Lost in the Woods

    By Logan Ruiz

    Lost in the Woods cover image

    01 May, 2024

    a woman standing in a forest with a backpack on her shoulder and a pink background with trees and bushes, private press, a character portrait, Ada Gladys Killins, comic cover art

    The family of John, Sarah, and their little girl, Emily embarked on a trip into the dense woods. Emily was chirping with excitement, oblivious to her parents' growing unease.

    a couple of kids standing in a forest next to each other with trees in the background and a forest with tall grass, serial art, poster art, Ada Gladys Killins, key art

    As they ventured deeper, the playful chatter of Emily echoed through the forest, causing shivers down their spine. They looked at each other, their smiles hiding the increasing fear.

    a painting of two people standing in a forest at sunset, one of them is wearing a blue jacket, serial art, a comic book panel, Ada Gladys Killins, comic cover art

    As the sun started to set, the forest became an orchestra of strange sounds. Suddenly, they realized Emily was no longer with them. Their hearts pounded in terror.

    a woman standing in a forest with a bird on her shoulder and a bird on her shoulder, in front of a tree, serial art, poster art, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, comic cover art

    They started calling out Emily's name, their voices echoing in the silent woods. The chirping of the birds was replaced by an eerie silence, amplifying their fear.

    a man and a woman walking through a forest under a full moonlit sky with trees and leaves on the ground, sots art, poster art, Dan Mumford, book cover

    They stumbled through the undergrowth, their torches casting long shadows. Their hearts raced as every rustle seemed to whisper Emily's name, yet she was nowhere to be found.

    a woman standing in a forest with a bloodied face and a bloodied shirt on her shirt is looking at the camera, serial art, a character portrait, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, comic cover art

    They discovered Emily's pink jacket snagged on a tree branch. Panic surged through them. The forest seemed to close in, the darkness now a thick, suffocating blanket.

    a man standing in a forest with trees in the background and fog in the air above him, with a black face, photorealism, poster art, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, promotional image

    Their pleas echoed through the forest, each one more desperate than the last. Their fear was now a living entity, gnawing at their sanity.

    a man and woman standing in the woods together, with a man standing behind them, and a woman standing behind them, antipodeans, a poster, Eddie Mendoza, promotional image

    Suddenly, they heard a soft cry. Their hearts leapt. Was it Emily? They followed the sound, their hope rekindling like a flame in the darkness.

    a painting of two children standing in a forest at night with a full moon in the background and a full moon in the sky, serial art, poster art, Dan Mumford, comic cover art

    They found Emily huddled under a tree, her small body shaking with fear. Their hearts overflowed with relief as they rushed towards her, their nightmare finally ending.

    a man and a woman standing in a forest with trees in the background and fog in the air,, serial art, a poster, Derold Page, promotional image

    They held Emily close, their tears mingling with hers. The forest no longer felt menacing. It was as if it was breathing a sigh of relief along with them.

    two children walking in the woods with a pink jacket on and a blue shirt on and a pink jacket on, afrofuturism, a poster, Felix-Kelly, promotional image

    As dawn broke, they emerged from the forest, a sense of victory in their hearts. The ordeal had brought them closer, their bond stronger than ever.

    a painting of a young girl in a pink jacket in a forest with trees and a fallen branch in the foreground, photorealism, a detailed painting, Dan Mumford, highly detailed digital painting

    They looked back at the forest one last time. It stood silent, a testament to their nightmare, a reminder of their triumph. They had faced their fear, and they had won.