The sun dipped below the horizon, leaving Liam, Sophie, Jasper, and Ella in a dusky maze of trees that seemed to stretch endlessly in all directions. Their laughter from earlier in the day faded into anxious murmurs, swallowed by the encroaching darkness. "I swear we came from that direction," Sophie insisted, pointing to a path that looked identical to the others. "We've been going in circles," Ella sighed, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

As night wrapped the forest in its inky embrace, strange sounds echoed through the mist-shrouded woods. An owl hooted ominously, and somewhere in the distance, the snap of a twig set Jasper's nerves on edge. "Did you hear that?" Jasper whispered, clutching his flashlight tighter. "Probably just a deer," Liam suggested, trying to sound braver than he felt.

Stumbling upon a clearing, the friends found themselves standing before the remnants of ancient ruins. Vines clung to the weathered stones, and the air felt charged with history and mystery. "What do you think this place was?" Sophie asked, her voice filled with awe. "Maybe a forgotten village or a temple," Ella speculated, running her fingers over the cool stone.

As the temperature dropped, the group's initial excitement gave way to fear and uncertainty. They huddled together, sharing warmth and whispered reassurances. "We'll figure this out, together," Liam promised, his voice steady. "Yeah, we'll be home before we know it," Jasper added, though his voice wavered slightly.

Just as hope began to wane, a glimmer of moonlight revealed a narrow path behind the ruins. Overgrown and barely visible, it beckoned with the promise of safety and escape. "Look! A path," Ella exclaimed, excitement rekindling in her eyes. "Let's go, before we lose the light," Sophie urged, leading the way.

With the first rays of dawn breaking through the canopy, the friends emerged from the forest, greeted by the familiar sight of their campsite. Exhaustion mixed with relief as they realized they had made it out of Mistwood Forest. "We did it," Liam said, smiling at his friends. "And we'll never forget this adventure," Ella added, her words a testament to the bond that had grown stronger through their shared ordeal.