Work Text:
"Action!"
The camera spanned around the room, passing the busy bunk beds as it searched for a face.
"Jeongguk, I'm bare-faced." A young boy whined, covering the camera with his hands. "Leave the filming for later." He let out a small giggle as he peered down the lens, sticking his tongue out.
"Introducing, the one and only Director Park Jimin." Jeongguk chuckled softly, watching through the viewing screen. "You wanted a documentary."
"On the witch." Jimin retorted, turning to continue filling his rucksack.
"I see one!" Jeongguk yelped as Jimin slapped his forearm, pushing him backwards.
The elder shot him a harsh glare, "Watch it, or I'll feed you to the wolves."
"Do we need toothpaste?" A red-haired boy dangled from the top bunk, sticking his face into view. Jeongguk zoomed in, capturing his face up close.
"And here we have a wild Taehyung in his natural habitat." Jeongguk followed Taehyung with the camera as he climbed down from the bunk, "The tiger is ready to pounce."
Taehyung bared his teeth, approaching the camera slowly with a growl. He stepped forward, causing Jeongguk to take a step back.
"The tiger has locked onto his target." He whispers into his microphone, "Send backup, Send backup!"
Taehyung pounced forward, sending the camera scattering across the room as Jeongguk screamed. "Target acquired!" The elder declared as he wrestled Jeongguk to the floor.
"Bunch of fools." Jimin groaned as he picked up the camera, pointing it at his face, "And scene."
"You're lucky it's not broken." A voice called out from the doorway, "Stop acting like children, we have places to be."
Jimin rose from the bed, kicking his friends in the side, "You heard the man." He slung his bag over his shoulder, groaning at the weight. "Namjoon, do we seriously need all of this for one night?"
Namjoon nodded, holding out the list he'd prepared earlier, "It's better to be safe than sorry." He shot Jimin an apologetic smile, "Come on, I want everyone in the car within the next five minutes."
"Yes, sir." Taehyung and Jeongguk responded in unison, saluting the elder.
"Okay, cut the camera."
-
"Is this thing on?" Jimin's face appeared in frame, tapping at the screen. "1,2... testing, testing."
Jeongguk hummed in agreement, panning the camera around the car. Namjoon sat in the passenger seat, fiddling with a compass while Taehyung drove. "Look at this view." He turned the camera towards the window, revealing the vast mountain range surrounding them. It appeared similar to a painting, the sunrise casting a golden glow across the mountain tops, the light bouncing from every surface.
"We are en route to the Blair Witch forest." Jimin's face appeared in frame again as he began to speak, "We have abandoned the comforts of our home to document this local legend." His voice came out dramatic, pushing the narration. "Why would we do this, you may ask yourself? To solve the mystery, of course."
"For a better grade." Taehyung quipped back at him, winking once the camera caught his face.
Jimin rolled his eyes, kicking the back of Taehyung's seat. "Be serious! Jeongguk cut the camera."
"Argument one." Jeongguk mumbled into the microphone before switching off the camera.
-
The camera flickered on to reveal an old caravan, displaying only the American flag from its window. At first glance, the van appeared abandoned, as though they were the first to even lay eyes upon the thing in years.
"Are you sure this is the right place?" Jimin hesitated, standing close to the car.
Namjoon glanced down at his map before referring to his notepad, "Well, it has the flag." He shrugged, urging Jimin towards the door.
Jimin turned to the camera, pulling a worried face, "If I get kidnapped, it's Namjoon's fault."
The elder rolled his eyes, nudging his shoulder, "We don't have all day, the others will be here soon."
Jeongguk stood at a distance, watching the scene play out through his viewfinder as Taehyung circled the pair with his own camera, capturing the shot up close.
The camera zoomed in, revealing Jimin's trembling hands as he knocked against the caravan door. He paused for a moment, listening in. After a moment without response, he stepped back, exhaling deeply. "Nobody's home, let's go-"
He was swiftly interrupted as the door creaked open, revealing an elderly woman. The woman stood in silence, her long grey hair dishevelled around her face. Jimin peered in behind her. The caravan was filled with memorabilia he'd only seen in photographs, depictions of the Blair Witch filled the walls, surrounded by sketches of what he could only assume were stick figures assembled with branches.
"Mary brown?" Jimin asked, extending his hand, "We are the students from Seoul University."
The old woman stared at his hand with distaste in her eyes. She clutched a battered bible to her chest, her fingernails denting the cover. "How can I help you?" Her voice came out slow, drawn like nails on a chalkboard.
Tucking his hand back into his pocket, the younger continued, "We're here to discuss the encounter you had with the Blair Witch." Jimin struggled to keep his voice steady as he shuffled on his feet, sending nervous glances towards the camera.
The woman's eyes lightened in realisation, her previously defensive posture relaxing, "Ah, that is a scary story." She stared into the camera as she spoke, "Back when I was a child, my father and I would fish down those parts." For a moment, the woman appeared to be lost within her own memory. "I was lying in the leaves, and I could feel something watching me. Something eerie, sinister almost."
The boys shuddered at the thought, exchanging nervous looks as she recited her story.
"It was a woman! Like nothing I'd ever seen before." The woman's eyes darkened as the memory returned, "Her arms and legs were filled with coarse black hair, really dark, something resembling a horse."
"Like fur?" Jimin questioned, leaning in with curiosity.
"Yeah, like a fur. On her arms, she had a shawl, made from wool."
Namjoon noted her every word into his notepad, scrawling a small question mark against her statement. He mentally noted to check the woman's psychotic history.
"Did she threaten you? Did she hurt you?" Jimin pushed, hoping for something dramatic to add to the documentary.
The woman shook her head, hair falling into her face. "She didn't speak a word, just kept staring. She only opened her shawl; underneath was more hair."
"So, she was hairy?" The younger struggled to take this seriously, gradually becoming more disappointed with every word she spoke. "What about her face?"
"Strange. It was strange." Peering through her hair, the woman shot the group a warning look, her eyes filled with a fear that had not been present before. "I'd advise you boys, to stay far away from those woods."
Her serious glance sent a chill through their spines, hair rising on their arms. Taehyung fumbled before cutting the camera, signalling for Jeongguk to do the same.
-
"She was batshit crazy." Jimin sighed, lips forming a pout.
Jeongguk chuckled behind the camera, zooming in on his pout.
"We can't trust a word she says. Apparently, she claims to be a scientist and a historian?" Namjoon added, raising his eyebrow as he scanned over his notepad.
Taehyung chimed in, "Let's not tell Hoseok what she said, or he might not agree to join us."
"He will find out one way or the other, you can't keep telling him it's a documentary on fishing." Jimin huffed, pulling out his phone. "Yoongi said they've arrived."
Peering into the camera, Namjoon wiggled his eyebrows, "Tune in next time to see our friend shit his pants."
The group burst into laughter, the camera shaking as Jeongguk switched it off.
-
"I'm not doing that!" Hoseok's anger-ridden face appeared on screen. "You all knew?" He glanced around the group, shooting daggers at each one of them.
"Hoseok, come on, we knew you wouldn't-" Jimin silenced as Hoseok cut him off.
"No. Jimin, I am fucking pissed." He spat out, grabbing his rucksack from the floor. "Take me home."
Jeongguk sat against the car, holding the camera close; he had forgotten to film the first half of the interaction and knew better than to say something now. "Argument 2." He mumbled under his breath.
"Turn that off." Hoseok pointed towards the camera.
"Please, come on, it's just the woods. You know this story isn't real." The younger whined, pleading with his friend to stay.
"I said turn it off!" Hoseok snatched the camera from Jeongguk's hands. The last of the captured audio being Jeongguk's frustrated complaints for him to be careful with such an expensive device.
-
The camera panned around the car, a tense atmosphere present between the group.
"We got him to agree." Jimin whispered into his microphone, sending the camera a wink.
"I got him to agree." A dark-haired face appeared on screen. "Min Yoongi, professional Hoseok tamer at your service." He gave a sly smile as the camera panned over to Hoseok's clearly livid face.
"I hate you all." Hoseok grumbled, covering his face from view.
"Yah! When do I get introduced?" A whiny voice came from off-camera.
The camera panned to the back of the car, where a tall man sat, arms crossed across his chest in annoyance. Upon spotting the camera, his whiny pout turned into a bright and smug smile.
"Kim Seokjin, World wide handsome at your service," Seokjin smirked, winking as he checked himself out in the viewfinder.
"This is a documentary on the Blair Witch. Not you." Jimin interrupted, pulling the camera towards his face. "We are now approaching Black Hills forest, better known as the Blair Witch forest." He nudged Jeongguk, directing him to point the camera towards the window. The dense woods surrounded them, and as the sun set, it was growing impossible to see farther than a foot beyond the trees.
"I don't think I can do this." Hoseok refused to look out the window, staring down at his hands as he picked at his skin.
Taehyung placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, shooting him a soft, boxy smile, "Hyung, it's no different to our camping trips."
Namjoon leaned over, switching the radio on, as Knockin' on Heaven's Door began playing from the speakers. "Uh, maybe not that one." He chuckled sheepishly, switching over to a song with a brighter beat.
-
"You have to be kidding me." Hoseok muttered under his breath, his voice barely being picked up by the microphone Seokjin was holding over his head.
The trees surrounded them in every direction, the last glimpse of the sun beginning to fade over the horizon.
"Come on, we don't have long until it'll be pitch black." Namjoon called out from inside the tent, sticking his head out to glance around.
Jeongguk panned the camera across the trees, "You can barely see anything, Taehyung, yours has night mode, right?" Taehyung nodded in response, lifting his own camera over his shoulder.
Jimin sat in the entryway of the tent, scanning over his notes, "Let's just explore this area a little. We have a long day tomorrow, so we shouldn't exhaust ourselves."
The group set off, striding through the woods with confidence. All, except Hoseok.
"Guys, seriously, couldn't we have done a documentary on literally anything else? We don't even have a signal here." He held his phone in the air, sighing as he followed behind. Every slight noise had him jumping in fear, "Did you guys hear that?"
"There's nothing there, you're paranoid." Yoongi poked the younger's side, chuckling at his behaviour.
Jeongguk walked backwards alongside Jimin, filming the group. He watched through the viewfinder, his eyes scanning over the others.
Jimin trudged through the woods, kicking the leaves aside as he walked. The documentary was his idea. Ever since the Blair Witch had been introduced to him, he'd had an inexplicable connection to the story, spending day and night researching and yearning for more. To be here, standing in the very woods where the legend began, was a dream he never believed would come true. Getting the others to agree took months, let alone the university. The film had a limited budget, with over seventy percent going on travel costs alone; they were left to use what little money they had left for supplies. Luckily, Jeongguk and Taehyung owned cameras of their own; his mother had lent them an old and ragged tent, earning distrustful looks from his friends, he told them they'd make do.
"Guys?"
"Hoseok, there is nothing there we've told you a thousand times," Namjoon grumbled, rolling his eyes at the camera. "Drop it."
"No, seriously." Hoseok pointed down toward the river where two fishermen stood.
"Oh," The group responded in unison, eyes following his point.
Jimin was the first to move, rushing towards the men, filled with excitement. "Hello, excuse me?"
"Jimin, be careful," Jeongguk muttered, chasing after him, "We don't know if it's safe."
One of the men looked up, placing his fishing rod to the side as he gave the group a small wave. "Out hiking, boys?"
"Actually.." Jimin started, "We are researching the Blair Witch." He noticed the darkened expression that made its way across both men's faces, their cheerful atmosphere dampened by the group's arrival.
"Ah, that myth." The taller fisherman piped up, chuckling as he nudged his friend.
"Myth?" Jimin raised his eyebrow as he urged Namjoon to make notes.
The man nodded proudly, "That's all it is, young man. A myth, nothing more." He shot his friend a warning glance as he mumbled something under his breath.
"What was that?" Jimin questioned the other, ignoring the taller fisherman's warning stare.
"You damn kids will never learn, will you?" The shorter man appeared agitated.
"Jimin, maybe we should go." Taehyung stepped forward, placing his hand around Jimin's arm.
"What makes you say that?" Jimin brushed his hand away, bringing his chin up to appear more confident as he spoke. He nodded towards the camera, "Is it okay if we include filming you? It's for school." He hoped the final statement would influence the man's response.
"I don't give a shit."
"You have to say yes or no, legal reasons." Jimin replied with a small smile.
The man sighed, furrowing his eyebrows. "Sure, yeah, whatever. So you kids ain't heard of Robin Weaver?" He continued as the group shook their heads, "Girl went missing around here after meddling around, just like what you kids are doing."
Jimin's eyes widened; he hadn't come across such a story through his research.
"A couple of days later, she shows up."
"Alive?" Jimin's voice came out small, almost a whisper.
"Barely." The man smirked, watching the boy's expression change with every word. "Came spurting all this nonsense about a woman in the woods."
"Was she hairy?"
The men both laughed at his comment, communicating through glances. "Probably, living in the woods and all."
Jimin furrowed his brow, crossing his arms as he realised the two fishermen saw him as a joke. "Have you ever seen her?"
"Have we fuck." The taller spoke up, soon being cut off by his fellow fisherman.
"I did once." The shorter was hesitant before clearing his throat, "Saw her across the way." He pointed out over the river, Jimin followed his gaze over the water to the riverbed opposite. The dark had begun to strike; from the other side, the trees were merely a combined shadow.
"And it's a damn myth." The taller spoke up once more, gathering his equipment. "You kids be careful out here. Don't go getting lost."
The fishermen walked away without a second glance.
"Holy shit." Hoseok glanced into the camera with a worried expression.
"She's real?" Jimin's eyes glittered with excitement.
The camera went static before shutting off completely.
-
The orange glow filled the screen as the campfire flickered against the lens.
"Is it working?" Taehyung's worried voice cut through the static.
Jeongguk peered into the viewfinder, "Yeah, I don't understand. It's fully charged." He checked the camera over once more, his concerned face appearing on screen.
"Maybe it's a sign." Hoseok whispered, poking at the campfire with a branch.
Seokjin chuckled, resting his head on Hoseok's shoulder, "You're a wuss."
Jeongguk zoomed into the fire; the marshmallows they were roasting sat above the flame.
"This is nice, it's like a holiday." Jimin's cheery voice came from off-camera as he took a photograph of the group with his disposable camera.
Namjoon posed before returning to his map, continuing to study every inch of it. "This place is huge." He groaned, realising the sheer amount of walking ahead.
Jimin settled behind Hoseok, wrapping his arms around him and resting his head on his shoulder. "Hyung, when this is all over, I'll take you to Disneyland."
Hoseok giggled softly, leaning into him, "And how will you afford this?"
"We will be rich. We will uncover the mystery and become worldwide famous."
Jeongguk smiled to himself, watching his friends through the viewfinder. His heart grew warm with every interaction. The seven of them had grown up together, following their dreams of becoming famous film producers.
"Marshmallows are ready." Yoongi chimed in, lifting a marshmallow and pressing it towards the camera, "Cheers."
-
The camera flicked on, revealing a dark tent filled with dimly lit faces.
"Shut up." Yoongi hissed, pressing his fingers to his lips.
The group sat in silence, tense as they awaited any form of noise or movement. Outside the tent remained silent, aside from the occasional owl hoot or bristle as the wind brushed through the trees.
"See? Nothing-" Namjoon fell silent as a branch snapped just feet away from the tent.
Hoseok clutched his arm, his body trembling in fear. "What do we do?" His hushed voice shook as he stared at the tent wall, silently wishing he could see through it.
Namjoon pressed his finger to his lips, leaning against the fabric wall.
Silence.
He sat listening for what felt like hours.
The rustling began again, closer this time. Quietly, Namjoon shuffled towards the exit, ignoring the hushed pleas for him to stay put. He unzipped the tent slowly, his breath caught in his chest as his heart began to pound against it violently. He could barely hear anything over the chaos within his body.
"Namjoon, please." Hoseok bit his lip, his teeth chattering slightly, whether from the cold or pure fear, he was unsure.
Namjoon gave him a reassuring smile before poking his head out of the tent.
The outside was pitch black; he could no longer see the burnt-out campfire that sat only inches away. He reached back, signalling for the camera. Jeongguk passed it over before squeezing his eyes shut, not wanting to watch.
Hesitant, Namjoon panned the camera across the trees.
"There's nothing." He sighed, "Just trees and more tree-" He froze, staring into the viewfinder.
"What? Namjoon? What is it?" Yoongi watched, his own hands trembling as he crept forward.
Namjoon dropped the camera, scurrying backwards until he hit the back of the tent. His breathing quickened as he shook his head, now shaking with every inch of his body.
Hoseok screeched, launching to close the tent. "What did you see?" The camera continued to pick up the muffled audio, the screen displaying only the forest floor.
Shuffling could be heard as Jimin rushed over, gripping the elder's face in his hands, "Namjoon? Namjoon, talk to me."
"I-It was a deer." He spoke quietly.
The group groaned, collectively frustrated.
"Seriously, Namjoon? A deer?" Seokjin huffed, agitated after being suddenly awoken amongst the chaos.
"What? It was scary!" Namjoon protested, "I wasn't expecting to see it."
A hand appeared in view, snatching the camera back into the tent. The dark swallowed the tent, and only the camera captured the figure looming just feet away.
"Argument 3." Jeongguk rolled his eyes, searching for the power button in the dark.
-
"Rise and shine." Taehyung's voice came out in a sing-song tone as he pointed the camera into Yoongi's face.
"Fuck off." Yoongi groaned, tossing himself over and dragging the sleeping bag up over his head.
Jeongguk stared into the camera, scrunching up his nose and sticking out his tongue.
"You don't know how to act when you're on the other side of that thing." Namjoon chuckled, pulling his shirt over his head.
"I do." Seokjin stepped into frame, running his hand through his hair. "Ladies and gentlemen," He began with a wink, "Why look for the Blair witch when you have all this right in front of your eyes." He gestured down, running his hands over his body.
Jimin shoved his hand over the lens, "Jin, seriously?"
"What, it's not like any of this is going in the final thing anyway?" The sass was heavy through the screen.
Taehyung pointed the camera towards himself as he stepped out of the tent, into the woods. "Today, we head to Coffin Rock. We are totally on schedule and not an hour late." He panned back into the tent, revealing the rest of the group hurrying to dress.
"Taehyung, cut it out and help us pack."
-
The camera flickered on to reveal the group trudging through the dense woods, Namjoon leading the way.
"According to the map, we should be almost there." His voice came out shaky, panting after hours of walking.
Taehyung flipped the camera, revealing his face covered in sweat, Jeongguk and Jimin a few feet behind. "Jimin has the worst ideas." He groaned, his own breathing strained.
"I heard that." Jimin flipped him off, covering his mouth once he saw the camera pointing in his direction. "Future Yoongi, cut that out." He giggled softly, pulling a face at the camera. While distracted, he didn't notice the branches sticking out beneath his feet. The wood caught his jean's clawing his skin as he toppled over, landing face-first onto the forest floor.
"Shit, Jimin, are you okay?" The camera lowered to film the ground as Taehyung rushed over, pulling him up.
Brushing himself off, Jimin nodded, slightly shaken. "I think I'm fine." He stepped forward, whimpering as his foot hit the ground. "I-I think I just twisted it, I'll manage."
The group stared at him, concern filling their faces. "Are you sure?" Namjoon checked him over, "You've grazed it pretty badly." He reached into his pack, pulling out the first aid kit. "Sit."
Jeongguk peered into the camera, "Injury 1."
Jimin chuckled softly as Namjoon wrapped a bandage around his leg. He sat, scanning the forest floor to see what had caused his fall. Reaching forward, he pulled a branch from the ground. "Guys.."
The group gathered, eyes widening as Jimin held the branch to the light. It wasn't any ordinary branch. Four branches had been intertwined using what appeared to be rope, or stems of grass? Jimin was unsure; he examined the object with his eyes, tracing the branches with his fingers.
"Is that... hair?" Hoseok stepped forward, taking the branch and flipping it over in his hands. "It's bound with hair."
"Isn't that some sort of ritual?" Namjoon nodded towards his notepad, "It was in my research on witchcraft."
Jimin's eyes lit up as he snatched it back. "Can we keep it?"
"Fuck, no!" The others responded together, Yoongi pulling the creation away and launching it off into the forest.
Namjoon pat Jimin's leg, "Can you walk?" The younger stood up slowly, flinching as he put weight on his injured foot. "Shit." He mumbled as he watched, "We should head back. It's a long hike, you won't make it."
"I'll be fine." Jimin bounced on his foot, forcing down the pained expression. "See?"
Taehyung panned the camera from Namjoon's face to Jimin's, "The witch makes her first strike."
"Cut that out!" Hoseok whined, reaching over to shut off the recording.
-
Starting up the recording, Jeongguk set the camera on his shoulder, pointing it out towards the stream where his friends gathered.
"Taehyung! Be careful." Namjoon warned as Taehyung hopped across the rocks, a bright grin plastered across his face. "Kids these days." He muttered into the microphone.
Seokjin followed, wobbling as he hopped from one rock to the next. Yoongi and Hoseok had their trousers rolled to their knees, splashing around at the edge of the water.
Jimin sat on the rocks beside Jeongguk, staring down at the bandage around his leg. The pain was growing with every step. He'd fought for months to get here; he wasn't about to toss the opportunity away over a sprained ankle.
Jeongguk panned the camera to his disappointed face, "Jimin is sad because he can't play with the others." He narrated as Jimin pulled a face at the camera. He zoomed in on the crimson-stained bandage, "Lesson one, don't fuck with witches."
Jimin giggled softly, shaking his head. "Let's go? Coffin Rock is just ahead."
-
The camera cut to Jimin standing on top of Coffin Rock, his arms spread. "Coffin Rock, in the flesh."
Taehyung circled him with the camera before settling directly in front of him.
"This is the site often referred to as Coffin Rock, where torture was inflicted upon five brave men." Jimin began narrating, reading from Namjoon's notes as Taehyung and Jeongguk captured the scenery. "Each man was bound to the other, their hands bound to the next man's foot, forming a solid structure. The blood found at the edge of the hedges revealed this act was performed while each man was alive and aware. Their intestines had been torn from their bodies, indecipherable scriptures carved into their sun-bleached skin. When the founder returned from reporting this horrific scene, nothing but vultures and the thick stench of death remained." He told the story in a dramatic manner, emphasising each word.
"Cut." Jeongguk smiled behind the camera, "Top grades for each of us." He stated proudly.
-
"What do you mean, you lost the fucking map?" Jeongguk snarled through bared teeth, "That was our last hope."
Namjoon continued scouring the contents of his bag, his hands trembling as the others watched on. "It's not.. It's not here." He sounded defeated, bringing his hands up to his face. It had been hours, everyone was growing exhausted as they walked in what felt like circles. "I must've dropped it when Jimin fell."
The group let out a collective groan. Jeongguk stepped toward Namjoon, hands balled into fists. Before he could strike, Jimin grabbed his arm, pulling him back.
"We will just go the way we came, Jeongguk, calm down." Jimin tried to ease the situation.
"Guys?" Hoseok spoke up, though nobody moved an inch.
"Are you fucking serious?" Jeongguk's voice reverberated through the dense woods around them.
"Guys.." Hoseok spoke again, his voice wavering.
"How did you manage to lose the one thing we asked you to watch?" Anger poured out of Jeongguk's mouth, his body trembling with rage. "You've had one job this entire time!"
Snap.
Hoseok let out a half-hearted scream as the group whipped their heads towards the sound.
The branches danced as the wind whistled through them; the sun had begun to set, the trees casting tormenting shadows across the forest floor. They stood in silence, staring out into the vast void ahead.
Taehyung pointed the camera into the woods, zooming in on the trees. "It's probably just a deer." He whispered, though the tremble in his voice said otherwise.
"We need to keep moving, we need to find somewhere to set up camp." Namjoon turned, continuing to walk.
"I don't want to spend another night here." Hoseok stayed rooted to the spot, his eyes darting around as he searched for the root of the noise.
"What other choice do we have? Since someone lost the map." Jeongguk spat, turning to follow Namjoon, his hands still balled into fists at his side.
Yoongi stepped forward, pulling Hoseok with him. "Drop it, Jeongguk."
"Argument 4." Taehyung whispered into the camera, pulling his face before following the group.
-
"Shut up and listen!" Jimin hissed.
Jeongguk's hands trembled as he held the camera in his lap. The wind soared against the tent, distorting the fabric that surrounded them. "Jimin, I'm telling you it's just the wind."
The pair sat in silence, staring at each other as they listened to the sounds coming from beyond the makeshift walls. Rain battered against the trees, while the howling of the wind persisted around them. Aside from the weather, the forest remained quiet, eerily so.
Jimin's face fell as a new sound joined the mix.
A sinister, screeching cackle filled the air.
The camera flickered for a moment, static filling the screen before shutting off completely.
-
"I'm telling you, there was someone out there!" Jimin pleaded as Namjoon shook his head.
"You guys are just anxious; it was just the wind." The older tried to reassure them, "The witch doesn't exist."
"Jeongguk, have you found the video yet?"
"I turned it on by accident." Jeongguk mumbled, his face flashing on screen.
-
Taehyung panned the camera across his friends' defeated faces, "Any words?"
"Turn it off." Seokjin glared at the camera.
"Yoongi?"
No response.
"Hoseok?"
"I want to go home."
"Jeongguk?"
"I'm hungry."
"Jimin?"
Jimin shook his head, staring down at his lap.
"Me?"
"Well, this trip started around a 7/10, great scenery. Then Jimin fell over, and it all went downhill. Honestly, we should've filmed a movie like the rest of our class." Taehyung chuckled, trying to keep his spirits high. "Lastly, Namjoon?"
"I'm sorry." Namjoon's face was drained of all positivity, "I'm sorry for losing the map, for getting us lost. I'm sorry to your parents, I'm sorry to mine."
"You're acting like we are dying." Taehyung chuckled half-heartedly. "We'll make it home."
Jimin leaned over, resting his head on Namjoon's shoulder. "He's right, we just need to go back the way we came."
"Trust me, the next time I turn the camera on, we will be back at the car!" Taehyung smiled down the lens.
-
"We are going in circles!" Jeongguk spat, his anger apparent across his face. "Taehyung, do you have to record everything?" He swatted the camera away, covering the lens.
"We need something to hand in." Taehyung argued back, still avoiding the severity of their situation.
Jimin stared up at the group, eyes filled with tears, "We've been walking for hours. This is starting to kill me." He glanced down at his leg, the white from the bandage no longer visible, replaced with the crimson of his blood. "Please, stop filming."
-
The camera flickered on, revealing Namjoon walking ahead, Jimin clinging to his back.
The seven walked in silence, exhaustion taking over.
"I see why you like the camera so much." Hoseok peered into the viewfinder, gently taking the camera from Taehyung's hand.
"And why is that?" Jeongguk sighed, too defeated to communicate.
Hoseok panned the camera around, "It looks different. It's almost like another world. You can pretend everything is fine through here."
"Come on, let's set up camp for the night," Seokjin called out, chucking his rucksack to the floor. "I can't walk any further."
-
The tent was shrouded in darkness, the owners of the voices no longer visible on screen.
"Get the light."
"I can't find it."
"Someone is out there."
Hushed voices filled the tent as they scrambled to find the light.
"We can ask for help, come on."
"Don't you dare open the zip."
Muffled sounds could be heard through the microphone as the camera was passed between them, cutting to Jimin's face as he switched on the flashlight. Outside, cracking sounds filled the air, seemingly coming from every direction as if several people were walking around the tent.
Namjoon sat at the exit, fiddling with his coat. "Well, do you have a better idea?" He hissed as he unzipped the tent, holding his hand out for the light.
Hoseok shook his head as Jimin passed the light, the screen falling into darkness as Namjoon stepped out.
The cracking sound halted as Namjoon's voice cut through the air, "Hello?"
The rest of the group huddled together, listening in anticipation.
The cracking continued.
"Fuck, it sounds like it's coming from everywhere." Namjoon groaned, his voice gradually growing distant.
"Namjoon, come back," Yoongi demanded, sticking his head out of the tent. "Namjoon?" He sank back into the tent slowly, face distraught.
"What? Where is he?" Seokjin spoke first, leaning to peer out himself. "Namjoon?" He called out into the dark.
"You've got to be kidding me.." Jeongguk watched in horror as his friends called out into the night, receiving no response.
"He's gone."
-
"Taehyung, Hoseok and Yoongi take the other flashlight, Jimin and I have the Night vision camera." Jeongguk's voice cut through the pitch black of the screen. "He can't have gone far."
Taehyung's hands trembled as he held the skimmed the flashlight across the trees.
"You guys go North, we'll go south." Jeongguk scanned the horizon with the camera, pointing as he spoke. "Do not stray from the path and come back if you hit the river, got it?"
Jimin clutched Jeongguk's hand, his entire body shaking with fear. "Jeongguk, maybe we should stay here."
"We waited half an hour, and we agreed we'd search now." His voice was stern. "Now, go."
Jimin followed Jeongguk into the woods, limping as pain sliced through his body with each step.
"Why would he just disappear like that?" His voice broke as he searched through the viewfinder.
Jeongguk's eyes stayed trained on the camera, not wanting to miss a thing. "He was probably frustrated. He's blaming himself for the whole situation."
"It wasn't his fault."
"I know."
"So, why did you give him such a hard time about it?" Jimin quipped.
Jeongguk shot him a glance before returning his focus, "I was pissed off."
"We all were." Jimin walked ahead. "Namjoon?" His voice echoed into the distance.
"I bet it was those locals fucking with us." Jeongguk groaned, "Namjoon!"
"Jeongguk, stop that." Jimin whined, swatting at his back.
"I'm not doing anything."
"Seriously, stop it!" Jimin spun on his feet, reaching out to grab him, only, Jeongguk was standing a foot away, camera pointed into the trees. "Jeongguk?" Jimin croaked out.
"What the fuck?" Jeongguk panned the camera across the trees where stick figures hung, the same figures they'd come across by the river.
A blood-curdling scream shot through the night as Jeongguk dropped the camera.
-
Taehyung sat shivering in the tent, the camera shaking between his hands. "I can't, I can't go back." He spoke into the screen, tears filling his bloodshot eyes.
-
"You fucking left them?" Jeongguk hissed, throwing the night vision camera to the side.
"I had no fucking choice!" Taehyung screamed back, "They swore Namjoon was there, we saw his light." His hands trembled as he held his knees to his chest, rocking back and forth to soothe himself.
The wind howled against the tent, muffling the conversation.
"I can't do this." Jimin buried his face in his hands, small sobs escaping his mouth.
The three sat, staring into nothing as they contemplated the situation.
-
The sound of a baby's cry filled the night, the high-pitched screeching grating against their ears.
"What do we do?" Jimin choked out between sobs, the camera barely picking up his voice as the group stirred in the tent.
A few moments of silence and the sound began again, closer this time.
Taehyung shook his head violently, "We have to be hallucinating. What the fuck is that?"
"I-I think there's a kid out there." Jeongguk picked up the camera, wiping his sleeve over the fogged-up lens.
"Don't tell me you're going out there?"
Jeongguk shook his head, unzipping the tent barely an inch, sticking the camera lens out. Frozen in fear, they watched as the night vision lit up their surroundings.
The crying grew closer, accompanied by the sound of something scurrying across the forest floor.
"What the fuck is that?" Jimin cried out, clamping his hand over his mouth, fear consuming every inch of his body.
The scurrying began to surround the tent, a piercing screech slicing through the air as the tent began to shake, rattling as though under attack.
Jeongguk ripped the tent open, "Go! Fucking go!" He called out as he dragged himself and Jimin, launching him onto his back and out of the tent. Taehyung grasped the flashlight, darting out of the tent behind them. They ran without a plan, dashing for the cover of the trees.
Jimin glanced back over his shoulder, "What the fuck is that? What the fuck is that? What the fuck is that?" He cried out, dropping from Jeongguk's back and breaking into a sprint, the pain becoming the least of his worries.
Once deep enough into the woods, they huddled together behind a thick hedge.
"Turn the lights out." Jeongguk hissed as Jimin stared in the direction of the tent, terror written across his face.
"What the fuck was it?" Taehyung turned the camera to Jimin, "What did you see?"
Jimin pressed his fingers to his lips, shaking his head.
"It's fucking freezing." Jeongguk shivered, wrapping his arms around himself.
"Shut up!" Jimin slapped his hand over Jeongguk's mouth, "Be quiet, and turn that off."
-
The camera panned around the campsite, their belongings scattered for yards.
"Something was here." Taehyung struggled to hold the camera still as his hands shook violently.
Jimin glanced into the lens, his face drained of all colour, and tear stains streaked down his cheeks.
-
"Namjoon, Hoseok, Yoongi, Seokjin!" The three yelled out, voices growing hoarse.
"It's fucking useless." Jeongguk slumped against a tree, launching a rock into the bushes. "They aren't coming back."
"We can't give up now." Jimin pushed on, practically dragging his leg behind him.
"Look at you, Jimin. You can barely fucking walk." Jeongguk was defeated, his voice wavering as reality hit.
Taehyung gave up on filming, allowing the camera to point at the floor as he stared out into nothing.
-
"Pretend. Pretend. Pretend." Taehyung's voice came from behind the screen, "Pretend. Pretend."
-
Jeongguk came to a halt; their tent sat in front of him, taunting.
"No.." Jimin's legs gave out as he collapsed to the floor, exasperated cries flooding his body.
"We walked for hours, this can't be possible." Jeongguk rubbed his eyes, yet the tent remained.
-
"Are you happy, Jimin?" Taehyung shoved the camera in his face.
Jimin scowled, shoving the camera away. "Why the fuck would I be happy?"
"You wanted to prove this shit was real? Here's your fucking proof!" Taehyung spat out, kicking at the tent.
Jeongguk stepped in, grabbing him by the shoulders, "Snap out of it, Taehyung. We all agreed to come here."
"Because of him!" Taehyung pointed, rage fuelling his speech, "Now look! We are dead, dead!"
Jimin stared at him, emotionless as tears began to fill his eyes. He shook his head, dragging himself away as he sat beside a tree, hiding his face behind his knees.
Jeongguk snatched the camera, "No more of this shit, Taehyung. Face the fucking reality and get a grip."
-
The camera switched on, revealing Jimin sitting alone, his face dishevelled. "They haven't come back." He whispered into the screen, eyes silently pleading. "They're fixing the tent." He pans the camera over to Taehyung and Jeongguk, patching the tent with a roll of duct tape. Sniffling as he wiped the tears from his eyes, he turned the camera back to himself, "Mom, Dad, I love you. I don't think I'll see you again. I'm sorry."
-
Jeongguk held the camera on his shoulder, the tent lit with only the flashlight.
Taehyung and Jimin sat opposite him, a distant look behind their eyes.
"What's the first thing you'll eat when we get home?" Jeongguk attempted to lighten the mood.
"Dumplings." Jimin's response had Taehyung chuckling.
"Promise we won't fight this time?"
"Promise." Jimin responded weakly, holding out his pinky for Taehyung to link his own with. "And you, Jeongguk?"
"Pasta, noodles, ice cream." He began to list everything that came to mind. "Then I'll finish it off with an ice-cold beer."
The three giggled among themselves, the nightmare fading away for a split second.
-
"Namjoon?"
"It's a fucking trap." Jeongguk shook his head, "Don't go out there."
"He needs us, Jeongguk." Jimin unzipped the tent, crawling into the dark.
"Jimin, are you fucking stupid?" Jeongguk reached to grab him, but froze once the voice called out again.
"Help! Please, someone, help me!" It was unmistakably Namjoon's voice, calling from beyond the trees.
Jimin darted out of the tent, searching the trees with his flashlight. "Namjoon! Over here!" A shadow passed in the corner of his eye. "Namjoon! Stay there!"
"Fuck this." Jeongguk hissed, searching the horizon using the night vision.
Jimin started in the direction of the shadow, "Namjoon!"
Jeongguk followed, zooming in on the trees with the camera.
A scream stopped them in their tracks, this time from the other direction. The pair spun around, lights darting across the scene. Jimin shot Jeongguk a glance, shaking his head, silently warning him not to move. They stood frozen, eyes glued to the trees.
Hushed whispers began to fill the air around them. Jimin spun around, becoming disoriented as he searched for the source.
"Get back to the tent!" Jeongguk snapped him out of it, darting towards the tent.
"Taehyung, Taehyung, wake up!" Jimin reached for the sleeping bag, drawing it back with a blood-curdling scream.
Where Taehyung once lay, an ensemble of sticks took his place. Jeongguk watched on with wide eyes, unable to move, unable to speak.
"T-That's..."
"His shirt." Jeongguk swallowed down a cry; the formation of sticks was bound together with scraps of Taehyung's shirt.
Jimin reached out, his hand shaking violently as he lifted the sticks, a warm liquid dispersing over his fingers. Pulling his hand back, he stared at the crimson that now coated his hands. "J-Jeongguk..." He choked out, beginning to hyperventilate as he flipped the object in his hands to reveal mattes of blood-stained hair, alongside an array of teeth. He dropped the sticks, darting out of the tent to vomit everything that was left in his system.
-
The camera continued recording as they trudged through the woods, not a word spoken between them.
-
"Mama, take this badge off of me." Jimin sang quietly, dragging his feet through the dirt. "I can't use it anymore. It's getting dark, too dark to see."
"I feel I'm knockin' on heaven's door." Jeongguk chimed in.
"Knock-knock-kockin' on heaven's door." They sang together.
-
"Is that a house?" Jimin croaked, barely able to speak after hours upon hours of dragging himself through the woods.
Jeongguk used the camera to zoom in on the house, scanning over it. "It looks abandoned."
"Better than sleeping out here."
Jeongguk nodded, following Jimin towards the house, too exhausted to argue against it.
Night had begun to fall, darkness coating the woods as they stepped into the house. The windows had been smashed, glass scattered across the floor, reflecting what little light was left.
Jeongguk shuffled across the floor, shards of glass crunching beneath his feet. He was too tired to talk, too tired to consider his actions.
-
"I can't see shit!" Jeongguk fumbled to switch the camera on, darting it around the room.
"Help me." A voice echoed from beneath them, long and drawn out, not in distress, just pleading.
Jimin felt around in the dark, hands skimming the walls as he searched for the door handle, "Hoseok? Hoseok, is that you?"
Jeongguk stared through the viewfinder as the walls appeared in front of his eyes, blood-stained hand prints they'd not previously noticed now becoming evident. "Jimin, we need to leave."
"Hoseok!" Jimin called out again, tugging the door open.
"Jimin.." The voice called out as Jimin darted down the stairs, feeling his way in the dark.
Jeongguk chased after him, using the slight glow from the camera to light his way, "Jimin, stop!"
"Hoseok, where are you?" Jimin yelled out, chasing the voice.
"Jimin, there is nobody there!" Jeongguk pleaded, struggling to keep up with him.
Determined, Jimin pushed on, throwing every door open as he searched, "Hoseok!"
"Help!" The voice came again, closer this time.
"Hyung? Is that you down there?!" Jimin descended into the basement, disappearing from Jeongguk's view. "Jeongguk, hurry, help us!" Jimin's voice faded as he grew farther away.
"Jimin! Seriously, there is nobody there!" Jeongguk screamed out, his eyes stinging with tears as he crept into the basement. "There's nobody there." He croaked out between sobs. Jeongguk didn't understand. He couldn't understand why Jimin was darting around with this crazed look behind his eyes; after all, there was no voice.
Reaching the basement, he panned the camera around, his legs buckling as he collapsed to the ground with a heavy sob, the camera scattering across the floor.
The camera stuttered for a moment before coming into focus, revealing Jeongguk curled up into a ball, alone.
Completely alone.
After all, there was no voice, no Jimin.
Was he ever really there at all?