The Abyss Below (Episode 1: The Descent Begins)

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It all started with an innocent trip. A group of five friends, thrill-seekers by nature, decided to spend the weekend camping in the dense, remote woods of Ashcroft. Ethan, the ringleader, had heard rumors about a cave system that lay forgotten deep in the forest—uncharted, untouched, and unknown.

"People say it goes on for miles underground," Ethan said excitedly, his green eyes sparkling with the thrill of discovery. "They say it’s unexplored, and no one’s been brave enough to map it out. I say we’re the ones to do it."

Claire, Ethan’s girlfriend, rolled her eyes but smiled. "You always find the strangest ways to make us risk our lives for fun."

Beside them, Jake and Lydia exchanged nervous glances. Jake, always the cautious one, hesitated. "Are you sure this is a good idea? If no one’s explored it, there might be a reason why."

"Nah," Ethan waved off the concern. "People are just superstitious. It’s just an old cave. What’s the worst that could happen?"

The fifth member of their group, Mia, said nothing. She was the quietest among them, preferring to observe rather than lead. But she had a strange feeling about this trip, an unease that gnawed at her from the moment they entered the forest.

As dusk settled over the trees, the group set up camp and began their search for the cave’s entrance. It wasn’t long before they found it—a small, unassuming hole in the ground, almost hidden by the thick undergrowth. But as they peered inside, the sense of mystery deepened. The entrance was narrow and sloped downward at a steep angle, disappearing into darkness.

"This is it," Ethan said, his voice full of excitement. "Grab your gear, we’re going in."

One by one, they squeezed through the opening and descended into the cave. At first, it was exhilarating—the thrill of discovery. The air was cool and damp, and the narrow passage eventually opened up into a larger cavern. Their flashlights illuminated strange, twisted formations of rock that looked almost organic, like the cave had been shaped by something alive.

"Whoa," Lydia said, her voice echoing off the stone walls. "This place is incredible."

But as they ventured deeper, the excitement began to fade, replaced by a growing sense of dread. The further they descended, the stranger the cave became. The walls seemed to pulse with an unnatural energy, and the air grew colder, thicker, almost suffocating.

"I don’t like this," Mia said quietly, her voice barely audible over the drip of water echoing through the cavern. "Something’s not right."

Ethan laughed, trying to shake off the unease. "Come on, Mia. It’s just a cave. You’re letting your imagination get the better of you."

But Mia wasn’t convinced, and neither were the others. Something about the cave felt wrong. It was as though the deeper they went, the more the cave seemed to swallow them whole, pulling them into its dark, suffocating embrace.

And then, they heard it.

A low, guttural sound echoed through the tunnels, sending chills down their spines. It was distant, almost like the wind—except there was no wind down here. The sound was unnatural, alien, and it reverberated through the stone, making the very ground beneath their feet vibrate.

"What was that?" Jake asked, his voice shaky.

No one answered. They stood frozen in the darkness, their flashlights flickering as the sound grew louder, closer.

Suddenly, the ground beneath them shifted. The rock trembled, and before anyone could react, the floor gave way, sending them tumbling into the abyss below.