"Who the hell would pick his retirement home in the middle of a jungle?!!" Jake vented his frustration by kicking a wayward rock. It skittered away into the enveloping darkness of the night, disappearing like a phantom. That fleeting moment of relief was short-lived.
"My father," Ryan replied with his usual monotone voice, leading Jake through the thick, foreboding forest, cradling his expensive video camera.
Ryan's simple answer once again ignited the simmering anger within Jake. He clenched his fists and swallowed his frustration. "Then tell me, what the heck are we looking for?"
Ryan sighed and gingerly placed his camera on the ground. "I've been hearing strange noises from this part of the jungle for a while now."
"So?" Jake's impatience was palpable.
"I'm curious to find out," Ryan shrugged, his posture betraying his innocence.
"No! You're just mad."
"Stop whining like a child if you need the money," Ryan's tone remained devoid of emotion. Yet, his words stung like venom.
"That's the only reason I'm here," Jake muttered through labored breaths.
Following Ryan through the dense jungle at night had taken its toll. Occasional howls, eerie sounds, and chilling silences had tested Jake's resolve, but the promise of a thousand dollars had pushed him onward.
Another hour crept by, and still, there was no sign of the mysterious voices. Jake glanced at his watch; midnight was fast approaching. "Let's go back. It's late."
"Fine, let's go back. I'll return tomorrow," Ryan agreed, starting to pack up his camera.
"Tomorrow? Why? Can't you see there's nothing out here? Your strange, mysterious voices are just random forest noises. Stop being curious and live a happy life, man."
Ryan simply shook his head in disappointment and began walking toward home. "Wait for me…" Jake followed behind, but just then, from deep within the forest, an unearthly cry shattered the stillness.
It was a deafening scream, like something out of this world. Its source felt otherworldly, not belonging to the realm of the living. Fear gripped both of their hearts, a fear beyond the darkness or lurking predators they had encountered earlier—an unfamiliar terror.
Ryan grabbed his camera, tossed his bag aside, and instead of retreating, he dashed toward the source of the spine-chilling sound. Jake felt helpless, watching Ryan's figure fade into the distance, his flashlight piercing the inky blackness.
As the jungle closed around him once more, Jake knew he had no choice but to follow, his own curiosity compelling him forward into the abyss of the unknown.
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