Chapter 1: "Surviving the Wilderness"

The dense woods of the New Hampshire wilderness loomed before Misty Quigley, casting long, ominous shadows that seemed to move with every step. It had been 25 years since the ill-fated flight 828 had crashed, leaving her and three other survivors, including Natalie "Shauna" Sibley, to fend for themselves and confront the darkest corners of human nature. As she breathed in the crisp air, the familiar yet foreboding landscape stirred something deep within her. The memories, though painful and etched in her mind like scars, had become an integral part of her. Misty had grown up to be a peculiar woman, often finding solace in her job as a nurse and maintaining a somewhat fragile connection to reality. The lines between her past and present life were blurry, but one thing remained constant: her obsession with uncovering the truth about that fateful night. She trudged on, her boots stomping against the underbrush as she worked her way deeper into the forest. Her intentions weren't to reenact the past but to participate in a group hike with some friends. It was to be a much-needed escape from her chaotic life. The plan was to meet up with Shauna and a few others at an old hunting cabin on the outskirts of the woods. The familiar sight of Shauna's car was a relief when it finally came into view. As Misty approached the cabin, the screen door creaked open and Shauna stood there, a wide smile on her face. Their complicated history made it difficult for them to maintain a typical friendship. Shauna had spent years trying to escape her past, even going so far as to assume a new identity. Their reencounters often left them both wondering if they were stronger or weaker because of their shared experiences. The cabin interior was alive with laughter and familiar chatter. Other hikers milled about, discussing plans for the trip. Shauna beckoned Misty over with a tilt of her head, her eyes tossing a brief message – meet me outside. They stepped away from the lively group and walked deeper into the forest. The crunch of leaves under their feet served as a gentle reminder of their decision to reunite. "What made you decide to come?" Shauna asked, glancing at Misty sideways. The tall trees towered above them, allowing shafts of sunlight to catch their faces. There was an openness in Shauna's expression that Misty hadn't seen in years. "I needed to get out," Misty replied, avoiding Shauna's gaze. Their eyes met for a brief moment before Shauna looked away, her expression unreadable. As the air thickened with the scent of damp earth and leaves, Misty sensed that Shauna had something on her mind. The trees swayed in the wind, creating an unnerving dance of shadows around them. And then, without warning, Shauna let her bag slide to the ground and turned to face Misty, her eyes locked with a sense of familiarity and nostalgia. A flutter in Misty's chest betrayed her calm exterior as Shauna took a step closer. The urge to bridge the gap between them was palpable, like an itch she couldn't scratch. The dry underbrush snapped under Shauna's boots as she moved closer, her eyes holding a glint of a challenge and desire. "You know, for old times' sake," she said, "we should get to know each other again." Her words carried a weight that hung in the air like a physical presence, waking up something Misty had tried to bury. With Shauna standing inches from her, the connection between them became more than just remnants of a shared past. For an instant, it seemed like everything and nothing had changed. The darkness of the forest waited patiently, an unforgiving yet silent witness to their encounter, which could breathe new life into the long-forgotten embers of their complicated past.