Forester Discovers an Underground Pipe - Terrifying Encounter Unfolds
The Forester
In a rural village, surrounded by an ancient and dense forest, lived a forester named Harold. He had a calm nature and enjoyed his solitary life, spending most of his days in the woods.
His responsibility was to maintain the forest paths and ensure the well-being of the flora and fauna. The forest held a certain mystery, as it had been the subject of tales and legends for many generations.
A Discovery
While working in the forest, Harold had never come across anything strange or unexplained. To him, it was a sanctuary that provided solace from the chaos of the outside world, which he strived to avoid.
One day, while searching for signs of danger or damage, Harold noticed something he had never seen before. A metallic glimmer caught his eye. It seemed to emanate from the trunk of an oak tree.
The Mysterious Pipe
He approached closer, stepping on branches that crackled beneath his feet. As he got closer, he realized it was a pipe emerging from the ground. Having traversed the forest countless times, he had never encountered anything like this.
The pipe was large, about 30cm in diameter, and its surface was covered in moss and dirt, indicating its age. It must have been here for a while. The forester wondered what else he had overlooked in the forest.
A Sound
As he approached, he felt as if the pipe was sucking in air. It was a peculiar place for a ventilation pipe, Harold thought. He wanted to investigate further and pondered how to proceed.
To his astonishment, he heard an unexpected sound. A sharp noise suddenly came from the pipe. Harold moved closer, pressing his ear against it. His eyes widened in alarm. What kind of sound was that?
A Shudder
Suddenly, it dawned on him. He had heard a voice seeming to come from underground. It was incomprehensible and desperate. "Hello? Is anyone down there?" Harold asked. Then, it fell silent for a moment.
Maybe he had imagined the whole thing, and the sound had actually come from the wind. Just as he was about to turn around, a shiver ran down his spine. He had realized something.
A Second Pipe
"Hello?" he heard again. It seemed to be a desperate woman's voice. The sound echoed from underground. It appeared to come from two different directions, as he suddenly heard the noise from behind him as well.
He turned around and saw a second pipe, also emerging from the ground. The sound from the two pipes seemed connected. This could only mean one thing - it had to be a tunnel system.
Forest Veins
Now, Harold's curiosity was piqued, and he wanted to uncover the truth. He decided to follow the path of the pipe and began stomping through the undergrowth. The pipes disappeared into the depths and reappeared in other locations.
The bewildering search took Harold miles deep into the forest. Soon, he realized that it was an entire network, running through the forest like veins. How had he missed this all along?
Venturing Deeper
Hours later, after choosing a pipe to follow, Harold stumbled upon something even more bewildering: an entrance. It was a hidden door on the side of a hill, so obscured that it could easily be overlooked. The door was rusty but sturdy, indicating the significance of the discovery.
Excited and curious, Harold decided to explore the underground tunnel system within the forest. Having spent his entire life in a small village, he had never experienced anything quite as thrilling. He retrieved his flashlight and pushed open the imposing door.
The Voice Returns
Harold had almost forgotten about the voice he had heard earlier, but as he entered the door, it all came back to him. The sound was now louder, echoing through the damp tunnels.
The air was cool and humid, carrying the scent of wet earth. He cautiously trudged through the darkness, his flashlight casting eerie shadows on the tunnel walls as he ventured forth.
The Tunnel
The tunnel was surprisingly extensive, clearly serving a purpose. Harold couldn't help but wonder what secrets lay hidden within. As he delved deeper, the tunnel branched off in different directions.
It was a complex network of passages beneath the forest. Harold took a piece of chalk and marked the spot where he had entered, determined to find his way back. Would he regret his bravery?
Colder and Darker
Gradually, the air grew colder, and a sense of decay hung in the atmosphere. It was so dark now that he couldn't even see his hand in front of his face without the flashlight. It felt as if the soul of the forest resided here.
Harold briefly felt a pang of fear but decided to press on after a moment's hesitation. He looked around in all directions, hoping to memorize his surroundings, and continued his journey.
A Central Chamber
Suddenly, the tunnel took a sharp turn, leading Harold into a chamber. The walls were adorned with pipes and machinery of all sorts. It seemed to be the heart of the tunnel system.
The metal was already rusted, and the machines appeared to have been dormant for decades. Harold felt both fascinated and apprehensive. Just as he was about to reach out and touch the machinery, he heard the woman's voice echoing through the corridors. His heart skipped a beat.
Satellite Radio
Harold reached for his satellite radio, intending to call for assistance. However, there was no response. He then grabbed his cellphone and dialed an emergency number. Surprisingly, he had a weak signal.
The woman on the other end assured him that reinforcements would be sent immediately. However, it would take at least an hour for them to arrive. "Your location is difficult to reach, but we will do our best to get there as soon as possible," the dispatcher said.
Help Along the Way
Harold pondered, "I can't wait here indefinitely for help. I can't just leave that person behind. What if we're both in danger?" Shaking off the thought, he hung up the phone.
Help was on the way, and he began to survey the room. With his flashlight, he illuminated every corner, hoping to get closer to the woman's voice. The room reminded him of a horror movie, sending a shiver down his spine.
Hidden Room
At one end of the room, Harold spotted a door obscured by objects. He cleared the things aside and pushed open the door, finding himself in a room illuminated by a faint light.
The air down here was cold, and the stench of decay grew stronger. Harold was afraid but believed that continuing was the only option. The voice echoed once again, urging him to move faster. Suddenly, he noticed graffiti on the walls, plastic wrappers scattered on the floor, and a few dead rats — the source of the foul odor.
Signs of Life
Harold took a few more steps and strained his ears for more sounds. He suspected he wasn't the only person to have been here recently. Someone had brought food here, but Harold pressed on.
Now, he could hear the voice more clearly: "Help, please, help me." Accelerating his pace, he entered another room. Suddenly, a loud thud resonated through the distance as a metallic object fell to the ground.
Rising Water
Harold's feet were suddenly soaked as he stumbled upon a room flooded with water. The loud thud had come from the right side, but he couldn't spot anyone. Now, he could only hear the sound of rushing water, perhaps from a burst pipe, flooding the halls.
"Is someone here?" a voice called from close by. Harold waded through the water and opened the door at the other end.
Submarine Door
The door proved difficult to open, but with all his strength, Harold managed it. Behind the door was something he never expected to find. Another door? It resembled the entrance to a submarine. What could be the purpose behind all of this?
The voice called out loudly, "Hello, I'm here! Can you hear me?" Harold was close now and quickly located the person. His heart raced as he climbed over the final obstacles, completely drenched and dirty.
The Woman
Sitting in the corner of one of the dark rooms was an elderly woman, trembling from the cold with tears in her eyes. Harold approached to offer his assistance. He took off his jacket and dialed the emergency number once more.
The woman sighed and looked up at Harold. "Hello, my name is Jung Lee, and I live down here," she said. She explained that she and her husband had fled from China, seeking refuge in the United States. They lived here to avoid paying rent and stay hidden.
On the Run
Her husband had witnessed something he shouldn't have, and as a result, they had to flee. In the underground, they couldn't be tracked. "My husband Tao was the one who discovered these tunnels," she revealed.
"And where is your husband now?" Harold asked. "That's why I called for help. Normally, we don't want to be found, but I had no other choice," the woman said tearfully. A section of the tunnel had collapsed, separating Jung from her husband.
Trapped Husband
She had tried to remove some of the debris herself, but she simply wasn't strong enough. On the other side, she could hear her husband, injured and in need of medical assistance.
"Please, please, help us!" she pleaded desperately. Harold didn't hesitate for a second. "Of course, I will help you. We need to rescue your husband," he said firmly. He was determined to take matters into his own hands.
Showing the Way
Jung Lee nodded, and together, they navigated through the labyrinth of tunnels to find the spot where her husband was trapped. Harold heard cries for help seeping through the earth and rocks. "We're here to help you!" Harold shouted back.
They began to remove the rubble, piece by piece. They made quick progress, creating a small opening. Harold glanced through the small hole and saw a man clutching his leg. Despite the pain, he smiled.
Severe Injuries
"Tao!" Jung called out, tears welling up in her eyes at the sight of her husband. "We're getting you out of here!" she added. With united strength, they continued to clear away more debris until they had created a large hole.
Jung climbed through to be by her husband's side and assist him. Harold took a closer look at Tao's injuries. Tao's leg was severely injured, likely even broken. "I can't walk," Tao whispered.
Carrying Him
"Don't worry," Harold reassured him. "We will find a way to get you out of here." Harold began to construct a makeshift stretcher from nearby items. He found pipes and a tarp that he could connect together.
Slowly, they started moving towards the exit. It wasn't particularly comfortable for Tao, who moaned in pain. As they approached the entrance, Harold could already hear the wailing sirens in the distance. Tao desperately needed medical care, and Harold could barely carry him any longer.
Help Arrives
As they emerged on the surface, Harold blinked rapidly, adjusting to the sunlight. Then he noticed that an ambulance had already arrived. Police officers and rescue workers approached them.
Tao was now in good hands and was immediately transported to the hospital. This was the help they needed. Jung was questioned by the police about how everything had unfolded, and she told them the whole story.
Witness Protection Program
Surprisingly, the police understood and empathized with Jung and her husband. As refugees, they had the right to be in this country. Within a few months, they would be legal citizens.
The police even offered them the opportunity to enter a witness protection program. They could finally live a free life again and moved to the rural area near Baltimore. Harold resumed his normal work in the forest but remained friends with the older couple.