Listen to Kwan and take the shortcut

From Create Your Own Story

"Kwan's right. We could save ten minutes," you say. "Otherwise we have to go all the way back through the car park."

"But it looks scary!" Charmaine looks so frightened that you put your arm around her shoulder.

"Why are girls always like that?" Kwan chides.

"Come on..." You start to ride along the rocky track away from the mall. You glance out to sea. The cloud is much closer and the ships have disappeared behind a curtain of rain.

As you draw nearer the trees, they seem a lot bigger. You have never been along this path before. Come to think of it, you have never seen anyone else going this way either.

You have just cycled into the shadowy trees when the first drops of rain fell. Big, cold splashes that stung your hot skin.

"We're going to get wet," Kwan grumbles.

"You were complaining how hot you were on the beach," you remind him.

"Leng, let's go back and wait at the mall," Charmaine pleads. "It's creepy in here!"

"There's nothing to worry about," you call back.

After all, it is broad daylight.

The mall is only a few yards behind us.

And the main road is just up ahead through the trees.

What could possibly go wrong, you ask yourself. Hah, stupid question!

The path becomes narrower. And darker. And the trees are even taller, with branches that droop down like big hands. Tangled vines and bushes block out the view on all sides.

And there are no sounds. No birds, no insects. Just the scrape and swish of your wheels on the sandy ground.

The little forest seems to be swallowing you up. But that is ridiculous, isn't it?

Suddenly, the path takes a sharp bend. Your way is barred by a big metal pole. It had been painted red and white, but now it is chipped and rusty. It rests across the track on two blocks of concrete. Someone has chained a sign to it.

"DANGER. CONSTRUCTION SITE. KEEP OUT."

Kwan's bicycle wobbles to a stop. Charmaine cycles up beside you two. All of you look at the words.

Danger?

Well, you have been warned!

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