The wooden walkway creaked softly as the four of them walked back toward their treehouse. Night had already settled over the forest, and the lanterns hanging along the narrow bridges cast small golden circles of light on the wooden planks.
Beyond those circles, everything disappeared into darkness.
Riya hugged her arms slightly as a cold breeze passed through the tall pine trees.
"Okay... it's officially creepy now."
Kabir looked around casually, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "This is literally what forests look like at night. Congratulations, you've discovered nature."
"Yeah but normally I'm not sleeping inside the forest," Riya shot back.
They reached Treehouse Three and climbed up the small wooden ladder one by one.
Inside, the room felt warm and surprisingly cozy. The wooden walls trapped the heat, and the soft lantern light made the place feel almost comforting compared to the darkness outside.
Meera immediately dropped onto one of the beds again. "I cannot feel my legs."
Kabir dropped his backpack beside the other bed. "That's because you treated the trek like a marathon."
She glared at him. "You were the one rushing."
Aarav stretched his arms and rolled his shoulders. "Relax. We made good time."
Riya walked toward the small window and peeked outside. The forest had turned into a dark sea of shadows, the lantern lights from other treehouses floating faintly among the trees.
She slowly shut the window. "Nope."
Kabir raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"It's too dark outside," she said, shaking her head. "Like... horror movie dark."
Meera suddenly sat up. "Oh right. The Steam House."
Everyone went quiet for a second.
Kabir walked to the window and glanced outside again. The forest looked even darker now. The path leading down into the trees had completely disappeared into shadow.
He shrugged. "Yeah... not happening tonight."
Riya immediately agreed. "Absolutely not."
Meera sighed with relief. "Good. I don't think I have the energy to walk again anyway."
Aarav leaned against the wall, thinking for a moment. "We can go in the morning. It'll be daylight."
"Morning sounds civilized," Kabir said.
Riya tossed her hair back dramatically. "Exactly. Steam House spa day."
Meera laughed. "You just want aesthetic steam photos."
"Obviously."
For a few minutes they unpacked small things from their bags. Riya tied her hair into a loose bun and wiped her face with a wet wipe. Kabir splashed some water from his bottle on his face and sighed. "That feels illegal after that trek."
Meera stretched out on the bed again. "I'm not moving."
Aarav picked up the small room phone sitting near the table. "Let's order food before you enter hibernation."
Meera immediately sat up again. "Yes."
Kabir leaned forward. "If they have Maggi, I'm ordering two."
Riya pointed at him. "Same."
Aarav dialed the reception number. After a short conversation, he hung up. "Dinner in twenty minutes."
"What did you order?" Meera asked.
"Maggi. Omelette. Parathas. Tea."
Kabir nodded approvingly. "Acceptable."
Riya sat cross-legged on the bed. "You know what's crazy? This morning we were in Gurgaon."
Meera laughed softly. "And now we're sleeping in a tree."
Kabir looked around the wooden room. "Honestly, not the worst decision we've made."
Riya smirked. "That list is long."
A gentle knock came on the door about twenty minutes later. Aarav opened it. A young worker stood outside holding a tray filled with steaming bowls and plates. The smell of hot Maggi instantly filled the room.
"Food has arrived," Aarav announced.
They gathered around the small table like starving animals. For the next fifteen minutes, the room was filled with nothing but the sound of forks, laughter, and exaggerated complaints about sore muscles.
Meera leaned back after finishing her plate. "That might be the best Maggi I've ever had."
Kabir nodded. "Starvation helps."
Riya stretched her arms and yawned loudly. "I'm officially done for the day."
Aarav switched off the lantern near the table, leaving only the dim ceiling light glowing. One by one they settled into their beds under thick blankets.
The forest outside had gone completely silent. Only the occasional sound of wind moving through the tall pine trees reached them.
Within minutes, Meera was already asleep. Kabir scrolled on his phone for a few more minutes before finally giving up on the nonexistent network.
Riya turned to face the window.
Beyond the glass, the forest looked endless and dark.
Somewhere far away, she thought she saw a faint cloud of steam rising between the trees.
She blinked.
But the darkness swallowed everything again.
She lay back down, pulling the blanket tighter around herself.
Kabir muttered from his bed, half-asleep. "If ghosts show up, tell them to wait till morning."
Riya rolled her eyes but smiled faintly. "You'd probably charge them rent."
Silence returned.
Aarav stirred slightly, opening his eyes just enough to glance across the room. Meera was curled under her blanket, her face turned toward the wall. Even in sleep, she looked uneasy, her brow furrowed.
Aarav's chest tightened. He wanted to ease whatever shadows haunted her dreams.
"You're fine," he whispered softly, his voice steady. "I'm here."
Meera didn't stir, but her breathing eased, her shoulders relaxing just a little.
Aarav lay back, staring at the ceiling, his own thoughts restless. He wasn't sure what tomorrow would bring, but he knew he had to keep them all steady.
The treehouse fell quiet as all four of them drifted into sleep.
The lantern outside flickered once, then steadied.
The forest remained still, its silence heavy but unbroken.
Deep in the forest, hidden beyond the lantern-lit walkways...
the Steam House continued to breathe slowly into the cold night air.
Its faint mist curled upward, twisting between the trees like fingers reaching for something.
Waiting.