A weeks worth of food and resources, a team of seven, and a journey through the dangerous fantastical forest that ranged from a dark corner of North America all the way to the bay of South America. The forest was known for holding experimental species of animals and alien like beings, hence why it was called the ‘Scarlet Forest’ for its tendency to hold on to hints of red blood in the paths of its unwelcomed guests.

For this team the mission was a search and save rescue mission. A young girl named Cindie Francisco had gone missing but recently a radio signal had picked up on her voice into what she most likely presumed as a broken camera in a broken down laboratory. The team was immediately dispatched to find the girl, who was only nine and had been out here for nearly two weeks somehow still put together enough to speak the words “help me” into the rusty camera.

Marcus Viaz. A young man with shiny opertunties ahead of him as he would make this his first and most honorable mission. He trekked with the other six, helping and aiding where necessary with his medical knowledge that the team endlessly thanked him for. And after nearly a week of search, they found the girl.

Little Cindie curled up on the forest floor, barely breathing and bleeding from a few different spots. Marcus took pride in aiding her to health and before everyone could blink she was back to the adorable little nine-year old they had set to find. They dragged her back to shore but Marcus found himself confused by the setup.

Marcus adjusted his rectangular glasses, the innocent and blissful smile from the successful rescue still prominent on his face. The other six, including the little girl in one of the men’s arms, stood facing him with mixed emotions.

“So Marcus, im sure you already expected this but.. we have come to a problem.” The leader of the mission, Glinda Macintosh, spoke slyly as she walked at a heavy pace forward. The rest of the squad began piling into the boat, which was small but worked for them originally.

“What do you mean? Is there a room issue on the boat? I think we can make it work.. if we-“

“No Marcus, I don’t think we can make it work.” Glindas tone darkened as she slowly moved her eyes up and down over his form.

Marcus bared a frown, eyes drooping and flocking to the the crew who were climbing up into the ship out of sight. Cindie in the arms of one of his partners squinted and turned her head confused at him. Marcus then switched attention to Glinda, realization hitting him like a ton of bricks.

It was Glindas first mission as a captain, obviously she’d want to take responsibility for the savor of a otherwise flawed mission. But.. why wouldn’t she have simply killed him off in the forest? Unless in this mission .. he hadn’t been meant to survive at all?

Marcus panted, backing away and stumbling as he fell into his tailbone. Glinda grinned. “So you do understand. No hard feelings, just hope you remembered the island pretty well.” She turned and began walking back to the ship. Marcus leapt up, racing after her and then… there was nothing.

Nothing but white. Nothing but gravity. And nothing but a sharp boom, the squealing of crows, and the scarlet red that followed.