(WEBSERIE) The Wrong Turn: Chapter One

The road wasn’t supposed to exist. “I’m telling you, this is wrong,” Gabs said, her voice edged with frustration as she tapped her phone again and again. “We should’ve hit the interstate already.” “Girl, relax,” BRAT replied, leaning back in the passenger seat, sunglasses still on despite the dimming sky. “It’s probably just a shortcut.” “There is no shortcut,” Gabs snapped. From the backseat, Bubba leaned forward. “Okay but like… if we’re lost, just say we’re lost.” “I am NOT lost,” Gabs shot back. “You’re lost,” Fran whispered. A nervous laugh flickered through the car, but it died quickly. Outside, the forest had grown thicker. The trees leaned inward, their branches clawing toward the road like they were closing in. The light felt wrong—too gray, too still. “I don’t like this,” Kimmie said softly, hugging her arms. “Can we turn around?” “We can’t,” Ribs said, gripping the wheel tighter. “There’s no space to—” “There!” StayC suddenly pointed ahead. A sign appeared out of nowhere, crooked and half-broken. **WELCOME TO DRY CREEK** The letters were faded, barely readable. “That’s not on the map…” Gabs murmured. “Good,” BRAT said. “That means people won’t be annoying. Let’s just find a gas station.” --- Dry Creek didn’t feel like a real town. It felt like a set. Old buildings. Empty sidewalks. A diner with flickering lights. A gas station straight out of another decade. And people. Standing still. Watching. “Why are they looking at us like that?” Fran whispered. “No idea,” Bubba said, though her voice had tightened. “They’re not even pretending not to stare,” StayC added. Ribs pulled into the gas station. The engine died with a low groan. Silence swallowed everything. “Okay,” Ribs said, forcing confidence. “I’ll ask for directions.” “I’m coming,” Kimmie said quickly. “No, stay—” Too late. Kimmie had already stepped out. The air outside felt heavier. Thicker. The moment her foot touched the ground, someone moved. A man approached slowly from the side of the building. Then another. And another. From the diner, from the shadows, from behind the pumps—they emerged like they had been waiting. “Uh…” Kimmie stepped back. “Hi… we’re just looking for—” “Well now,” a voice interrupted. A woman stepped forward, smiling wide. “Y’all ain’t from around here.” Behind her stood others—silent, watchful. Poof tilted his head slightly, eyes fixed on Kimmie. Jaded crossed her arms, expression unreadable. Torimarie stood just behind them, whispering something under her breath. Glitter smiled faintly, almost amused. Melanie and Cristi flanked the group, blocking the open space. Inside the car, panic exploded. “Kimmie GET BACK IN!” Gabs screamed. Kimmie turned—but froze. They were too close now. “I—I’m sorry, we just need directions—” she stammered. Poof stepped forward. “You shouldn’t be here.” Something in his tone snapped the last thread of calm. Kimmie bolted. She ran toward the car—but Cristi lunged, grabbing her arm. She screamed. “LET ME GO—!” Melanie caught her other side. The group moved as one. “NO!” Bubba slammed against the door, fumbling with the lock. CLICK. Too late. Hands dragged Kimmie backward. She kicked, twisted, screamed louder than any of them had ever heard. “PLEASE—PLEASE—!” Ribs tried to open the door, but BRAT grabbed her. “They’ll take you too!” Kimmie’s nails scraped against the pavement as they pulled her toward the side of the building, toward the dark gap between structures. “GABS—BUBBA—HELP ME—!” Her voice broke into pure terror. Then— A sharp, sickening sound. Wet. Final. Silence. Everything stopped. The wind. The movement. Even the trees seemed to hold their breath. The group stepped back slowly. Glitter wiped something from her hand. Jaded exhaled calmly. Poof looked toward the car. Smiling. One by one, they all turned. Watching. Inside, no one spoke. Fran was crying. StayC stared in shock. Gabs trembled, her phone slipping from her hands. Ribs gripped the wheel so hard her knuckles turned white. BRAT’s jaw tightened, fury mixing with fear. Bubba whispered, barely audible— “…we need to get out of here.” But no one moved. Outside, the people of Dry Creek didn’t rush. They didn’t need to. They knew something the girls didn’t. Six had entered the town. Now only five remained. And Dry Creek wasn’t done with them yet.