over the past year—his voice getting softer, his skin smoothing out—but didn't know the whole truth. Quinn took a deep breath and pushed off, reaching for the next grip. He wished he could tell Alex everything, but the fear of losing his friendship was too great.

The gym door swung open, and in strode Mr. Harris, their burly Scoutmaster. His eyes widened when he saw Quinn climbing, his face a mix of surprise and admiration. "Impressive, Harper," he bellowed. "Looks like you're more than ready for the Wilderness Scout Trip next week."

The Wilderness Scouts weren't your typical boy scouts. They didn't spend their weekends tying knots or memorizing the ingredients to s'mores. Their focus was on the raw, unfiltered art of survival. For three days, they'd be thrown into the depths of the forest, no parents, no phones, and certainly no hand-holds. The aim was clear: to strip away the comforts of the modern world and reveal the true nature of each boy. It was a rite of passage, a chance to prove themselves, and to Quinn, a chance to escape his secret a little longer.

There was always a catch to it.

"We'll make men out of your scrawny wimps" chortled Mr. Harris. "Quinn will lead the charge. Right Quinn?"

Quinn chuckled but pretended he didn't hear.

The irony wasn't lost on him in the least. Here Mr. Harris was going on about whipping them into shape to be manly men and Quinn was the farthest from. He'd been on hormone blockers for a year now. His puberty was stunted and he definitely wasn't becoming a man.
 
 
The climb grew more intense, and sweat beaded on Quinn's forehead, trickling down his neck. His thoughts raced faster than his heart. He'd been hiding his secret from everyone—his friends, his troop, his teachers. His parents had found out a year ago, but they had agreed to keep it between them until he was ready to tell the world. But the Wilderness Scout Trip was approaching, and the pressure of being in such close quarters with the other boys was giving him anxiety.

As he reached the top, the cheers of his friends echoed through the gym. He couldn't ignore the knot in his stomach that tightened with each step back down to the floor. Tonight, at the pre-trip meeting, his parents were going to tell everyone. They had decided it was best to get it out in the open, to avoid any misunderstandings or conflicts during their three-day adventure. Quinn had hoped they'd wait a bit longer, but his mother's insistent voice of reason the night before had convinced him it was time.

At the bottom of the rock wall, Alex was there to slap him on the back. "That was epic, Quinn! You're gonna crush it over the next three days." The camaraderie was palpable, but Quinn couldn't shake the dread that clung to him like a second skin. He forced a smile, trying to push aside the fear of his friends' reactions. Would they still look at him the same way? Would they understand?

Quinn and Alex had been inseparable since kindergarten. He was close with the other guys but the bond between him and Alex was like brotherhood. He feared Alex wouldn't understand and abandon him. He could handle losing his friendship with the other guy but not with Alex.

"Hey, Quinn, you okay?" Alex looked at him with genuine concern.

Quinn nodded, his eyes dropping to the floor. "Yeah, I'm just... nervous about the trip, you know?"

"No need to be nervous," said Charlie as he came lumbering over. "You're Super Scout."

The nickname hung in the air, a reminder of Quinn's over-compensation. His need to be seen as the best, the strongest, the bravest was all a facade to hide his true self. Ever since he could remember, he felt like a girl trapped in a boy's body. The only way to deal with it was to outshine everyone else in every conceivable way. It had earned him respect and admiration, sure, but at what cost? He'd pushed himself to the brink of exhaustion trying to be the epitome of masculinity, all to keep his secret safe.
 
 
As the boys packed up their gear, the usual banter began to fill the gym. Jake, the ringleader of the group, started in with his latest crush. "Did you guys see the new girl in math class? She's totally into me," he bragged, flexing his non-existent biceps.

Kurt and Ben, the loyal sidekicks, snickered and added their own exaggerated stories of romantic conquests. The topic of girls was a favorite among the group, a way to prove their burgeoning manhood. Quinn's heart sank a little lower with every snort and elbow nudge. He felt like an alien in a conversation that was so deeply ingrained in their identities.

The banter grew more intense as they left the gym, their laughter echoing through the empty hallways. It was the kind of noise that could only come from a group of teenage boys who hadn't yet learned the weight of the world. Quinn lagged behind, the heaviness of his secret weighing on his shoulders. Alex noticed and fell back to walk beside him.

"Ignore them," he said, gently squeezing his friend's shoulder.

Quinn nodded again but the words didn't offer much comfort. The weight of the secret felt like a boulder, too heavy to shrug off with a simple nod.

When he finally stepped through the front door of his home, the comforting scent of his mother's cooking wafted through the hallways. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. His heart was racing like it was still climbing the rock wall. He knew the conversation tonight wasn't going to be easy, but he couldn't ignore it. It was like a storm cloud that had been hovering over him for months, and it was finally about to break.

Quinn's room was a sanctuary of sorts, plastered with posters of adventurous landscapes and filled with the trappings of his Wilderness Scout life: a tent, a sleeping bag, and a collection of camping gear that could rival a small outdoors store. He threw his backpack onto the bed and headed straight to his desk. The second bag, his "survival" bag, lay half-packed in the corner. It was his personal project, filled with items that went beyond the typical scouting checklist—things he hoped would never be necessary, like a small sewing kit for emergency repairs or a compass that could double as a mirror. He'd been meticulously preparing it since he'd first heard about the trip, each item chosen with care and purpose. It was his way of controlling the uncontrollable.

He sat down heavily in his chair, his eyes landing on a framed photo of him, Alex, and the rest of the troop from their last camping trip. They were all smiles and dirt, not a care in the world. But Quinn knew that tonight, everything could change. He couldn't shake the feeling that this trip was going to be different, that the very fabric of his world was about to shift. It was a mix of excitement and terror, a cocktail of emotions that left his stomach in knots.
 
 
A couple of hours later, he and his parents were in the car on the way to Mr. Harris' for the meeting.

The living room of Mr. Harris' house was a sea of green and brown—the colors of the Wilderness Scout uniforms—parents and scouts alike sitting in a circle, the air thick with anticipation. The room went quiet as Quinn and his parents entered. The Scoutmaster cleared his throat and began the meeting with a nod to Quinn. His mother's eyes searched his, full of love and reassurance, as his father took a deep breath and started to speak.

Mr. Harper's voice was steady, yet Quinn could hear the hint of pride and fear. "As some of you may know, Quinn has been going through something quite personal over the past year. Quinn is transgender, and we have been working with doctors to make sure he's as comfortable as possible." He paused, allowing the words to settle like dust after an explosion. Quinn's heart hammered in his chest, his palms sweaty. He'd known this moment was coming, but it didn't make it any easier.

The room was a vacuum of silence. The only sounds were the faint ticking of the clock and the rustling of parents shifting in their seats, uncomfortable with the revelation. Quinn's eyes darted around the room, searching for any sign of understanding, but all he found was confusion and surprise. Some parents exchanged glances, others studied their hands, and a few stared openly, their expressions a mix of disbelief and curiosity. Mr. Harris' face remained unreadable, his eyes locked onto Quinn, as if trying to discern the truth of the words he had just heard.

One by one, the adults began to murmur, their voices tentative and awkward. They offered words of support, their smiles forced and eyes evasive. It was clear that not everyone was ready for this revelation. Quinn's heart sank further with each pat on the back and awkward clap on the shoulder. He knew the truth behind their faux encouragement. They were worried about their own sons, about how this would affect the dynamics of the troop, about the unknown.

But amidst the murmurs, there was one voice that remained silent—Jake's. His eyes, usually filled with mischief and bravado, were cold and calculating. Quinn had seen that look before, in the schoolyard when someone didn't fit in, when someone was different. It was a look that promised trouble. Quinn's stomach clenched, and he wished the floor would swallow him whole.

The meeting dragged on, but Quinn barely heard the instructions for the trip. His mind was racing, replaying every conversation he'd had with Jake, trying to find a clue to what he might be thinking. His parents' faces were a mask of stoic support, but he could see the hate in their eyes too.

"It's going to be fine," whispered Alex as the room cleared out. His grip was firm and reassuring, a beacon in the storm of confusion. "They just need time to process."

Quinn nodded, his eyes still glued to the floor. "I know." But he didn't believe it. The silence from Jake was deafening.

Alex's hand squeezed tighter, a silent promise of unwavering support. It was a comfort that Quinn clung to like a lifeline. "Look, if anyone gives you crap, I've got your back," he murmured, his voice barely audible.
 
 
The next day, true to his word, Alex was the only one who reached out. The other guys had gone silent, their group chat a graveyard of unread messages and unanswered calls. It was like Quinn had been erased from their lives overnight. He felt like an outcast, a ghost haunting the halls of his own school. His heart ached with the weight of their silence, but he knew he had to keep moving forward. So, he swallowed his pride and focused on the one person who hadn't abandoned him.

They spent the day gaming in Alex's basement, the familiar glow of the computer screens washing over them. The digital battles they waged on their games were a stark contrast to the very real one Quinn faced in his real life. The clank of swords and the roar of dragons drowned out the whispers and stares from the schoolyard. It was a temporary reprieve, but it was enough to make him feel almost normal again. They didn't talk about the meeting or the trip, instead choosing to lose themselves in the fantasy worlds that had always been their escape.

Alex broke the silence, his thumbs pausing mid-combo on his game controller. "You know," he began, not taking his eyes off the screen, "I've always kind of known."

Quinn froze, her own controller hovering in the air. "What do you mean?" Her voice was tentative, hopeful yet fearful of the revelation to come.

Alex took a deep breath, his eyes still focused on the screen. "It's the little things," he said. "The way you sit, the way you laugh, the way you look at the world." He paused, swiveling his chair to finally meet Quinn's gaze. "And the way you push your hair behind your ear. It's always been a giveaway."

Quinn felt a warmth spread through her chest. She hadn't realized Alex had noticed the subtle changes in her demeanor, the way she was becoming more comfortable in her own skin. "You're okay with it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alex nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, I am. You're still you, you know?" He paused, his thumbs resuming their dance on the game controller. "But I gotta admit, I've had some questions."

Quinn felt a weight lift. Alex knew. He really knew, and it seemed like he was okay with it. "You can ask me anything," she said, her voice stronger now. "I'll tell you everything."
 
 
They talked for hours, their words a tapestry of curiosity, understanding, and friendship. Alex fired question after question, and Quinn answered each one with honesty and grace. They talked about names, pronouns, and what the future might hold. Alex was a sponge, soaking up every piece of information, eager to be a good ally. The conversation flowed naturally, as if they were discussing the latest comic book release rather than Quinn's deepest, most personal secret.

The sun began to set, casting long shadows across the room, and it was then that Quinn realized she had forgotten to check the time. She looked at Alex, the corners of her eyes crinkling with a smile. "I guess it's time for me to head home," she said, standing up from the chair.

Alex gave her an awkward but welcomed hug. 
 
The day of the Wilderness Scout Trip had finally arrived, and the tension was palpable as Quinn woke up with the first light of dawn. She packed her bags with meticulous care, ensuring that every item was accounted for. Her father, a man of few words, had insisted on driving her to the school. His eyes were filled with a mix of pride and fear as he handed her the bag filled with food and supplies. He had only just begun to accept her for who she was, and the thought of her facing the wild with a group of boys was more than he could bear.

"Sweetie, you could, I mean we could..." he stammered over his words.

She sighed and grabbed his hand. "It's fine, Dad. I'll be ok, and besides, Alex is there"

Mr. Harper said nothing but that didn't reassure her. He wasn't just scared of what the boys might do to her. He was scared of Alex too. He'd seen the way that boy had been staring at Quinn lately. Alex was a good kid and smart but he was still a boy. Alex had seen it and had a much longer time to process it than the other boys. At this age---with raging hormones---Alex was a different kind of threat. He just hoped he wasn't right and the boy would be on his best behavior.

Quinn took a deep breath, trying to ignore the nausea churning in her stomach. She'd been looking forward to this trip for so long, a chance to escape the confines of school and the whispers that had been following her since the meeting. Now, it felt like a trap, a minefield she had to navigate with every step.
 
 
The bus was already loaded with the boys' laughter and the smell of campfire-smoked clothes. They were all in their uniforms, looking like a pack of wolves ready to conquer the wilderness. When Quinn approached, the laughter died down, and the silence was as deafening as a gunshot. The boys shifted, creating a space around her like she was contagious. Jake, Ben, and Kurt watched her with a glint in their eyes that spoke of something brewing. It was a look she'd seen before in the schoolyard, and it never meant anything good.

"Hey, Quinn," Charlie said, his voice a stark contrast to the quiet that had settled. He looked genuinely apologetic, his eyes avoiding hers. "Look, I don't know what's going on with those guys, but I just want to say sorry for the other day... you know, the dumbness."

Quinn nodded, appreciating the effort. "It's cool, Charlie."

Mr. Harris, standing at the front of the bus, said nothing to her but kept looking her way, his eyes narrowed. His grumbling was like the rumble of distant thunder, hinting at the storm to come. He had been a rock of support during her transition, but she could feel his tension now. The secret was out, and it was clear he wasn't sure how to handle it. His discomfort was palpable, and she wondered if he was second-guessing his decision to let her lead the trip.

Quinn took her seat near the front of the bus, the cold plastic a stark contrast to the warmth of her home. Alex sat next to her, a silent sentinel in this uncharted territory. Charlie took the seat in front, turning around occasionally to offer a nervous smile. She knew he was trying to bridge the gap, but it was like trying to cross a chasm with a piece of thread.

The bus rumbled to life, and the diesel fumes filled the air as it lurched forward. The scenery outside the window grew greener, the concrete jungle of their suburban lives giving way to the vast, untamed wilderness. Each bump in the road sent a jolt through Quinn's body, a reminder of the unpredictability that lay ahead.
 
 
The bus pulled up to the drop-off point, a clearing surrounded by a wall of trees so dense it seemed to swallow the light. Willow Glades Summer Camp loomed in the distance, a cluster of wooden structures that looked more like a ghost town than a place of fun and adventure. Other buses were already there, unloading their cargo of eager kids, ready for their weekly Summer Camp activities.

That didn't concern them though.

Mr. Harris, his face a portrait of determination, marched them to the edge of the forest. The shadows grew darker as the trees closed in around them, and the sounds of civilization grew fainter. The scent of pine and damp earth filled Quinn's nostrils, a stark contrast to the sterile air of the school bus. She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the scent of adventure.

"Alright, Scouts," Mr. Harris boomed, his voice cutting through the quiet. "This is it. The real world. For the next three days, you're going to be tested. You're going to face challenges that will push you to your limits, and you're going to come out the other side stronger for it." His eyes scanned the group, lingering on Quinn for a beat too long. "Remember, we leave no one behind."

The group exchanged glances, some nervous, some excited, but all feeling the weight of the unknown. They donned their packs, and Quinn felt the heaviness of her secret, now a burden shared with everyone she knew. She took a deep breath and stepped forward, her boots sinking into the mulch as she led the way into the forest.
 
 
The trail grew narrow, and the canopy of leaves above them thickened, casting a dappled pattern of light and shade on the ground. The rustle of small animals and the distant call of birds were the only sounds to break the silence. Quinn's mind raced with thoughts of the trip ahead, her friendship with Alex, and the looming confrontation with Jake. She had to keep it together, not just for herself but for the troop that was now her responsibility.

"Why are you leading us?" snapped Jake from behind.

Quinn sighed without turning around. "Because Mr. Harris put me in charge weeks ago."

"That was before you became a freak!" snapped Jake, starting.

Alex rushed between them, his eyes flashing. "Back off, Jake!"

The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

Quinn grabbed Alex, pulling him back. "It's not worth it, Alex," She then looked at Jake. "Two minutes into being left alone and you're starting this shit. We're supposed to be working together..."

Jake grunted. "I don't take orders from freaks."

"Yeah don't get your panties in a twist" chuckled Ben.

"Or do you not wear those yet?" added Kurt.

Quinn wanted to punch him but fought back the urge.

A moment later, an annoyed Jake stomped past them, slamming his shoulder into Alex. Ben and Kurt followed. They tried to slam into Quinn but she was quick on her feet and side-stepped them. Ben almost fell over Kurt but they caught themselves. Then they glared at her and continued followed Jake.

Charlie wandered over to Alex and Quinn. "That was tense"

Alex nodded, his eyes still on Jake's back. "Yeah, it was"

"We should get going," Quinn said, her voice firm but shaky. "We can't let this ruin the trip."

Alex nodded, his fists unclenching. "You're right," he said. "Let's just focus on the survival stuff."

The three of them fell into a rhythm, scanning the underbrush for firewood and checking their compasses to ensure they stayed on the right path. The tension with Jake and his cronies was a constant throb in the background, but they did their best to ignore it. The wilderness was a living, breathing entity around them, and it demanded their full attention.

Quinn couldn't help but feel a sense of isolation as she led Alex and Charlie through the dense foliage. They were her friends, sure, but the weight of her new existence made her feel like she was on a different wavelength. She knew that, for them, this was just another adventure, but for her, it was so much more. It was a chance to prove herself, to show that she was as much a part of this world as they were.

As the light began to wane, the three of them stumbled upon a clearing that looked like it had been plucked straight out of a storybook. The sun pierced the canopy in shafts of golden light, illuminating a perfect circle of green grass, surrounded by trees that whispered secrets in the breeze. It was the kind of place that made you want to drop your pack and stay forever.

But as they began to clear the area and set up their tents, they heard the crunch of branches and the rustle of leaves. Quinn's heart sank as Jake and his cronies emerged from the underbrush. They had found the same spot. The air grew tense as the two groups eyed each other warily, like rival packs of animals staking their claim on the same piece of territory.

"Look I don't want to fight" said Quinn then she pointed at the size of the clearing. "Its big enough for all of us"

Jake grunted but said nothing more.

Quinn and Alex began setting up their tent in one corner of the clearing, their movements swift and efficient from months of practice. Charlie helped too, his eyes darting nervously towards Jake's group. They had set up camp across the clearing, the gap between them a stark symbol of the rift in their troop.

Alex had been unusually quiet since the confrontation with Jake. Quinn knew he was just as bothered by it as she was, but she couldn't find the right words to comfort him. They had always been a team, but now she felt like she was fighting this battle alone.

There was a low rumble off in the distance. Quinn looked up at the clouds, they were started to turn gray. She frowned. This wasn't good.

"Put some plastic sheets under the tents" she instructed Charlie. "Looks like it might rain".

Charlie nodded, pulling the sheets out of their collective packs.

"I'll get some fire wood" said Alex, brushing the dirt off his bare knees.

"Make it fast" said Quinn, the clouds were foreboding.

Alex nodded and took off into the woods, the sound of his steps fading into the distance. Quinn turned to Charlie, her eyes scanning the clearing. "Keep an eye on the tents"

Charlie looked at the clouds, shivering. "The weather report said it was supposed to be clear for at least five days. Where did this come from?"

Quinn shrugged. "That's weather for you."

Though the sight of it scared her a little. Where did it come from? She'd seen the radar, this was nowhere in sight.

Quinn's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of thunder rumbling in the distance. The clouds that had been a mere whisper of gray now rolled in like a dark army, swallowing the sun whole. The temperature dropped, sending a shiver down her spine.

"We need to find shelter," she said urgently, her eyes scanning the clearing. The open space that had once seemed so inviting now felt eerily exposed. The tents would offer little protection from the storm that was fast approaching. "Maybe we should head to that summer camp?"

"But we're not supposed to leave the forest," Charlie protested, his voice quivering slightly. "It's against the rules."

Quinn chewed her lip, the thunder now a constant drumbeat in the background. "Rules are for when the weather isn't trying to kill us," she said firmly. "We can't stay here."

She turned and shouted for Jake.

Jake's group had almost finished setting up their tent. Quinn's heart pounded in her chest as she approached him. She could feel the weight of his stare, the hostility in the air was palpable.

"Jake," she called out, her voice firm.

He looked up, his expression a mix of defiance and wariness. But as she stepped closer, she saw something flicker in his eyes—understanding, perhaps even fear. The thunder boomed again, and the wind picked up, sending leaves swirling around their feet like miniature tornadoes.

"We can't stay here," she repeated, her voice firm but not unkind. "The storm's going to hit hard, and we need shelter."

"The Summer Camp?' he asked, she nodded.

"Its our best chance. These tents won't cut it" she said, as the wind whipped around her.

Jake nodded slowly, the gravity of the situation sinking in. He knew she was right. The storm was coming in fast and their tents were no match for the impending fury. He turned to his group, his expression unreadable. "Pack up, we're moving."

Charlie came over. "We gotta get Alex."

She cursed, momentarily forgetting he went to get fire wood.

"Ok, you guys start packing up, I'll go find Alex" she said, determined.

The forest grew darker with every step she took. The rain was coming down in sheets now, soaking her through to the bone. She could barely see a few feet in front of her, the lightning providing the only illumination. Quinn felt the first pangs of regret for not telling Alex to wait for her. She was the leader, she should have been more vigilant.

The storm grew more intense with every second, the thunder crashing around her like an angry god's cymbals. The lightning was blinding, painting the forest in stark black and white strobes. Each flash revealed a new landscape, trees that had been friendly sentinels now looked like twisted ghosts reaching out to grab her. Her heart pounded in her chest, drowning out the sound of her own footsteps.

Quinn shouted Alex's name into the tempest, but her voice was swallowed by the wind. She squinted through the rain, trying to spot any sign of her friend. The forest was a blur of motion, branches whipping around her like the arms of a furious beast. There was massively loud boom of thunder a moment later, so loud it as if God had clapped in her ear. It was followed moment later by a blinding flash of light.

The light was so intense, she stumbled backwards and darkness found her.

*****

When she woke again, it was daylight. She was groggy and confused. The rain and storm was long gone but she was strangely dry. She sat up, trying to get a sense of her surroundings. The ground beneath her was soft and covered in a layer of moss that seemed to glow with a faint bioluminescence. The air smelled sweet and fresh, untouched by the pollution of the city. The trees around her were massive, their trunks thick as ancient pillars supporting an emerald canopy that blocked out the sky.

She'd never seen anything like it. It was almost as if she was in an entirely different forest. That was impossible though. Taking stuck to make sure nothing was broken, she used a nearby tree to help herself to her feet.

Her hand brushed against something unfamiliar. She looked down and saw two small mounds of flesh under her shirt. Her mind raced. Breasts? She touched them again, the shock causing her hand to tremble. It couldn't be. But it was. Quinn's eyes filled with a mix of disbelief and fear. She was only on hormone blockers. Things like breasts shouldn't be growing on her chest and yet here they were, for all the world to see.

Her heart hammering in her chest, she reached down to the space between her legs. There was something missing, something vital. It was gone, her thing was gone. All her dreams, all her desires. She was exhilarated but she was terrified. How had this happened? Surely blockers couldn't do something like this and was years away from actual hormones. Yet, there was no denying the evidence. She was definitely no longer a boy anymore.

Quinn took a deep breath and forced herself to focus. Panic was not going to help her now. She had to find Alex and the others. Maybe this was some kind of hallucination from a head injury or something she ate. Maybe it was a dream. Maybe...

She didn't let herself think that last thought. 

Quinn took a step forward, her new body feeling alien and unbalanced. The forest was eerily quiet, the usual symphony of bird calls and rustling leaves replaced with a thick, unsettling silence. The trees loomed over her, their boughs twisting in ways that didn't seem possible, like the limbs of a living creature. She tried to shake off the feeling of unease, telling herself it was just shock.

Calling out for Alex, her voice sounded small and lost in the vast expanse of the unknown. She listened for any response, but all she heard was the faint echo of her own words. She looked around for any sign of him, but the forest remained stubbornly unchanged. The mossy floor was unblemished by any footsteps, and the trees stood sentinel, offering no clues to her whereabouts.

Her heart raced with the realization that she was alone, in a place she didn't understand. The thought of facing this new reality without her best friend was more than she could bear. Quinn took a deep breath, steeling herself against the rising tide of panic. She had to stay focused. Alex was resourceful; he had to be nearby. If he wasn't, he'd be back at camp. If not there...he could take care of himself.

Her thoughts swirling, Quinn turned back the way she'd come, retracing her steps as best she could. The forest looked different now, the trees seemingly closer together, the path she'd taken no longer there. The more she backtracked, the more she realized this was not the same forest. The trees had a strange greenish back and the moss below her feet had definitely not been there before. Grabbing a low hanging branch, she pulled off some leaves. She'd studied the forest area before the trip, familiarizing herself with all the different flora and fauna.

I've never seen this leaf before, she thought, taking note of its shape and color. It was purple.

Her stomach twisted into a knot. This was definitely not the forest she knew. The leaves, the trees, everything was off. It was like she had been transported into a painting from a fantasy book. She felt a cold trickle of fear run down her spine. What if she was dreaming? Or worse, what if she'd gone mad?

Quinn took a deep breath and forced the thoughts out of her head. She had to find Alex, the others. She started to walk, her feet moving almost by themselves. Each step was a silent prayer for Alex, for her troop, for anyone familiar.

The forest was eerily quiet, as if it was holding its breath. The only sound was the occasional whisper of the wind through the leaves, and even that seemed to hold a hint of something unspoken. The trees towered above her, their limbs entwined in a way that seemed almost sinister, as if they were hiding something.

The farther Quinn wandered, the more she noticed the absence of storm damage. The branches were unbroken, the leaves unmarred, and the underbrush was untouched by the rage of the night before. It was as if the storm had never occurred at all. The realization grew in her chest like a cold stone. This was not the same place they had set up camp. The very essence of the forest had changed. The trees were too tall, the underbrush too thick, and the air too clean. The world she knew had been replaced by this alien landscape.

Her heart racing, she stumbled through the eerie silence, desperation fueling her search. And then, like a beacon of hope in the gloom, she saw it: a flash of blue. She squinted through the foliage, her heart leaping as she recognized the material of their tents. They were there, but not as she had left them. They were scattered, as if some giant hand had tossed them into the woods like ragdolls.

Quinn's pulse pounded in her ears as she approached the first tent, her eyes scanning the area for any signs of life. The flaps were open, and she could see the abandoned sleeping bags and rumpled clothes inside. The second tent was the same—desolate, the only sign of its inhabitants the half-eaten granola bars and discarded flashlights. Panic gripped her chest like a vice. Where were they? What had happened to her friends?

Finally, she reached her own tent. The sight of it brought a wave of relief—it was still standing, a bastion of familiarity in this alien world. But as she drew closer, she saw that it had been torn open, the contents spilled out onto the glowing moss. Her heart sank, but she forced herself to be methodical.

Quinn dropped to her knees and began to rummage through the mess. The tent flaps flapped in the breeze, the fabric whispering secrets she couldn't quite make out. Her hand closed around the cool metal of her canteen, and she took a grateful swig of water, feeling the liquid soothe her dry throat.

Thankfully her survival pack's was still intact.

Her eyes scanned the contents of her survival pack, her mind racing. Nutrient bars, a first aid kit, a compass, a knife—everything she'd need to survive, but not what she'd need to find her friends. Panic was a live wire, zipping through her veins, making it hard to think straight. But she had to. They were counting on her.

She reached further inside and found the little flashlight there. She tapped it on her thigh, a beam cut through the ground fog. She searched the rest of her tent, looking for anything else. She found her zip up hoodie and pulled it on quickly. Her other pack was shredded, its contents ruined. She did find her smartphone though. The screen was cracked but it still had power. She rushed out of the tent, hoping to get a signal but there was nothing.

Cursing, she stuffed it into the back pocket of her shorts.

She dropped gently on a large rock nearby.

What the hell happened here? It looked like some animal had torn the place apart. What's worse, all her friends were missing?

Her stomach twisted into a knot. What could have done this? A bear? A wolf?

Quinn took a deep breath and tried to push the fear aside. She had to be strong. For herself and for her friends. They had to be out there somewhere. She stood up and took a moment to gather her bearings. Then, with a renewed sense of purpose, she set off to search the rest of the scattered tents.

Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Jake's hatchet, lying half-buried in the moss. It was a good tool, one they would all need if they were to survive whatever this place had in store for them. She picked it up and tested its weight in her hand. The handle was slick with rain, but she could feel the power of it, the promise of protection. She tucked it into her belt and continued her search.

The next tent yielded more supplies: a few more granola bars, mostly squished but still edible, and Ben's rain poncho, which was surprisingly dry. The climbing gear was in a tangled heap beside it, the ropes and carabiners gleaming in the dappled sunlight. Quinn's mind raced as she packed everything into her survival bag. She'd need to be prepared for anything. No climbing axe though, which gave her some hope that maybe they took it with them. Wherever they were.

****

A few hours earlier---Charlie

Charlie had watched with a heavy heart as Quinn disappeared into the storm, her form swallowed by the wrathful embrace of the elements. He felt a pang of regret for not speaking up when Jake had confronted her, his usual bravado nowhere to be found in the face of such raw hostility. The rain had melded with his own unshed tears, leaving him feeling cold and exposed.

Charlie had always been a bit of a coward. It wasn't by choice but he knew how much he could do. He was timid and overweight, the butt of many jokes and bullying. He'd known Quinn for years. Even when she was still identifying as a boy, he'd always thought she was a little different. Too feminine, too pretty and too different to ever really be one of them. It never occurred to him she'd been trans. When her parents announced it the other night, he wasn't sure what to say, so he said nothing like usual.

He only found his courage earlier when Jake took it a bit too far. Even then, he thought it was too little, too late. At least he got up enough courage to apologize to her.

"Hey Fat Ass, help us over here!"

Ben.

While Jake was always the ring leader, Ben was the real bully. He was the only who pushed Charlie around and called him names. Charlie hated his guts but was always too afraid to say anything or do anything to protect himself. Not that there was much he could do---he was fat and slow and had never been in a fight.

He took a deep breath and forced himself to move. His feet felt like they were made of lead but he knew he had to help. They were all in this mess together now. If they were going to survive, they needed to work together.

"Charlie, help us secure it better" barked Jake over the wind.

Charlie didn't hesitate and grabbed the end of the tent that Jake pointed too.

"Hold on tight!" Jake yelled over the wind.

They had barely managed to get the tent up, and now it was being torn apart. The storm had turned into a frenzied beast, and the wind was its teeth, ripping at the fabric. Rain stung their faces and soaked their clothes. The tent billowed and snapped in the fury, the poles bending dangerously.

"Hold it down!" Jake shouted over the din, his voice barely audible above the cacophony.

It was no use though. In one giant gust, the tent was pulled free and went flying away into the darkness.

"You idiot!" Ben screamed, his eyes wild with anger. He took a step forward, his booted foot connecting with Charlie's stomach with a sickening thud. Charlie doubled over, the wind knocked out of him. The pain was intense, and for a moment, he couldn't breathe.

"What the hell, Ben?" Jake's voice cut through the storm. Even he was surprised by Ben's violent outburst. "This wasn't Charlie's fault!"

Ben ignored him, turning his anger on the hunched over Charlie, still grasping his stomach. "You lost it, you find it!"

Gritting his teeth, Charlie nodded, not daring to argue. The last thing he needed was another kick. He stumbled off into the storm, the rain stinging his eyes. The wind howled around him, carrying with it the faint whispers of the forest. His eyes searched the darkness, looking for any sign of the tent. The lightning provided brief flashes of illumination, but the tent was nowhere to be seen.

The storm grew more furious with each step he took. The rain turned into hail, pelting him like tiny bullets. His eyes stung, and his teeth chattered, but he had to keep moving. He couldn't let the others down.

The moment the thunder clapped and lightning struck, the world went white around him. For a second, the forest was stark and clear, every tree and leaf outlined in brilliant light. Then there was nothing but a deafening roar and the sensation of being flung through the air like a ragdoll.

When Charlie opened his eyes again, the world was eerily calm. The storm had passed, and a thick fog had settled like a soft blanket over the forest floor. He blinked, his eyes struggling to adjust to the sudden change from the dark chaos of the storm to the quiet, misty morning. He was lying on his back, his body feeling like it had been wrung out like a wet towel.

With a groan, he pushed himself up onto his elbows and took stock of his surroundings. The fog was so thick he could barely see his hand in front of his face. The silence was almost deafening, and it was unsettling—like the world had been holding its breath and was now slowly letting it out.

There was something wrong though. He flexed his fingers then looked at his clothes. He was completely dry. Last night he'd been soaked to the bone. At the very least, his clothes should have been damp. He touched them just to make sure but it was if they'd never got wet.

He climbed to his feet, brushing himself off.  Looking about, there was something strange and new about this forest. He looked down and saw the ground covered in a strange moss. A moss that wasn't there the night before he was sure of that. He bent down and touched it. It felt spongey and had this luminescent quality to it. It glowed faintly and it was the only light source in this dense fog. It was eerie but also somehow calming. He had to find his way back to camp, to the others. He hoped they were okay, even Ben.

With a deep breath, Charlie started to retrace his steps. He walked faster than he ever had, his fear of the unknown pushing him forward. His legs burned and his breath came in short gasps but he didn't dare slow down. The fog swirled around him, playing tricks with his eyes. The trees looked like they were moving, reaching out to grab him. He kept telling himself it was just the fog playing tricks on him but he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

The forest was dense, the fog thick. The moss at his feet was the only light.

"I can't believe I'm lost," he murmured to himself, his voice echoing slightly in the stillness. He'd been in the woods a hundred times before, but none of it looked familiar. The trees, the moss, even the air—everything felt wrong, like a twisted reflection of the forest he knew.

After what felt like hours of stumbling through the fog, something finally looked right. A flash of blue material caught his eye through the mist. It was one of the tents. His heart leaped with hope, and he quickened his pace, the moss squelching under his boots. But as he drew closer, his hope turned to dread.

Ben, Jake, and Kurt were standing in the ruins of the camp, their faces etched with confusion and fear. They were untouched by the storm, dry and unblemished. The moment they saw Charlie, they locked eyes with him. For a moment, Charlie could swear he saw relief in Ben's eyes.

It was a fleeting emotion, as quick as the shadows that danced around the edges of the fog. Before he could take a step forward, a sudden movement in the trees caught his eye. An arrow shot through the air, silent and deadly, and lodged itself in Kurt's shoulder with a sickening thunk. The burly scout yelled out in pain and surprise.

Kurt dropped to the ground, wailing.

A moment later, three or four thick gray figures shot from the forest and charged the boys, roaring at the top of their lungs. The suddenness of their appearance was like a nightmare made flesh, their movements a blur in the mist. The creatures were unlike anything Charlie had ever seen before—massive, hulking forms with elongated limbs and fur the color of storm clouds.

The only one who reacted was Jake. He had the climbing axe from their gear, probably picked it up after it flew out during the storm. He managed to swing it with surprising speed and strength, catching one of the beasts in the shoulder. The creature bellowed in pain but did not slow its advance. It was a display of primal instinct and fearlessness that stunned Charlie into immobility.

The thing's skin was thick and tough, like the bark of an ancient tree, and the axe barely penetrated. But the hit had thrown it off balance. The creature took a step back, its eyes flashing with anger and something else—intelligence? It regarded Jake for a moment, seemingly assessing the threat level before making a decision.

Jake took advantage of the pause, his eyes darting to the others. "Run!" he bellowed, his voice a mix of fear and command.

Right after Jake shouted, the Thing he wounded lunged at him, catching him in the side with a club. Jake went flying, crashing into the underbrush.

Charlie finally regained himself. He didn't wait. Like usual, he ran. He ran just like the coward he always was.

*****

Quinn searched the rest of the "camp".

Her heart sank as she approached the last tent. It was a mess, even more so than the others. It was as if a battle had taken place here, not the fierce battle against the storm but something more primal. The moss beneath her was trampled, and there were large, indistinct shapes in the dirt that could only mean one thing: they had not disappeared by choice.

Her eyes fell on a series of large, heavy footprints that led away from the camp. They were unlike anything she'd seen before—too large to be human, with an unmistakable claw-like imprint. Quinn felt a cold chill run down her spine. What kind of creature left these?

There were at least three or four sets of them, leading in the opposite direction she had come from. She bit her lip, wondering if it was wise to follow.

She decided to search the rest of the "perimeter" first. There she found another set of footprints, smaller, closer together but more importantly, definitely human.

Someone ran away?

Quinn's heart thudded in her chest as she stared at the human footprints. They were faint, almost lost in the luminescent moss, but they were there. The thought of her friends being taken filled her with dread. Yet, the footprints offered a semblance of hope, a path to follow. Carefully, she packed her survival bag with the salvaged items, ensuring that everything was secure and wouldn't make noise.

With the hatchet in her hand, she took a tentative step forward, following the trail. It was clear the person who left these prints was running—they were close together and shallow, as if whoever it was had been in a hurry. The footprints wove through the eerily still forest, the only sign of life the occasional bird call echoing through the trees. The silence felt unnatural, as if the world was holding its breath, waiting for her to make a mistake.

Quinn's heart pounded in her chest with each step, her eyes darting from side to side, expecting danger to jump out at any moment. The trees loomed over her, their branches tangling together to form a dense canopy that blocked out the sun. The luminescent moss cast a ghostly glow that made the shadows seem to pulse with malevolent intent.

The footprints grew fainter as she ventured deeper, but she refused to give up hope. Each indentation in the spongy moss was a breadcrumb, a silent cry for help from someone who had been here before her. The forest was eerily silent, save for the occasional snap of a twig under her foot or the distant echo of her own breathing. It was as if the very trees were listening, holding their breath in anticipation of what she might uncover.

And then, she heard it—a muffled cry, barely audible over the sound of her own racing heart. She froze, her senses on high alert. There it was again, a whimper of fear that could only belong to one person—Charlie. The sound grew louder as she approached, and she could make out the unmistakable murmur of voices, the thud of something heavy being dragged through the underbrush.

Quinn broke into a run, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she followed the noise. The forest grew denser, the trees closing in around her, the vines seeming to coil and writhe like serpents. And there, through a gap in the foliage, she saw them—small, greenish figures with pointed ears, their eyes gleaming in the dim light, each one holding a crude club made of what looked like bone.

Her heart in her throat, she watched as they circled Charlie, who was pressed up against the base of a massive, ancient tree, his eyes wide with terror. He was crying, his voice high and desperate, begging for mercy in a tone that tore at Quinn's soul. She recognized the fear in his voice, had felt it herself many times when faced with the cruelty of the world. But this was different. This was the kind of fear that could only come from staring into the face of the unknown.

The creatures were chattering to themselves in some indistinguishable language she couldn't understand.

She didn't need to understand it though, their intentions were clear. They meant Charlie harm and she couldn't allow that.

She didn't even think before she acted. She hefted the hatchet then let it fly.

It whirled through the air, a silent, deadly projectile, and embedded itself in the skull of the creature nearest to Charlie. The impact was jarring, sending a spray of dark liquid into the air. The creature dropped instantly, the weight of its body sending tremors through the moss beneath it.

The others didn't even look surprised. They turned their gaze to Quinn, their eyes calculating, assessing the new threat.

Quinn's heart thundered in her chest, but she stood her ground, her hand reaching for the knife at her side. The survival training Mr. Harris had drilled into them all those weekends came flooding back—how to start a fire, how to navigate without a compass, how to set a snare, and even a little bit of hand-to-hand combat. It had all seemed so trivial back then, playing games in the park. But now, in this alien forest with her friend's life on the line, it was all that stood between them and the monsters that lurked in the shadows.

She charged forward, not thinking.

The world around her slowed to a crawl. The creatures' movements became a dance she could anticipate. Her feet felt like they were moving on their own, dodging and weaving around the clubs that swung towards her. Her hands, usually clumsy and unsure, had a newfound grace.

She tore into the first one, slicing its throat with a quick sweep of her blade. As it dropped, another swung its club toward her head. She ducked and rolled, coming up behind it. She slammed her knife into the space between its shoulder blades. It howled in pain. She pulled the blade free and managed to parry a third blow coming for her head. As soon as steel and bone clashed, her blade slid along the length of the club.

Her knife cut the wrist of her assailant, forcing it to drop its weapon with a startled yelp. Then she lunged forward, burying the blade in its neck.

The fight wasn't over yet though. The one she stabbed in the back was still alive. It was staggering away from the fight, trying to flee. Without even thinking, she retrieved the hatchet from her first victim and threw it. The throwing weapon stuck in the back of its head, dropping it instantly.

Then and only then did reality seem to come rushing back to her. She started panting heavily and dropped to her knees. She realized what she did and looked at her shaking hands. She wanted to vomit but nothing came up. She just did that? She just killed four things and she didn't even blink when it happened.

"Quinn?" said a soft voice, cutting through her panic.

She turned, her blurry vision faded and she saw Charlie, still up against the tree but standing now. There was a hint of urine in the air but she ignored.

"You ok?" she asked, her stunned friend nodded.

The two stared at each other in silence for a few minutes. Neither one of them looked at the dead things around them.

Finally Charlie broke the silence. "How in the hell did you do that?"

How indeed? She had no idea.

She shrugged. "I'm not sure, it just sorta happened. Like some crazy kind of instinct or auto pilot or something."

Charlie nodded. "Well you saved me" he said and added quickly. "Thanks"

She finally turned and looked at the four dead creatures around them. "What are they?"

Charlie finally found his composure and stepped away from the tree. He approached the nearest corpse and crouched next to it. He poked and prodded it with a stick he was holding, not saying anything for a few seconds. Finally he looked up at her and his expression was grim. "I think they're goblins".

She scoffed. "That's ridiculous."

Charlie didn't respond. This wasn't ridiculous to him.

He'd always been a bit of a sci-fi and fantasy geek. He liked his movies, video games and fantasy books. He was the kid who spent hours in his room, reading comic books and watching anime. The rest of the troop had always wondered why he was even a Wilderness Scout in the first place.

When he finally spoke again, it was with determination. "Look around us, Quinn. Those are goblins. Those trees, that glowing moss. They weren't there yesterday. Look at those leaves. This isn't natural. Its..." He took a deep breath. "We're not on Earth".

"What?" she asked.

It wasn't crazy to her though. It was that lingering thought she refused to have earlier. The one at the back of her subconscious, forcing itself to be thought.

"The storm," she murmured. "The lightning."

"It's all a blur," Charlie admitted, his voice trembling slightly. "One minute we're fighting the storm, the next, there's this...this blinding light, and suddenly everything's different." His eyes searched hers, looking for a shred of understanding. "We weren't just blown away by the wind or struck by lightning, Quinn. We've been...transported."

Quinn's mind raced, trying to grasp the impossibility of it all. "What do you mean, 'transported'?" she asked, her voice tight with anxiety.

"Remember the lightning?" Charlie prompted. "It was like nothing I've ever seen. And when I came to, I was just... different." He touched his cheek, his eyes wide with wonder and fear. "The storm, the light, it changed something. And now we're in a place with glowing moss and... and goblins!"

Quinn felt a cold knot in her stomach. She'd been too focused on her own transformation to consider that the storm might have had an even greater impact on the others. "What about the rest of the group?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"We lost one of the tents" Charlie explained. "BEn got mad, told me to go after it. I did but the storm was too intense. Then there was this boom and a bright light".

She nodded. "I saw that. As soon as the light struck, I blacked out and woke up when it was daylight out."

"Me too" admitted Charlie. "I was able to stumble back to camp and saw the others. They were just standing around, dumbfounded. Then we were attacked. They were hulking things, they looked like ogres. One of them shot Kurt in the arm with an arm. Jake attacked one with the climbing axe and screamed at us to run. So I did...then..."

She considered what Charlie had just said. They were all lost and scattered now. That did explain the huge tracks she saw leading out of the camp. Those must have been Charlie's "Ogres". The evidence was all there, she was just struggling to admit it. There was no question now though, what with the four corpses at her feet.

Charlie summed it up though. "We've been isekai'ed".

The word hung in the air. While she didn't read his comics or watch his anime, she knew enough from his talking. She knew what that meant.

Shit.

"So you're the expert in all this stuff" she said, after taking a long breath. "What do we do now?"

"If we're following standard Isekai Rules then this is probably some kind of evil forest" said Charlie, looking around nervously.

Quinn kicked one of the goblin corpses. "That adds up".

Charlie continued. "In the usual stories, the main character finds a path or something after wandering the forest for days. Said path leads them out of danger to a road and eventually town."

Quinn grunted. "This isn't one of your stories though". She waved her hand around the forest. "Mr. Harris had a fall back plan remember? We get separated or if something happens, we head back to that summer camp."

Charlie nodded. He knew the plan. "What about the others?"

Quinn was conflicted. On one hand, she really wanted to go find Alex and those other idiots. On the other hand, it was dangerous out there. There safest bet was to hopefully back track in the correct direction and find the summer camp. Then she remembered something else Mr. Harris had said: "Leave no man behind".

Quinn took a deep breath, the scent of the alien forest filling her nostrils. "We need to stick together," she decided. "We find them, and then we find the summer camp."

They set off again, retracing their steps through the moss-covered underbrush. The silence was unnerving, but it also allowed them to hear any signs of trouble before it could sneak up on them. The fog had lifted somewhat, but it remained thick enough to obscure anything more than a few feet away.

Quinn couldn't shake the feeling that the forest itself was playing tricks on them. Every time they thought they'd found their old camp, the path would curve away or end in a tangle of vines. The trees grew denser, the moss grew thicker, and the light grew dimmer. It was as if the forest didn't want them to find their friends.

They pushed on, their determination stronger than their fear. The minutes stretched out like a never-ending corridor of misty green, each step a silent prayer for a sign of their group. The eerie quiet was broken only by the occasional snap of a twig underfoot or the distant call of an unidentifiable creature. Quinn's senses were on high alert, every nerve in her body tingling with the anticipation of discovery or danger.

"Well the hell is wrong with this place?" she asked after an hour.

Charlie had been mostly quiet, observing. "So its one of those forests" he finally said, touching a tree.

"One of what forests?" she asked, annoyed.

"Its almost as if its alive."

Great, she thought, how reassuring.

"So it doesn't want us to get back to our tents then?" she asked, raising the hatchet, ready for anything.

"If I were to guess, its steering us somewhere else" said Charlie, pointing out a root that was clearly shifting. "You saw that right!"

Quinn nodded. She saw it. It made her tighten her grip on the hatchet.

"Where is it steering us then?" she asked, hoping Charlie had the answer.

"I don't kn---" he started but was cut off.

There was a loud bang. A distinctive noise, one they'd both heard in countless movies and TV shows.

A gun shot.

It echoed through the forest, a sound that was both alien and terrifyingly familiar. Quinn's heart jumped into her throat. The noise was sharp, a piercing crack that seemed to split the very air around them.

Charlie's eyes went wide with recognition. "That's a Remington 700!" he exclaimed, his voice a mix of shock and awe.

Quinn stared at him, bewildered. "How do you know that?"

He blinked. "I have no idea" he said softly, confused.

Somehow he just did. Just like how he knew the forest was alive. It was just this feeling he was getting. He bit his lip, thinking. Could it be...he shook his head. No, that was crazy. This was real life, not one of his stories.

Quinn had already made up her mind though. "We follow the shot."

Charlie looked at her like she'd lost it. "Why? That's a gunshot. It could be anyone!"

Quinn's eyes narrowed. "Could be anyone with a gun," she countered. "And in this forest of...whatever, that's the best thing we could hope for."

Without waiting for Charlie's response, she took off in the direction of the gunshot. The sound had been distant, but it was a clear sign of another human presence in this unsettling new world. Hell, they might have the others with them.

Her legs burned with the effort of pushing through the dense foliage, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She could hear Charlie's footsteps stumbling behind her, but she didn't dare slow down. The echo of the gunshot grew louder, more insistent, guiding her through the labyrinthine forest.

It was as if a switch had been flipped in her brain, and suddenly, she was attuned to every rustle, every snap of a twig. The scents of the forest grew more vivid, the musky odor of the goblins' blood still lingering in the air, the sweet scent of the luminescent moss a beacon that grew stronger with each step. Her eyes, once unsure and fearful, now darted from tree to tree with the precision of a hawk, noticing every detail. The way the branches grew, the patterns of the leaves, the way the light played upon the ground—it all painted a map in her mind that she couldn't have understood before.

Quinn pushed through the underbrush, the thorns and branches that had once been a hindrance now parting for her with ease. Her feet seemed to know the way, each step landing with the grace of an animal that had been born to this world. She could feel the forest's heartbeat, the pulse of life that thrummed beneath the moss and the dirt. It was as if she had been made for this place, a silent guardian of the woods that she hadn't known existed within her.

Her thoughts raced as she sprinted forward. The ease with which she'd dispatched the goblins, the unexplained knowledge of knowing she was going in the right direction, it all pointed to something beyond her understanding. Was it the lightning? The storm? Or had she been changed by something more profound? Quinn had always felt like an outsider in her own skin, but now she was beginning to feel like an outsider in her own reality. What's more, Charlie seemed to know things too. Like the type of gun from hearing one shot or how he seemingly knew the forest was alive?

There was something off about them, something different?

Another gun shot blasted the silence. It was closer. They were getting closer.

"C'mon, we're almost there" she said, determined, pushing faster.

Charlie huffed behind her.

"I can't keep this up" he panted. "I need a break."

"No," Quinn said, "we're almost there."

Her voice was firm, filled with a conviction that surprised even her. She didn't know where this newfound strength was coming from, but she wasn't about to question it. Not when it was the only thing keeping them from falling apart in this alien place.

Ten minutes later, she spotted them. There were two hunters, both dressed in those bright orange jackets. One of them was older, middle-aged with a beard. He was the one with the rifle. The other was a teenager but a few years older than them. He had a compound bow. At their feet, was some kind of wolf.

The sight of the hunters brought a rush of relief and confusion. Who were they? How did they get here?

The middle-aged man looked up, the beard that had once been meticulously groomed was now wild and unkempt. His eyes searched the foggy woods, wary. He saw them and raised the rifle, his eyes narrowed. The teenager, noticing the movement, spun around, the bowstring taut.

Quinn raised her arms, stepping out from behind the tree she'd been hiding behind. "Not bad guys," she said, taking a slow step forward.

The two hunters looked surprised.

"Who the hell are you?" the man with the rifle barked. "What the hell is going on here!"

Quinn shook her head. "No idea. I'm Quinn" She grabbed Charlie and pulled him out from behind the tree too. "This is Charlie. We're Wilderness Scouts".

The man with the rifle studied them for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a sigh, he lowered the weapon. "You're just kids," he murmured, his shoulders dropping with relief.

Quinn frowned, annoyed. "We're thirteen."

The hunter chuckled. "I'm Mack, this is my nephew Ethan."

Quinn nodded at them, her eyes lingering on the massive creature at their feet. It looked like a wolf, but it was almost the size of a horse, and the horns curling from its forehead were definitely not standard wolf equipment. Its fur was mottled with patches of green, as if the forest had grown into it.

Mack saw where she was looking and nodded. "Not something you see every day."

"Its a Horned Wolf," mumbled Charlie.

"Its not natural," said the old hunter.

"Uncle Mack, like I told you, I don't think we're on Earth anymore" said Ethan, speaking for the first time.

"That's ridiculous," snapped his uncle.

"But its not," added Charlie. "Look at the flora and fauna. I think it was the storm. Did you guys see a bright flash of light and lose consciousness immediately after?"

Both hunters looked at each other but didn't say anything.

Quinn looked at Ethan.

He was probably about sixteen, with sandy blonde hair that was swept back, giving him a wild, untamed look. His eyes were sharp and piercing, like they'd seen more than their fair share of the world's ugliness. And despite the absurd situation, she had to admit, he was kind of ruggedly handsome. It was weird. Just yesterday, she would have barely given him a second glance, but today, his attractiveness was like a neon sign that she couldn't ignore.

"This is crazy," grunted Mack, still unwilling to believe what was right in front of them.

"Let me show you," said Ethan, pulling out his GPS device. "It's been out of whack since we got here."

The screen was a mess of jagged lines and question marks, the map useless.

"I never trusted those things anyway," said the veteran hunter and he pulled out his compass.

He frowned a second later.

"It's not just broken," Ethan said with a hint of awe. "It's... confused."

Quinn stepped closer, peering at the compass. The needle spun in wild circles, as if it couldn't decide which way was north. It was like the very fabric of reality had been torn apart and stitched back together with a child's carelessness.

Mack finally sighed. "This makes no damn sense."

"Tell me about it" said Quinn "Charlie and I have been trying to figure it out for hours".

Mack looked at them as if looking at them for the very first time. "You said you were Wilderness Scouts?"

Charlie nodded, still panting. "Yeah. We were on a three-day trip. We're supposed to be learning survival skills and stuff."

Mack raised his eyebrows. "Well, you're certainly getting a crash course now," he said, his voice gruff but not unkind.

Quinn took a deep breath and began their tale. She spoke of their group of six, the storm, and the chaos that had ensued. How they had woken up in this alien world, their camp destroyed, and the goblin attack they'd just escaped from. She didn't mention the strange things happening to her, keeping that part of her story to herself for now.

"Our friend Alex went to look for firewood before the storm started," added Charlie. "Quinn went looking for him. That started it. Then the storm. We lost a tent, I went to look for it and the flash happened. When I woke up, I ran back to camp and saw my friends get attacked by these monstrous things. One of them is injured. I don't know anything more because I ran".

"And this was this morning?" asked Mack, looking at his watch.

Quinn nodded. "I met up with Charlie a couple of hours ago. That's when I killed those goblins".

"Goblins" said Mack softly, shaking his head. "This is nuts"

A howl interrupted their thoughts. Mack and Ethan snapped up their weapons, ready for anything. Quinn and Charlie looked around nervously. It was the first howl they'd heard. Looking at the two hunters, it was clear they'd been fighting for their lives. It made Quinn wonder why Mack didn't put two and two together sooner.

"We can't stay here," cautioned Ethan, snapping the bow about, ready to shoot.

"There's a summer camp, that's where we were going," said Charlie, sharing a look with Quinn.

"Willow Glades," said Mack, nodding. "We know it. That's where we parked our truck."

"You think maybe our friends went there?" asked Charlie, hopeful.

Mack rubbed the back of his head. "Food and shelter, right?" he asked, Quinn nodded.

Mack reached into his vest, pulling out a map. He unfolded it, studying it. "Well the camp should to the east."

"That's if there is an east here" pointed out Quinn. "Remember your compass?"

Mack frowned again. "There's also the ranger station."

Quinn shook her head but no one noticed. Mack wasn't getting it. This wasn't their world anymore. Hell, they didn't even know if the summer camp was there. She was still very confused, trying desperately to piece things together. It was clear that anyone who saw that bright flash of light was brought here. The only reason she was convinced the summer camp was still here was because their tents were. It stands to reason that if they were brought here and so were the tents, then objects got transferred over as well. Maybe that meant buildings too?

"What do we do?' asked Ethan, still on a nervous hair trigger.

"I'd really like to check for the ranger station" said Mack, pointing it out on the map. "I can't guarantee it will be there but it will have shelter, maybe food, there might even be a truck or something"

Quinn looked at them, realizing they didn't have any packs. "Your supplies?"

Ethan shook his head. "At our camp. We tried to double back but this place..."

"Its wrong," added Charlie. "I think its alive."

As much as she wanted to regroup at the summer camp, she also wanted to find their friends. If there was a chance that Jake, Alex or the other two had made it to the Ranger Station...She sighed, they owed it to them to check.

"Ok, let's try to find that Ranger Station," she finally said, determined.

Quinn didn't argue. She had felt the same way. "Let's stick together then. Safety in numbers."

As soon as the thought came into her head, she felt this nagging tug. It was that instinct again, the very same one that had led her to Mack and Ethan.

"We should follow the river,," said Mack, pointing to the map.

Charlie shook his head. "Its not there anymore. Your map is useless."

Mack looked annoyed. "How do you know that?"

Charlie shrugged. "I just do."

That nagging feeling was really tugging at her, almost drawing her to the west. Finally it was too much for her. She pointed, "It’s that way."

All three of them looked at her.

"Are you sure?" asked Charlie, a moment after their quiet silence.

She nodded. "I don't know why but I have this feeling. The same one that led us to Mack and Ethan. As soon as I agreed to go to the station, that feeling returned. Its telling me its that way."

Mack and Ethan shared a look again.

"Well," said Ethan, finally relaxing and lowering his bow. "I guess we go that way."

He shot Quinn a smile that made her feel a little weak in the knees.

They set off, with Mack in the lead, Quinn and Charlie close behind, and Ethan bringing up the rear, his eyes darting around as if expecting a monster to pop out of every bush., his bow at the ready.

The forest was eerily quiet, the only sounds their footsteps on the soft moss and the occasional rustle of something watching them from the underbrush. Quinn felt like the forest was holding its breath, waiting for them to make a mistake. She gripped the hatchet tightly, feeling the weight of it in her hand, ready to fight for her life again.

After what felt like an eternity, the trees began to thin and the light grew stronger. Quinn's heart raced as the pull grew almost unbearable, and then, like a mirage in the distance, the Ranger Station appeared. It was a simple wooden building on stilts, nestled among the trees, looking almost out of place in this bizarre landscape. It was a beacon of hope amidst the alien world they had stumbled into.

The four of them approached cautiously, the silence of the forest unbroken except for their footsteps. The closer they got, the more the structure looked like it belonged here—the wood was twisted and glowed faintly with the same luminescence as the moss. Yet, there was something comfortingly familiar about it that made their spirits rise.

As they reached the stairs, Quinn noticed something strange. The boards didn't creak, the nails didn't groan, it was as if they'd been placed there by an invisible hand moments ago. She shared a look with Charlie, who seemed equally bewildered.

Mack reached the top step and cautiously peered into the station. The light was dim, flickering like candlelight. He turned back to them, his expression grim. "Quiet," he murmured.

They nodded and followed suit, their eyes wide with anticipation and fear. The door was ajar, and Quinn's heart pounded in her chest as they pushed it open, the wood protesting with a soft squeak. The smell of damp earth and something faintly metallic filled the air. Inside, the Ranger Station was in disarray—furniture overturned, maps scattered across the floor, and supplies scattered haphazardly.

In the corner, a lone ranger was hunched over a radio, his back to them. His uniform was soaked through with sweat, his eyes wild and desperate as he fiddled with the dials. Static hissed from the speaker, a cacophony of white noise that seemed to mirror the chaos outside. The room was lit by the soft glow of a kerosene lantern.

Mack stepped in, his boots making a soft thud on the wooden floorboards. "Hey," he called out, his voice a gentle rumble. "You okay in here?"

The ranger whipped around, his hand shaking as he pointed a gun at them. His eyes were wide with terror, darting from one face to the next.

"Who are you!" he barked, trembling. "Where did you come from?"

Mack slowly shouldered his rifle. "I'm Mack Rogers, this is my nephew Ethan" He said, pointing at himself then at Ethan.

Quinn spoke up. "I'm Quinn Harper, this is Charlie Boyle. We're Wilderness Scouts. Have you seen anymore of us?"

She was hopeful.

The ranger's eyes searched their faces, his hand still shaking as he kept the gun trained on them. His uniform was soaked in a cold sweat, his eyes wild with fear. "Wilderness Scouts?" he repeated, his voice cracking.

Mack took charge again. "These kids got lost in the forest, they're separated from their friends. My nephew and I were deer hunting"

The Ranger finally lowered his weapon. "I'm Keith, Keith Daniels. The only one here now, my partner abandoned me."

Quinn exchanged a look with Charlie. "They abandoned you?"

Keith nodded. "Heather. She left hours ago to look for help, she..." He shook his head. "She abandoned me."

Mack took a step forward, making sure to put himself between Keith and his young charges. The last thing he needed was for the guy to have mental breakdown and start firing that pistol.

"Take it easy, Keith," he said, his voice low and steady. "We've all had a rough go of it. Did you see anything strange during that storm? Something like a...bright light?"

Keith's eyes narrowed, his body shaking. "You too?" he whispered. "I saw it. A blinding light, right before everything changed. Before the monsters came."

Quinn looked at Charlie. "What kind of monsters?" she asked.

"Big ones" he said, looking toward the large window overlooking the forest. "They trashed the place. I hid in the storage cabinet. They didn't find me".

While Keith turned to put at the cabinet, Mack gestured to Ethan. Keith had set the gun on the counter. While his back was turned, Ethan quickly lunged forward and grabbed it. Keith was so distracted he didn't even notice. Mack let out the breath he'd been holding. Keith turned back around, blinked at the stop where he left the gun but said nothing.

"Look" said Mack, staring around the interior of the station. "Its getting late and dangerous. You think we could bunker down here for the night?"

Keith laughed. "My station is your station."

Mack looked at Ethan, who shrugged.

Keith composed himself for a few seconds, looking at Quinn. "There should be some blankets in one of the cabinets. Sorry there's only just one couch."

Quinn nodded. "It's okay. We're just happy to be safe for the night." She started searching the station interior, her eyes scanning the overturned furniture and scattered supplies. The monsters had left its mark, but the place wasn't in shambles. The scent of damp wood and fear lingered in the air, but she pushed that aside and focused on the task at hand.

Mack and Keith were busy discussing the layout of the area, sharing their knowledge of the land and what they'd encountered. Ethan took up post by the door, his bow still strung, watching the forest intently.

Quinn and Charlie set to work on the couch, flipping it over with a grunt. The springs protested but held, a testament to its sturdy construction. It was a simple, functional piece of furniture, but after the day they'd had, it might as well have been a throne. They righted it and checked it over, making sure there were no nasty surprises lurking in the cushions.

While they worked, Ethan remained vigilant by the door, his eyes never leaving the forest beyond. His grip on the bow was firm, and Quinn couldn't help but admire the tension in his arms, the way he held himself. He was strong and capable, and she felt a little safer with him watching their backs.

"Hey there's a fridge" said Charlie, the beam of Quinn's borrowed flashlight landing on the door.

There was no power in the station but she went over and opened the door anyway. There were several bottles of water and some sandwiches. It wasn't the greatest of meals but it was food, something she hadn't had for hours. There were only three sandwiches, so she split them so they could all eat.

Quinn and Charlie sat on the couch, Mack and Keith over by the radio. Ethan was still by the door. Everyone ate and drank in relative silence.

When they were done, Mack finally spoke up. "So, what the hell happened to us?"

Charlie swallowed his last bite of sandwich and took a sip of water. "I think we got Isekai'ed."

Mack raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

"It's like when characters in anime get transported to a fantasy world," Charlie explained. "But instead of just being in a story, it's like it actually happened. In the flesh."

Mack scrunched his face up. "You're saying we're in some kind of...fantasy world?"

Charlie shrugged. "Not necessarily. Its some place that seems to have similarities to fantasy settings."

Mack frowned, stroking his beard. "Well, I've seen some strange things in my time, but this takes the cake." He gestured to the forest outside. "But alright, let's say we're in some kind of fantasy world. What's our next move?"

Quinn piped in. "Well if the ranger station is here, that probably means the summer camp is too. Mr. Harris---our trooper leader---told us to regroup back there if anything bad happens."

"And your friends?" asked Ethan.

Quinn sighed. "Let's hope they tried to make their way there too."

Mack nodded, stroking his beard. "It's the most logical place to go for shelter and help. They should've had the same idea."

Quinn hoped so. The thought of her friends, especially Alex, out there alone and hurt was a heavy weight on her shoulders. She had to believe they were okay. That they'd be waiting at the summer camp, wondering where she and Charlie were.

On the walk to the station, she had some time to think. They really had no idea how dangerous and vast this forest was. They could spend hours looking for Alex, Jake and those other two idiots. She just hoped they were smart enough to try and find shelter.

As the daylight waned and night crept upon them, they decided to get some sleep.

"You two need your rest," Mack said firmly, pointing at Quinn and Charlie. "We'll take guard duty"

Quinn tried to protest but they wouldn't listen to her.

"You're just kids," Mack said, his voice firm. "You need your rest. We've got this."

Quinn opened her mouth to argue, but Ethan stepped forward. "Let them," he said quietly. "You've been through enough today."

They made Quinn take the couch. Charlie had found a sleeping bag stuffed in the bottom of the cabinet with the blankets.

It took Quinn some time to fall asleep but as soon as she did, it was like morning was there a second later.

Quinn woke up, stiff and blinking her eyes, confusion swirling around her. She was momentarily disoriented, unsure of where she was. Then the pressing need to go to the bathroom hit her. She groaned inwardly. It was the thing she was dreading more than anything. All day yesterday, she tried not to think about her situation. Now with this pressing matter, it was like reality was knocking on her door.

She was a girl now. It was the thing she WANTED more than anything in the whole world. The problem was, she was now scared. She wasn't sure why or even how it happened. She was dreading going into the bathroom and dealing with the lack of something between her legs and the new thing that was there.

She looked around the room, locking eyes with a wide awake Keith. "Ummm, where's the bathroom?"

Keith nodded to the back. "Through that door," he said, pointing with his chin.

Quinn's stomach flipped. She hadn't thought about the practicalities of being a girl until now. Swallowing hard, she pushed herself off the couch and padded over to the bathroom, her heart racing. She took a deep breath and stepped inside, shutting the door behind her. The room was small and cramped, with a toilet, sink, and a mirror above it.

Her eyes squeezed shut, she reached down and unbuttoned her shorts, letting them drop to her ankles. The cold porcelain of the toilet seat sent a shiver down her spine as she sat down. The sensation was new, unfamiliar, and she felt a twinge of fear as she positioned herself. Her breathing was shallow as she tried to ignore the reality of all of this. It was too much to face right now, too real.

So she peed. It was weird and felt unnatural. It flowed out like a gushing fountain, not the concentrated stream she was used too as a boy.

When she was done, she flushed quickly, wiped with some toilet paper and pulled up her shorts. She rushed out the room, almost bowling Charlie over.

"Everything ok?" he asked, still rubbing sleep from his eyes.

"Fine" she said, her voice a bit high. "Everything is fine!"

She rushed over to where Mack, Keith and Ethan were discussing their next course of action.

The three of them were discussing their next course of action.

"We should stick to the plan," Mack said, his eyes looking toward the window. "Find the other scouts, regroup, and then figure out how to get out of this...whatever it is we're in."

Ethan nodded. "And we need to be careful. Who knows what other things are out there."

They all agreed to be prepared. They split up, searching through the ranger station for anything useful. Quinn found a first aid kit and some emergency flares in a drawer. Charlie found a couple more flashlights and some batteries. Mack and Ethan rummaged through a back room, coming out with another sleeping, a flare gun, and a handful of snack bars. They piled everything on the counter, looking over their supplies.

"What about other weapons?" asked Ethan, speaking what everyone was thinking.

Keith cleared his throat. "There's a gun case but I don't think giving guns to the children is such a good idea..."

"We weren't planning too" said Mack and he hefted his rifle. "I'm running low on ammo and if what you and Charlie described is out there, we might need heavy firepower."

Keith pulled keys from his pocket. "There's a twelve gauge in there. Heather took the other one and my pistol is..."

Ethan lifted his shirt, showing it stuck in his waistband. "Safe here"

Keith didn't question it.

Mack tossed his nephew the keys. "Get what you can from the case and be careful."

Ethan caught the keys one handed, nodded and went off to find the gun case.

Five minutes later, Mack was loading a 12 gauge shotgun, the shells clinking metallically as they slid into place. His eyes were focused, his movements sure. Quinn had seen his type before, military probably. The way he handled the weapon was methodical and precise. It was like watching someone put together a puzzle they had done a hundred times. Mr. Harris was the same way.

Charlie looked at the gun. Something told him it was a Mossberg pump action, standard police issue.  He had no idea how and why he knew that. It was just like some of the others things. As soon as he saw something, his head filled with weird knowledge. Like the corpse of that wolf, he suddenly knew it was a Horned Wolf without even thinking. He also knew that while he considered the creatures they saw "goblins" and "ogres", in this world they had different names. He kept that weird bit of trivia to himself though.

"There were rifle rounds too but no gun for them" said Ethan, using a backpack he found to secure the extra ammo.

Keith nodded. "Its in the truck. Heather..."

Mack nodded but said nothing. Their weapons would have to do for now. He took a deep breath and looked around at the assembled group. "Ok, so this is the plan" he said, looking at each face in turn. "Now they we know the ranger station is in this world too, its right to assume that the buildings of the summer camp are probably here too. Now ideally, we'd search the forest for your missing scout friends but we have no idea what's out there."

Everyone murmured and nodded.

"So" he continued. "We're going to do it the most efficient way possible. We'll trek to the summer camp, Ethan will stay behind with Quinn and Charlie. Then Keith and I will venture out into the woods to look for the missing scouts."

Ethan started to protest, saying "I can help too" but Mack held up his hand.

"We have no idea what we're up against" he said, looking from Quinn to Charlie. "There's something about this whole situation that bothers me. I want to keep these kids safe and I want you to do it."

Ethan looked at the two thirteen-year-olds, sighed and nodded.

"Good," said Mack, putting his hand gently on his nephew's shoulder. Then he turned to Quinn with a big smile. "We'll find your friends and then find some way to get you kids home."

Quinn felt strangely reassured and safe. She was relieved too. With Mack and Keith, their odds of survival had gone way up.

Mack took charge, splitting their supplies between Quinn's and Ethan's packs. He was meticulous, ensuring that everything they would need was accounted for. They had water, food, the first aid kit and their weapons. As he worked, Quinn noticed that he was giving her extra glances. It was like he was trying to communicate something without actually saying it.

Finally, when he was satisfied with the distribution, he leaned in closer to her pack and tucked something inside. She watched as his hand moved, placing something small but heavy at the bottom. When he straightened up, he looked her in the eye and nodded slightly. Quinn felt her heart jump in her chest. She knew what he'd done. He had put Keith's pistol in her pack.

The gesture was clear. Neither said anything about it either.

With everything secure, they decided to move out finally. The tension in the station was thick. They knew that they couldn't stay there forever. The forest outside was a mystery, filled with unknown dangers and possibly their friends.

Keith stepped up to the door, holding the shotgun tightly to his chest. He took a deep breath and pushed it open, letting in a rush of cool morning air. The light from outside painted the floorboards a gentle green as he stepped onto the porch. The world beyond looked serene, their future possibly bright again.

But that serenity shattered as soon as the door was fully open. Two large black arrows sliced through the air, their tips gleaming with a deadly precision. They hit Keith with a sickening thunk, one burying itself deep into his throat, the other lodging itself between his eyes. The force of the impact sent him reeling backward, his body thumping against the floor inside.

It was so quick, so sudden.

Quinn actually heard someone scream, until she realized it came from her own throat.

A moment later, chaos happened. A large gray thing smashed straight through the station's window, sending glass and wood flying everywhere. The creature was unlike anything she had ever seen. It had the body of a giant bear, the arms of a man, and a face that was a twisted mix of rage and hunger. It hit the ground with a thud, its large feet cracking the floorboards, and let out a roar that made the walls shake.

A gunshot rang out, Mack's rifle. The round hit the thing right between the eyes but it didn't even flinch. The bullet did nothing but make the thing angrier.

It screamed louder and another one of those Things came smashing through the roof. This one had a large thick club, which it swung at Mack. The veteran hunter turned to face the blow, blocking the impact with the length of his rifle. With a sickening snap, the rifle was snapped in half. Mack stood stunned for a moment, holding both pieces of his now useless weapon.

An arrow went flying and dug into the creature's neck. Again it barely reacted. Ethan fired off another arrow but it bounced off the Thing's thick skull.

"Ethan get them out!" shouted Mack, recovering.

Quinn didn't need to be told twice. She grabbed Charlie's hand and started to run toward the door. But she didn't get far. The creature with the club swiped at her, the air displacing as the wood whistled through the air.

Mack saw the attack coming and lunged forward, pushing her aside. The club smacked into his back with a wet thud. The impact sent him sprawling across the floor, his body twitching as he cried out in pain.

Quinn's heart raced. She couldn't believe it was happening. Her mind screamed for her to run, but her legs remained rooted to the spot. She watched in horror as the creature with the club raised its weapon again, aiming for the helpless Mack.

But Mack was not going down without a fight. He had seen the shotgun fall from Keith's lifeless hands and had moved faster than she thought possible. He slod across the floor, his body gliding over the splintered wood and glass as if it were a slick ice rink. His hand reached out and grasped the cold metal barrel of the gun.

With a grunt of effort, he swung it up and fired. The roar of the shotgun filled the room, a deafening sound that echoed in Quinn's ears. The creature that had been advancing on her stopped in its tracks, its hand blown off in a spray of fur and blood.

This time, It definitely felt the pain and bellowed.

Mack locked eyes with Ethan. "Get them out of here!"

Ethan hesitated, his gaze flickering to Mack, then to the horror unfolding around them. His heart hammered in his chest. He didn't know if he could leave his uncle behind, but he knew he had to protect Quinn and Charlie. With a heavy heart, he turned away from the battle, gripping his bow tightly.

I hate, I hate this, he thought, fighting back tears.

Mack nodded, firing off another shot. This one hit the other Thing, the one near the door. The blast was enough to stagger it, giving the other three a chance to escape.

"Run!" he shouted, preparing another shot.

Quinn didn't need to be told twice. She grabbed Charlie's hand and the two bolted out of the shattered doorway, down the steps, and into the embrace of the forest. The cool morning air stung her lungs as she sprinted through the underbrush, the sound of their panicked breaths and rustling leaves the only noises she could hear over the ringing in her ears from the shotgun blast. She didn't dare to look back.

Ethan was right behind them, his eyes glued to the path ahead, his bow drawn and ready to shoot. Every snap of a twig or rustle in the bushes made her heart skip a beat, but she knew they had to keep moving. They couldn't stop until they were far away from that terrifying creature and the devastation it had brought to the Ranger Station.

As they ran, he heard a scream and one last blast of the shotgun.

The trio didn't stop until a small, clear stream came into view, gurgling happily, oblivious to the chaos that had invaded its serene world. They reached it, panting and wheezing. The coolness of the water was a stark contrast to the heat of their panic. They collapsed by the banks, their legs giving out beneath them. The stream was like a lifeline, a symbol of purity in this nightmare.

"Shit, fucking shit" Ethan finally shouted, pulling off his pack and tossing it on the ground.

Quinn stared at him, letting him get out all his anger and frustration. Ethan cursed and stomped before finally dropping to his knees, his head in his hands. She finally wandered over, gently placing her hand on his shoulder. She rubbed it, hoping it would help. She didn't know what to say or do. She didn't know Mack long at all but he was a good man. He saved them, he sacrificed his life so they could live.

"That Thing" Charlie finally said. "Those, those were the Things that attacked our camp"

Quinn turned to him. "Your Ogres?" she asked, he nodded.

After seeing them in person, she was suddenly very scared for Jake, Ben and Kurt. She was scared for Alex too, hoping he was far, far away.

That sat by the stream for about twenty minutes, neither of them saying a thing. Ethan quietly mourned, Charlie sat thinking and Quinn spent her time wondering how far it was to the summer camp. Her thoughts were all a mess. What had seemed like a simple and easy thing with Keith and Mack protecting them was now an instant nightmare. Both men were gone and while they gained Ethan, they were alone again.

Finally, she broke the silence. "We can't stay here."

Ethan said nothing for a moment, then sniffled and wiped his face. "You're right. Uncle Mack wouldn't want us to just sit around like this. He'd tell us to keep moving, to get as far as way as possible"

They gathered their packs, the weight of the supplies feeling heavier than before, a stark reminder of the loss of their protector. Ethan took a deep breath and started walking, Quinn and Charlie followed close behind.

"My uncle was a good man," he began, his voice thick with emotion. "He taught me everything I know about hunting, about survival. He was tough, but he had a heart of gold."

"What about his life before all of this?" she asked, genuinely interested.

Ethan took a deep breath. "Well, he was in the Army for most of his life. Loved the outdoors. Taught me and my cousins everything we know. He was like a dad to me, after my folks..." He trailed off, his voice cracking.

"It's okay," Quinn said, giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

Ethan took a deep breath and stood up, his eyes red from holding back tears. "No, it's okay. It's good to remember him, you know?"

Quinn nodded but all of this was still pretty raw.

They walked in silence for a bit, the only sound the rustling of leaves and the occasional bird song. It was eerie, like nature was trying to lull them into a false sense of security. But she knew better. The forest was a living, breathing creature and it had already shown them its teeth.

Quinn tried to focus, to find that inner compass that had guided her before. But it was as if it had been turned off. The feeling was disorienting, like she had been cast adrift in a sea of doubt. She glanced back at Ethan, who was trudging along, his eyes on the ground. He had to be feeling it too. The weight of their loss heavy on his shoulders.

They walked for hours, the sun arcing through the sky, casting shadows that grew and shrank around them. The forest was eerily quiet except for the occasional bird call or rustling of leaves. It was like the world was holding its breath, waiting for their next move. Quinn's eyes darted from tree to tree, searching for any sign of their friends or the creatures that had taken them. But there was nothing, just an endless sea of green and brown.

"Anything?" asked Charlie, hopefully.

She shook her head. "I think my GPS is busted."

Charlie bit his lip, thinking. "Maybe you need to focus more, think about something specific"

"Like what?" she asked, confused. "I didn't anything specific before."

It seemed to click with Charlie. "Yes you did. When we found Ethan and Mack, you were centering on the gunfire and when you found the direction of the ranger station, you were thinking about the station, right?"

He was right of course. The problem was, there was nothing specific about the summer camp. They didn't actually step foot in it. She only saw it and the buildings from a distance. As soon as they got off the bus, they started into the woods.

Then something clicked. As soon as she thought of the bus, it was as if she knew where it was. She groaned, like a stupid idiot. Of course, the bus. Mr. Harris had told her the night before the trip that he and the bus would remain at the summer camp. That's why he wanted them to head back there if there was any trouble.

Another thought occurred to her.

"Charlie, Mr. Harris!" she said, practically giddy with excitement.

"What?"

She grabbed his arms. "Think about it. We're here, the guys are here, Ethan is here. The ranger station and Keith..."

She could see his brain working, the genius that he was. Charlie smiled. "Then there's a possibly that anyone in the forest back home could be here as well."

Quinn nodded. "Mr. Harris said he was staying at the camp!"

Ethan jumped in. "Are you saying your Scout leader is here?"

Quinn smirked. "Not just him but the bus we came in on" She pointed her finger to their left. "Its that way!"

Neither boy questioned her but Charlie did hug her. 

They walked for a few minutes, the silence between them thick with unspoken fear and hope. Quinn's thoughts were racing. Could Mr. Harris be here? Could he help them? And what about her other friends? Were they okay?

"Hey, Quinn?" Charlie's voice was soft, hesitant. "Can we talk about something?"

Quinn nodded, keeping her eyes on the path ahead. They had been walking for about twenty minutes now, the quiet of the woods pressing down on them like a heavy blanket. Ethan was a few steps behind, lost in his own thoughts.

"Okay, so what's going on with us?" Charlie began, his voice low so Ethan wouldn't hear. "You've got these...instincts or something, and I know things I shouldn't."

Quinn nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and dread. "I don't know how or why, but it's like we're changing."

Understatement of the year, she thought. She still hadn't told him about her complete gender change. Honestly, she wasn't sure how to bring it up.

"I think..." said Charlie, hesitating for a moment. "I think they're abilities".

"What? Like superheroes?" she asked, both skeptical and excited.

He shook his head. "Yes and No" He bit his lip. "I know this isn't one of my stories but in those stories, sometimes when people get transferred to another world, they gain special skills..."

As crazy as it was to her, it did explain a lot of things.

She turned around, looked at Ethan then turned back to Charlie. "Do you think that maybe Ethan is feeling strange too?"

Charlie shrugged. "Only one way to find out"

Quinn nodded and bit her lip. "Hey Ethan" she said, not sure how to word it exactly. "I know this might sound crazy but you don't happen to have strange abilities now, do you?"

The look on his face said it all. "What are you talking about?"

"You know, like how Quinn can sense where we need to go, like a homing pigeon on crack," Charlie said with a forced chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. "Or I know weird shit I shouldn't?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow, looking from Quinn to Charlie. "What are you guys on about?"

Quinn sighed. "We're wondering if maybe you feel different too? Like you have super speed or heat vision..." Ethan gave her a look like she was nuts. She sighed. "Something is going on with me and Charlie. We can't explain it and..."

"Isekai stuff" explained Ethan, nodding with understanding. "Like getting special powers when going to another world"

Charlie and Quinn's mouths hung open. "What?" They both asked.

Ethan laughed. "I watch anime too you know."

The two Scouts were dumbfounded.

Well shit, thought Quinn, having completely misjudged him.

"To answer you question though" said Ethan, sighing. "I don't feel any different. Maybe I'm just not special"

"That doesn't make any sense though" said Charlie, not accepting that his theory was wrong. "Why do Quinn and I have abilities but you don't?"

"And why couldn't I focus on the summer camp" she said, the thought had been bugging her for awhile now.

She never fully saw summer camp but the same could be said about the ranger station and the rifle. Yet, she was able to fully hone in on their location without a problem. It was almost as if something was trying to stop her from finding the summer camp? She could understand Charlie's theory about the forest being alive but why allow her to find Ethan, Mack and the ranger station but not allow her to find the summer camp? She was also able to find their tents without issue either even if she didn't realize it at the time.

It made no sense.

She cursed. Just when she thought she was getting the hang of this "tracker" ability of hers, it was still a mystery.

"Maybe it has something to do with your mood?" said Charlie, thinking again. "I mean, we were all pretty torn apart about what happened and..."

He didn't finish but he didn't have too. She looked at Ethan and while he still looked pretty shook, he didn't say anything else.

Was that it? She made a mental note to test it later.

They fell silent again, the forest swallowing their words, leaving only the rhythmic crunch of their boots on the damp earth. Quinn's heart pounded in her chest, the anticipation of what they might find at the summer camp almost unbearable. She tried to focus on the path ahead, her eyes peeled for any sign of the bus or the camp itself. The nagging feeling grew stronger with each step, like a homing beacon pulling her in. She hoped it wasn't her imagination playing tricks on her.

Another half an hour passed, and then, through a break in the trees, they saw it—the unmistakable shape of the school bus, a jarring splash of yellow in the sea of green. Quinn's initial excitement quickly turned to dread. The bus was in shambles. Its windows were smashed to pieces, the tires flat and useless. The once gleaming metal was now marred with rust and covered in vines that crept up from the forest floor, as if the vehicle had been abandoned for months. The sight made Quinn's stomach twist. What could have happened here?

"That's your bus?" asked Ethan, getting his bow ready for a fight.

"Yes" said Quinn then very quickly. "No. Well, I think so."

She started toward it but Ethan put a hand in front of her to stop her. "Let me go first, just to make sure."

Quinn nodded, reluctantly. "Okay."

Ethan took the lead, his eyes scanning the area as he moved. The forest had definitely reclaimed the bus, vines and branches entangling it, like a wild beast that had captured its prey. The door was a fight to open, stuck in its frame and resistant to Ethan's efforts. With a grunt, he gave it a final tug and it swung open with a screech, revealing the darkened interior.

The moment they stepped inside, the scent of decay hit them. The floor was covered in a thick layer of leaves and dirt, with a few rotten supplies scattered about. The seats were torn apart, stuffing pulled out like the innards of a gutted animal. The forest had indeed gotten inside, reclaiming the metal beast as its own.

"I don't get it" said Quinn from behind him. "We were only here two days ago. How did it get like this?"

She picked up an empty potato chip bag, crumpled and dirty.

Charlie was right behind her, the beam of his flashlight scanning about. "Where's Mr. Harris and the bus driver?"

That was a good question. The bus was completely deserted.

They looked around the bus for anything salvageable but found nothing. The interior was a mess, a stark reminder of the chaos that had overtaken their lives.

They stepped out of the bus, the door slamming shut with a hollow echo. Ethan looked around the area, realizing that if the bus was here then maybe other cars would be too. This was where the parking lot of the summer camp was supposed to be, back in their world. He squinted, trying to spot any signs of other vehicles or the camp itself. The trees grew closer together here, the forest's grip on the clearing almost claustrophobic.

"What are you looking for?" asked Quinn, sauntering up beside him.

"Our truck" he said, hoping it might be somewhere hidden about.

The school bus and these scouts had arrived after them or else he would have remembered the bus. If his memory was right though then they parked somewhere...

He squinted, spotting the distinctive red of Uncle Mack's pickup.

"There!" he said, quickening his pace.

The pickup looked like it had been through hell and back. The forest had not been kind to it. The once shiny red paint was now dull, covered in a layer of grime and moss. The tires were flat and the windows were smudged with dirt. But it was still standing, a beacon of hope in this alien world.

Ethan approached the truck with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The door was jammed shut, but with a few good kicks and a grunt, he managed to get it open. The interior was a mess, with the seats ripped and the dashboard cracked. The smell of mold and decay hung heavy in the air.

"Jackpot," he murmured as he found his backpack buried under a pile of leaves and debris. His heart sank when he pulled it out. The fabric was torn, the zipper barely hanging on. But as he unzipped it, his eyes widened in amazement—he pulled out his phone. He turned it on and sighed, there was even some power left. He scrolled through his photos, finding a pic of him and Becca.

"Your girlfriend?" asked Quinn, standing close to his elbow.

He sighed. "No but I wanted her to be". He thought about tossing the phone into the woods, what was the point now. "Guess it doesn't matter anymore, right? That's how this Isekai shit works..."

He left the rest unsaid. Like he mentioned before, he watched anime. Most of the people in them that were sent to another world didn't get to go home.

I hope you have a good life Beck, he thought sadly as he tossed the phone on the seat.

Quinn reached in and picked it up. "No, you can't lose this. Its a connection. The power might not last much longer but its yours for the moment. Don't lose sight of that."

Her own phone had stopped working hours ago. All those memories---the photos of her family and friends---gone forever. She still kept it though, holding out hope that maybe one day she'd see them again.

"Guys" said Charlie, interrupting. " I found the summer camp!"

They turned to see him standing in front of a break in the trees, pointing to a clearing that looked like it had been swallowed by the forest. The cabins and the main building were obscured by thick growths of trees and underbrush, as if the forest had reached out and grabbed hold of them, pulling them back into the fold. The silence that enveloped the area was eerie, as if the camp itself was holding its breath.

They approached the edge of the clearing cautiously, the feeling of unease growing stronger with each step. The once well-kept path to the camp was now barely visible, nature's attempt to reclaim the space. Everything looked abandoned but not like it had for months like the bus and Mack's truck. This place literally looked like the people just left it. There was no growth on the buildings themselves but the it was clear the forest was trying to consume them.

The camp sign stood as a strange sentinel above everything as they stepped into the camp proper.

The quiet was eerie, a stark contrast to the vibrant memories she had of their last visit. The camp was supposed to be full of life, with the laughter of children and the chatter of counselors. Now, it was as if the very air was holding its breath.

The main building loomed before them, a silent sentinel with a story to tell. Quinn's instincts screamed at her, whispering of unseen dangers lurking in the shadows. They entered the office, and it was as if time had stopped. The computer sat untouched, the screensaver casting a flickering glow over the dust-covered desk. The chair was pushed out, as if the person using it had left in a hurry.

Charlie was in the sitting area, looking at magazines that clearly were only left a few days ago, still pristine. He dropped onto one of the couches, exhausted.

"Where is everyone?" asked Ethan as Quinn walked out of the office.

"We should check the other buildings?" she said, determined to find someone.

Where were the kids? Where were the counselors? Where was Mr. Harris?

None of this made any sense.

They decided to explore more. As a group the three of them continued to search for people. They checked all the big buildings first

The first building was the infirmary, the place was spotless. The beds were made and everything looked untouched. It was like someone had paused the world and they were the only ones left in it.

In the mess hall, the smell hit them first.

They stepped into the kitchen, a place that usually was filled with the scent of cooking food and the bustle of activity. Now, it was the complete opposite. The fridges lined the walls, no usual buzzing hum. Tupperware containers lay scattered on the floor, their contents festering and putrid. The counters were bare, save for a few dishes that had been abandoned in the sink, now covered in a thick layer of green and black sludge.

"No power here either" said Charlie, flicking the switch on the wall.

Quinn sighed. "No point checking those for anything edible then" she said as Ethan almost opened one of the fridge doors.

They stepped back outside and headed towards the next building. It was the Rec Hall, where the kids probably spent so many nights playing games and watching movies. The door was ajar, and the sight that greeted them was surreal. The round tables and chairs were scattered about, as if a tornado had blown through, tossing them like leaves. The floor was sticky with what looked like spilled soda and popcorn, a sad reminder of the last moments of joy that had filled this space. The stage at the front was bare, the curtains drawn aside, revealing nothing but an empty space.

Quinn sighed, defeated. "Let's check the cabins"

They walked towards the line of cabins, their boots squelching in the damp earth. Each cabin looked the same—closed windows and doors, a stoic face to the world. The first few were easy enough, their doors were open, the interiors a mess of hastily abandoned sleeping bags and personal items. It was like the campers had just vanished into thin air.

The next few cabins were locked, and Ethan had to break them open. Inside, everything was neat and orderly, like the campers had been told to evacuate and had complied with military precision. The bunks were made, the floors swept clean, the air stale and untouched.

They found their first sign of life near the next cabin. But it wasn't life, it was body. Not a human one though. It was one of those Ogres.

"What the hell?" whispered Charlie, his voice shaking.

There were at least three arrows sticking out of it.

Ethan approached it, shaking his head. "Makes no sense, my arrows couldn't even slow it down."

He plucked one from the creature. It was make with the green wood of the trees around them, the feathers were red, the arrow made out of some strange silver metal he'd never seen before. He turned to Quinn, showing it to her. It was very clear what this new discovery meant---they weren't the only ones in this forest.

"I've never seen an arrow like this" he admitted.

She nodded, cautious. "You think that means there's someone else in this forest who oppose those things?"

"Maybe this place isn't just full of monsters wanting to kill us" said a hopefully Ethan.

Charlie said nothing. He knew though. He knew as soon as he saw that arrow. It was that ability of his again. There was someone else in this forest. Someone he wasn't sure was friend or foe though.

"What do we do now?" asked Ethan, sticking this new arrow in his own quiver.

"There's one more cabin" said Quinn, pointing to the last one.

They approached it, their hearts heavy with the weight of their findings. The door was securely shut, locked. Ethan took a step back, took a deep breath and then slammed into it with his shoulder. It flew open with a bang, the sound echoing through the camp.

The sight that met them was like a punch in the gut. The cabin was for younger kids, kindergarten or first grade. The tiny bunks were neatly made up, stuffed animals peering out from under the blankets, their plastic eyes seemingly watching them with curiosity. The walls were covered in colorful drawings and posters, a stark contrast to the grim reality that had swallowed the camp.

Toys were scattered about the floor, as if the children had just stepped out to play and never returned. Quinn felt a lump form in her throat, her mind racing with the thought of those innocent lives caught in the middle of this nightmare.

A noise behind them made them all jump. It sounded a shuffling sound, something on wood. They all snapped around and found a wardrobe, painted in bright colors in the back corner of the room.

"What the hell?" Ethan whispered, his bow at the ready.

Quinn took a deep breath, steeling herself. She stepped closer to the wardrobe, her hand reaching for the doorknob. It was cold to the touch. She paused for a moment, listening intently. The shuffling had stopped, replaced by a tense silence that was almost palpable. Then, with a gentle twist and a soft creak, she pulled the door open.

At first, all she saw was a jumble of clothes—tiny t-shirts, shorts, and socks—hanging neatly from the rods. Then, she noticed something that didn't quite fit. It was a shimmer of light, something that didn't belong. Her eyes searched through the fabric, and she gasped as she caught sight of a hand. A human hand, small and trembling, poking out from behind a row of colorful raincoats.

It was weird though because a moment ago, there was nothing there.

Quinn's eyes grew wide as she pushed the clothes aside. There, in the back of the wardrobe, huddled a small figure. A little girl, no older than eight, in a pink camp t-shirt and tan shorts. Her eyes were squeezed shut, her breaths coming in hitched sobs. She had one hand clutched around a stuffed pink rabbit, the other covering her mouth to muffle her cries. Quinn could smell the sour scent of urine and fear that clung to her. It was a scent that told a story of terror and loneliness that no child should ever have to experience.

She bent down, her heart thumping at the sight. "Its ok" she said softly. "No one's going to hurt you, you're safe."

A moment later, the girl looked up at her, her cheeks stained with dry tears. "The monsters are gone?"

Quinn shared an exchange with Ethan then looked back at the girl. "Yes, they're all gone."

The girl sniffled and looked past them. "Where's Jenny?"

Shit, thought Quinn.

"Who's Jenny?" she asked, still not sure how to deal with this. She was an only child after all, she didn't know how to deal with little kids.

"She's our Big Sister" said the girl, sniffling.

"Their Cabin counselor" said Ethan, clarifying. "I used to go this camp as a kid. The girls' get Big Sisters and the boys get Big Brothers."

Quinn bit her lip. "I don't know where Jenny is" She then had a thought. "Did Jenny put you in here?"

The little girl nodded. "She said I had to hide and stay quiet, so we stayed quiet. I heard the monsters though and screaming. Mr. Big Man shouted for everyone to run."

Mr. Big Man? A thought occurred to her.

"Was Mr. Big Man from the bus? Was he wearing a gray shirt?" she asked, hopeful.

The girl nodded. Quinn sighed. Mr. Harris.

"You don't know where he is, do you?" she asked, still hopefully.

The little girl shook her head again. "I only heard him shouting. He was a nice man. He helped us, took care of us."

Quinn shared another look with Ethan. She saw the confusion on his face. Something didn't make sense. They'd only been in this forest for two days. That wasn't really a lot of time. Plus the spoiled food and the state of the vehicles.

"Have you been here in the wardrobe long?" she asked.

The girl shook her head again. "Only since night time when the monsters came." She paused, crying again. "I peed, I'm sorry..."

Quinn felt a maternal instinct take over. She reached out and touched the girl's head, stroking it reassuringly.

"What's your name, sweetie?" she finally asked.

The little girl sniffled. "Sadie."

Quinn smiled. "That's a beautiful name. I'm Quinn" she turned and pointed at the boys. "That guy is Ethan and that boy is my friend Charlie."

The little girl looked at each of them in turn. When she locked eyes with Ethan, Quinn saw something. The little girl stared, almost as if she was mesmerized by him. Quinn smirked faintly. Ethan's good looks even wooed the little ones.

"Do you want to get out of there?" she asked, the girl hesitated.

"The pee..." she said, quivering.

Quinn tried not to laugh. "We'll get it cleaned up. You have spare clothes."

Sadie nodded and carefully climbed out of the wardrobe. She looked so tiny and vulnerable standing there. Quinn had to fight back tears at the sight. She had so much she wanted to tell the little girl but she knew it wasn't the right time. They had to find everyone else first.

"You guys go check outside. Make sure it's safe" she told Ethan and Charlie, the boys nodded in understanding.

Quinn waited until they left the cabin before turning to Sadie. She held out a hand and Sadie slowly took it. "Come on, let's get you into some clean clothes" she said with a gentle smile.

Sadie pointed out her bunk and a pink bag. They found some fresh clothes for her and Quinn slowly helped her strip out of the ones that were damp and dirty. While Sadie got dressed, Quinn noticed a mirror on the wall. She wandered over, having not looked at herself since she changed genders.

The sight of her reflection in the mirror was jarring. Quinn had been so focused on finding her friends and surviving this strange world that she hadn't noticed the changes in herself. Her face had softened, the angles sharper, her hair had grown longer, and she could see the beginnings of breasts under her shirt. She was still herself, but she was also someone else.

She noticed something else. She was covered in dirt, mud and blood.

The blood was the most disgusting thing. Thankfully it wasn't hers. She realized it probably belonged to either the goblins or that Ogre that Mack shot the hand off of. Her clothes were dirty and blood smeared as well. They didn't fit her body well anyway. Her shorts were too loose in some places and snug in others. Her budding chest also made her shirt a tad uncomfortable.

She turned To Sadie, thinking. "Does Jenny stay in this cabin too?"

Sadie nodded, just finishing dressing. "Over there."

Quinn saw a bigger bunk, a large duffle at the foot of it.

"Jenny's bunk?" she asked, and Sadie nodded.

Quinn walked over to the large bunk. She felt guilty but they needed to survive. She hoped Jenny wouldn't mind her borrowing some of her clothes. She unzipped the duffle and started rummaging through it. It smelled faintly of flowers and mint, a smell that made her think of home. She found a few shirts and pairs of shorts, some underwear. She was happy to lay her hands on a sports bra that might work. While her new buds were still small, they were rubbing against the fabric of her shirt and was starts to bother her.

She pulled off her dirty shirt and shorts. Standing there in boy's boxer briefs made her feel weird. She also suddenly felt self conscious and covered her chest with a hand shyly.

A moment later, she stripped out her boxers, refusing to look down there still. She found a pair of Jenny's panties, apologizing as she pulled them on. Then she struggled with the sports bra but think she managed. It was thankfully fit better than she thought. The shorts fit as well but were shorter than she would have liked. Finally came the shirt. Unfortunately she didn't have much of a choice in that matter. They were all camp shirts. She picked a white one with three pine trees on it.

"Do you think Jenny would mind if I borrowed these?" she asked and Sadie shook her head.

"Big Sister Jenny is nice" said the girl with a sad smile.

Quinn instinctively found herself going over to the girl and hugging her.

"It's okay Sadie" she whispered. "We're here now."

A moment later, Ethan knocked on the cabin door. Quinn called out for him to enter, her voice still shaky from the intense emotions of the discovery. He stepped in, his eyes wide with a mix of excitement and fear as he held a cardboard box brimming with snacks.

"Look what we found!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing in the deserted space. Quinn's gaze fell on the box, her stomach growling at the sight of the sugary and salty treasures within. Ethan explained that he and Charlie had stumbled upon the aftermath of a vending machine raid at the mess hall. Someone or something had broken into it, leaving a trail of scattered coins and shattered glass. The box was a trove of salvaged goods—chips, chocolate bars, and even a few uncrushed cans of soda.

"Jackpot!" said Quinn, grabbed a bag of chips and a can of soda.

She passed both Sadie who took them happily.

Charlie came into the camp, motioning Quinn away from the little girl. Ethan nodded and silently stepped into the cabin to watch her. While Quinn and Charlie walked away from the cabin, Charlie sighed.

"We found bodies" he said, keeping his voice low.

"What?" asked Quinn, now on high alert, reaching for her hatchet.

Charlie sighed again. "A couple of adults, one of them the bus driver. No kids or teens though. There's something else too, lots of the Ogres. They're scattered all about on the other side of the camp and all of them killed with those arrows."

So they really weren't alone.

"What does this tell you?" she asked him, hoping his "ability" might know something.

He rubbed the back of his neck. "I know a name but I don't think its going to help. There's something about these people, its blocking my Perception."

"Perception?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

He shrugged. "You call yours Tracker, mines like Perception".

Fair enough, she thought, not caring to argue over a little thing like a name.

"You think you can find them?" he asked, hopefully.

Quinn nodded, closing her eyes and focusing on her Tracker sense. She thought of the campers, but she didn't know their faces. The same for the teen counselors. It was like trying to find a whisper in a tornado. She tried to center on the arrow, hoping maybe it would lead her to whoever fired it. Still there was nothing. She sighed, opening her eyes. She shook her head and Charlie nodded.

They returned to the cabin, the sight of Sadie's tiny form in the corner was comforting. The little girl looked up at them with wide eyes, her cheeks still damp from her tears, but now slightly sticky with chip crumbs.

"It's okay Sadie" said Ethan, setting the box down. "You can have more if you want."

The little girl's eyes widened. "Really?"

He patted her head, she smiled happily. He walked over to Quinn and Charlie. "I have a sister back home, this feels the same" said Ethan willfully.

"How old?" asked Quinn, not sure why.

"She's ten" he said with a sad smile. "Funny, she always wanted to be a counselor at this camp"

Quinn nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.

"The camp seems to be our best bet for now," she murmured to the others, the reality of their decision sinking in. "It's got food, shelter, and it's the safest spot we've found."

Ethan nodded solemnly. "We can't keep moving without a plan. And we need to figure out what happened to everyone else."

Not only did they have Alex, Jake, Kurt and Ben to look for, they had all the kids at this camp too. This forest really sucked.

"Just when things are bad enough, this stupid forest throws more at us" grumbled Charlie, saying what all three of them were clearly thinking.

"I think we need to go from cabin to cabin and look for anything to salvageable, especially food and water." said Ethan, the others nodded. "I also think that Rec Hall is probably the best place to hunker down. The walls looked solid but more than that, those doors were heavy and had locks."

Quinn and Charlie didn't argue.

With a plan in place, Quinn told Sadie what was going on. Then she helped the little girl pack all her things. She explained they couldn't stay in this cabin and Sadie gave her no problems.

The search was grim. Each cabin they entered had a story, but no one was there to tell it. They found more signs of hasty evacuations and scattered things. They gathered as much as they could carry—sleeping bags, food, and water. Quinn noticed something peculiar, though. Despite the chaos, the cabins didn't seem to have been ransacked. It was almost as if everyone had dropped everything and ran, leaving everything behind.

They stepped outside, the warmth of the day dissipating into the cool evening air. The forest around them was eerily quiet, as if the trees themselves were holding their breath. The sight of the bodies was something they tried to avoid, not wanting to traumatize Sadie further. Thankfully most of them were at the other end of the camp where they decided not to go but there were a couple---like the first one they found---that they didn't want the little girl to see.

Inside the Rec Hall, Quinn made sure Sadie was comfortable, sitting her down on a bean bag she'd found. The girl clung to her pink rabbit, her eyes wide and darting around the familiar space. Quinn tried not to let the sadness show on her face as she watched her.

While Ethan and Charlie worked outside, bringing over bunks from the cabins, Quinn took stock of their new shelter. The Rec Hall had been abandoned, just like the rest of the camp, but it was a sprawling space with plenty of room for the four of them. It had a stone fireplace, which was a plus, and windows that could be barricaded. It was the safest place they could think of for now.

Nightfall came swiftly, bringing with it a cloak of darkness. Quinn's heart thumped in her chest as she listened to the rustling outside, her mind racing with images of monsters and missing friends. She took a deep breath and focused on the task at hand.

The fire in the Rec Hall's fireplace crackled to life, casting a warm glow over the room. Ethan had managed to scavenge enough firewood to last them the night, and the flickering flames danced shadows across the walls. They had set up a few kerosene lanterns around the space, their golden light illuminating the dusty floorboards and forgotten craft supplies. The room smelled faintly of pine and something faintly metallic—a stark contrast to the fresh scent of rain that still lingered from the storm that had brought them here.

Quinn found Charlie sitting by the fire, scrawling in a red leather bound book. "What's that?"

Charlie smiled. "I found this blank journal book in the lost and found in the main office" he said with a big smile. "I thought maybe I'd make a record of our journey."

Quinn looked at the name that Charlie decided to call his record---A Scout's Guide to Another World.

"Really?" she asked with a laugh.

Charlie shrugged. "I thought it kind of fitting"

She laughed but said nothing.

The silence was a strange companion to their evening. It felt heavy, filled with unspoken words and fears. They had survived a lot these past two days, found another survivor, and a place to stay but the night was another beast entirely. It was something she didn't look forward to. The nights were when things came out to play, when the monsters came out.

Quinn approached Ethan and Sadie. Ethan looked up from his makeshift barricade. He had moved tables and chairs, creating a circular space around the mattresses they had dragged from the cabin. He had even used the metal frames of several beds as part of their fortress. The thought made her smile a little. They were going to sleep on those mattresses with their sleeping bags, but at least they had something between them and the unknown.

"I found the keys for that storage back there on the..." he whispered, not wanting to say "body" but she nodded, understanding.

They had tried getting into that room earlier but it was locked tight. Ethan tried breaking in but no use. That's when he went to find the keys and was apparently successful.

They anticipate potential nocturnal dangers, reflecting on their harrowing experiences thus far.

The night had been slightly cold despite their best efforts to keep the fire going. The warmth of the day had been replaced by a restless chill that seemed to seep into their very bones. The fire in the Rec Hall did its best to keep the cold at bay, but it was a battle that was slowly being lost. The crackling flames cast a warm, flickering glow on their tired faces as they munched on their snacks for breakfast. The crunch of chips and the sweetness of chocolate bars filled their mouths as they chewed in silence, the only sound being the occasional pop from the fire.

In the morning light, the room looked less threatening than it had the night before, but the shadows still held secrets that made Quinn's skin crawl. She watched as Ethan and Charlie moved the makeshift barricade and as a group they approached the locked storage room in the back.

With a shaky hand, Ethan inserted the key into the lock and turned it. The sound echoed through the empty room. The door swung open with a squeak that sent a shiver down Quinn's spine. The storage room was larger than she had expected, packed to the brim with various camp supplies. They stepped inside, the musty smell of unused equipment and old canvas hitting them like a wall.

The sight before them was surprising—instead of food, the room was lined with racks of sports gear. Bows and arrows, baseball bats, and lacrosse sticks filled the shelves, all coated in a thin layer of dust. The realization dawned on them that they hadn't found sustenance but something equally as vital for their survival—weapons. They had been living off their wits and what little they had, but now, they had the means to defend themselves more effectively.

"Now that's what I'm talking about" said Ethan, grabbing a baseball bat and passing it to Charlie.

Charlie swung it clumsily but smiled nevertheless. "Day Three in Another World, we found weapons" he muttered happily.

Day three, thought Quinn, flabbergasted.

Technically it was now the fourth day since she left home. She wondered if her parents were worried yet. She supposed they'd be panicking, probably trying to call her. She pulled her now dead smartphone from her pack, staring at the blank, cracked screen. She felt a pang of sadness and worry. Would they get back home? Could they get back home?

Suddenly, Ethan put a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I know and I can't promise anything but I'll keep us safe and find a way."

It was reassuring in a way.

Their moment was interrupted by a loud noise.

It sounded like metal on wood and there was a screeching of tires.

Some idiot needs to learn how to drive, she thought until that thought hit her like a ton of bricks. Someone was driving, as in a vehicle.

They all froze for a moment, their hearts racing. The world outside the Rec Hall had been eerily quiet all morning, and the sudden interruption was jolting. They had grown accustomed to the rustle of the leaves and the occasional distant howl of a creature, but this was different. This was a sound from their world, a sound that didn't belong here.

They bolted out of the hall, their eyes searching the horizon for the source of the commotion. Through the gaps in the trees, a cloud of dust and leaves was billowing, hinting at something large and fast moving. The white truck emerged from the dense foliage, its headlights piercing the early morning gloom.

The vehicle looked like it had seen better days. The paint was scratched, the bumper hanging slightly askew, and the hood was dented. It skidded to a halt a few feet past the large camp sign. The driver's side door flew open and a figure stumbled out, looking around in a daze.

It was a woman in her twenties, dressed in a ranger's uniform.  Her auburn hair was tied up in a hasty bun, strands escaping and framing her flushed face. She looked like she had been through hell and back. Her eyes were wild and her breathing was ragged as she scanned the area for threats.

A moment later, Jake and Kurt rose up from the flatbed of the Ranger station vehicle. Quinn's heart skipped a beat. Her friends, the ones she'd been worried about for two days, they were alive. The other two scouts looked dirty and bedraggled. Then she saw Kurt clearly. Jake was struggling to help him down from the truck. She remembered what Charlie had said, he got shot. She looked to where his shoulder was haphazardly bandaged but the blood was seeping through.

Kurt looked in rough shape, sweating and pale.

The Ranger woman saw them first. She was surprised to see people, especially after what she had been through. She had known the camp was there, the last thing she expected was to find a group of kids standing in the middle of it. Then Jake locked eyes with Quinn and smiled, though it was about all he could do at the moment. The relief and joy on his face was palpable. He had found someone who might know what was happening.

Quinn was the first to rush over, followed closely by Charlie. There were tears in her eyes, she was so happy to see her friends.

"Is he ok?" she asked when she got to them.

Jake looked grim but the Ranger spoke first. "We got the arrow out and gave him some rudimentary first but I think its infected. We need..."

"An infirmary" said Ethan, who was carrying Sadie in his arms, like an overprotective big brother.

The Ranger nodded. "That's why I tried to find this place. We tried all night, we just..." She sighed, wiping her sweaty brow.

Charlie spoke up. "The forest doesn't want you to find things".

What he said hung in the air but no one said anything.

Ethan gently set Sadie down and she rushed over to Quinn, clinging to her leg. Quinn picked her up, the little girl's arms tightening around her neck. Then Ethan took the lead, with Jake and Heather following with Kurt, who was now groaning in pain. They moved quickly through the camp, retracing their steps from the night before. Quinn followed, her mind racing. They had to get to the infirmary fast.

The infirmary looked just like it had when she had found it with Ethan and Charlie, but it felt different now. It was no longer a place of eerie solitude but a place of hope and potential salvation. The Ranger's voice was calm and collected as she instructed Ethan to place Kurt on the nearest cot.

"I found them after I left the ranger station for help" she explained as they gently put Kurt on the cot. "They were quite the sight".

Jake nodded, his eyes red from exhaustion. "Yeah, we were trying to get away from... something big."

"Those Ogres" said Quinn, knowing Charlie's part of the story. "We've met them".

Jake looked at Charlie. "I'm glad you got away at least" He then lowered his voice. "They grabbed Ben, took off with him before we could react".

Shit, thought Quinn.

That was not what she wanted to hear.

She then looked over at the Ranger. "You're Heather, right?"

The woman nodded, confused and surprised. "How do you know that?"

Quinn shared a look with Ethan. "Keith told us" she said quietly.

"Keith?" sad Heather, frantic. "Where is he? Is he here?"

Another look shared between Ethan and Quinn. Ethan spoke. "A lot has happened. I'll do my best to explain while we help Kurt".

Quinn nodded, turning to her other friend. "Come on, let's give them some space" she told Jake, her voice filled with a firmness that surprised even herself. She walked out of the room, Sadie still in her arms. Charlie followed, his eyes filled with a mix of relief and dread.

The three of them stepped into the cool morning air, the smell of the forest enveloping them as they moved away from the infirmary. The leaves whispered their secrets in the breeze, and the chirping of birds seemed almost too cheerful given the gravity of the situation.

"So..." said Jake, after a moment of two of silence. "That was one hell of storm".

Jake liked humor to diffuse a situation but no one laughed. Quinn had a strange relationship with him. They were friends but since her coming out as trans before the trip and his attitude about it, she wasn't sure where they stood. They didn't exactly part as buddies the night of the storm.

"So Charlie told me about happened during the storm and the morning after..." She said, not wanting to recap it. "I woke up in the forest, found the tents but you guys were gone. Then I found Charlie, saved him from some goblins and we together found Ethan and his Uncle Mack"

"Wait, did you say goblins?" asked a dumbfounded Jake.

Charlie quickly explained how the goblins almost killed him and how Quinn came out of nowhere, turning into a badass and slaughtering them.

Quinn still wasn't sure how she did it.

Quinn continued the story about hearing the gunshot and finding the two hunters, Ethan and his uncle, Mack. How she was able to find the ranger station with Keith and how after a night of taking shelter there they were attacked in the morning by those very same Ogres.

"There's three of us now" she said, hoping she didn't have to go into detail about losing Keith and Mack.

Jake nodded, understanding.

"This ability of yours..." he asked, lowering his voice. "Is it all tingly and shit?"

What Jake said surprised her. She nodded, not sure where this was going.

"I think I might have one too" he said slowly. "I'm not sure though. It happened when the Ogre smacked me with his club and I went flying into the forest. I hit a tree but I didn't feel any plan. A blow like that should have seriously fucked me up too but nothing. I got right back up and actually the Ogre came after me. He hit me again but it still didn't hurt."

She was flabbergasted. It almost sounded like Jake was saying he said kind of ability to not feel any pain or get injured.

"How did you guys get away?" asked Charlie, anxious to know what happened to them after he ran away.

Jake frowned. "I heard Ben scream. I ran back in time to see them dragging off him and Kurt. They were fast but I ran after them. The one with Kurt was slower because he was dragging an injured Kurt. I'm not sure what happened but my body felt like steel. I slammed into it, fists swinging. It was like instinct. I beat it senseless and managed to get Kurt back. I couldn't catch the one dragging Ben though..."

Another problem they'd have to face, she thought, cursing.

Jake looked around. "Is Alex here too?"

Quinn shook her head. "We have no idea where he is either. After fleeing the ranger station, we eventually found the summer camp. It was completely abandoned, except for Sadie who we found hiding. She said monsters attacked. No Alex but Mr. Harris was here"

He was alive too as far as she knew. Charlie had told her last night when they found the bodies Mr. Harris was not among them.

"So we're not on Earth anymore, right?" asked Jake, looking at Charlie, who nodded. Jake laughed. "One of your stupid anime has finally come true. You must be thrilled."

"Do I look thrilled?" asked Charlie, Jake said nothing.

After that, the three of them decided to go back to check on Kurt, Quinn still carrying Sadie. She'd been strangely quiet during their whole conversation. The little girl had watched them the whole time but didn't add anything. Quinn wondered if she was still in shock.

In the infirmary, they found the room quiet, almost too quiet. Kurt lay on the cot, his breathing even and deep. The Ranger, Heather, looked up as they entered. She had cleaned him up and changed his bandages, which were now cleaner and tighter. Ethan had found some medical supplies in the cabin, which was a relief.

"We treated the infection with some antibiotics we found, he's resting now" said Heather with a relieved sigh.

Quinn nodded then asked. "Are you up to speed on everything?"

Heather quietly sighed. "Pretty much. I feel bad about leaving Keith, if I had known..."

"Not your fault, none of us could have predicted this" said Ethan reassured.

After that, they left Kurt to rest peacefully in the infirmary and took Jake and Heather to the Rec Hall and their makeshift shelter.

They gave Jake and Heather some food and water, watching as the color slowly returned to their faces. Sadie was sitting by the fireplace, scribbling away in a coloring book they had found in one of the cabinets. The bright colors looked almost surreal in this otherwise grim setting. It was a small slice of home in a world that was anything but.

"So what do we do now?" asked Charlie, finally breaking the silence.

Heather looked at them all, the weight of their situation etched into her eyes. "First, we survive," she said firmly. "We need to fortify our position, find more supplies, and set up some form of communication."

Jake nodded, his eyes flicking to Quinn. "But we can't just leave Ben with those things," he said, his voice tight. "We have to do something."

Heather leaned forward, her expression sympathetic but firm. "I understand, and we will, but we can't go after Ben without a plan. We need to know more about these Ogres, their patterns, and their territory."

Jake clenched his fists, frustration and determination fighting on his young features. "But we can't just leave him there!"

"I know," Heather said, her voice a mix of compassion and steel. "Believe me, I don't want to either. But we need to be smart about this. We have to be strong for ourselves first if we want to be strong for Ben."

Jake nodded, his expression torn between anger and understanding. "But we can't just wait around here," he said. "We have to do something."

Heather took a deep breath. "I know it's hard, but we can't go after Ben blindly. We need to know where they took him, how to get there, and what we're walking into."

Their back and forth went on for a few minutes before Ethan interrupted them.

"We can't forget about the kids from this camp either" he said, hoping to steer things away from an argument he was certain had been happening a lot between those two.

Heather nodded, understanding the concern. "We'll keep that in mind, but we can't split our efforts. We need to focus on one thing at a time".

The tension in the room was palpable as they debated, each trying to balance their fear and hope. The fire crackled and spit in the background, casting flickering shadows on their faces. The smell of the burning wood mingled with the faint metallic scent of fear.

What about Alex, thought Quinn, still concerned for her best friend.

"Going around in circles isn't helping" Heather finally admitted, running her hands through her hair that was now down and flowing. "Can we all agree that securing this place should be our top priority?"

No one argued, not even Jake, even though he was still angry.

So that's what they set out to do.

For the next two days, the group worked tirelessly to fortify their makeshift base in the Rec Hall. The rest of the camp was like a fortress, surrounded by a dense barricade of trees and thick underbrush that made it almost impossible to penetrate. The path that Heather's truck had forged was already starting to close in on itself, as if the very land was trying to keep them contained. It was eerie and disconcerting, but it also provided a natural defense against whatever lurked beyond the camp's borders.

Quinn still wasn't sure how those Ogres were able to penetrate it before like that.

Speaking of the bodies, they buried the humans and left the Ogre bodies in a pile that they burned. Of course all of it without Sadie seeing.

One of the good things about all of this was that Kurt fully recovered. He was conscious now too but still not able to leave the infirmary, his shoulder was still pretty tender and he was still pretty weak from the infection.

The other scouts had filled him in on everything though. He, like Jake, wanted to go after Ben too.

"One thing at a time" was all Heather would say on it.

Quinn knew that she had to respect Heather's experience, but she couldn't help feeling a little frustrated with the Ranger's firmness. It was like she was their new troop leader and wasn't taking any suggestions from the peanut gallery. She had them up at dawn, working on fortifications and gathering supplies. They were all exhausted but Heather didn't let up.

On the third morning at the summer camp, they ran out of food. It was inevitable, what with them eating from a vending machine.

Quinn volunteered to head into the forest to look for something. She figured her Tracker ability might come in handy. Ethan and Jake agreed to go with her.

Heather handed Jake a machete they found in the ground keeper's shed. "I should go with you too" she said, not liking sending the three teenagers out there alone.

Quinn shook her head. "You're the only one who knows how to use that shotgun".

She pointed to the gun sitting on the table nearby. It was the one that hand been missing from the ranger station gun cabinet, the one Keith had said she took with her. They didn't have a lot of ammo for it but hopefully they wouldn't need to use it anytime soon.

They set out, Jake taking point with the machete Heather had given him. It felt heavy and unfamiliar in his hands, but he knew he'd need it if they encountered any more of those things. Quinn followed closely with the baseball bat in one hand and a hunting knife in the other, feeling the weight of the weapon and wondering if it would be enough. Behind them, Ethan had his bow of course and a quiver full of his own arrows and the ones he retrieved from the Ogre corpses.

The forest was dense and foreboding just like before. Quinn reached out with her Tracker ability, hoping to pinpoint food. The trees whispered secrets that she couldn't quite understand, but she felt a pull to the right, where the underbrush was thickest.

"I think there's something that way" she said, hopeful.

They all turned and started walking, but before they had gone twenty feet into the forest, she felt it. That tingling, the same one that had helped her find her way to the ranger station. But it was different this time. It wasn't a sense of comfort or direction, it was a warning.

"Guys, stop" she said suddenly, holding up a hand.

They did, looking around nervously.

"What is it?" whispered Jake, his grip tightening on the machete.

Quinn's eyes widened as she stared at the spot where the sensation grew stronger. "We're not alone," she murmured, her heart racing.

Suddenly, a hooded figure dropped down from the tree directly in their path. The figure's bow was drawn, taut with an arrow that gleamed with an unearthly light. Before they could react, more shadows detached themselves from the foliage around them, each revealing a similar archer poised for attack. The three friends found themselves surrounded in a ring of tense silence, the air thick with the promise of danger.

"Lower your weapons, Outworlders" said a voice in distinct English.

The severity of the situation struck Quinn with an overwhelming sense of awe and confusion.

Outworlders, they called them Outworlders.

What did that even mean?

To Be Continued

Author’s note: As I’m sure all of you know, comments are life blood to an author. I’m not begging or demanding, but I certainly would appreciate anything you have to say (or ask). It doesn’t have to be long and involved, just give me your reaction to the story. Thanks in advance...EOF