A building lies in the distance. You can barely make out the structure through the forest. With renewed vigor, you continue trudging through the woods, sandals crunching leaves and twigs underfoot.
It takes you some time, but you're getting closer. The forest thins out, allowing you to notice the features of the building. It's clearly Japanese in design. It has the traditional sloped, shingled roof. It looks very old, but well kept.
You enter an elegant courtyard with neatly trimmed hedges, curving stone paths and tiny ponds. Birds chirp pleasantly. The air feels cool and fresh.
As you walk up the steps, you wonder what kind of place this is. You can only assume it's a themed resort. But what's it doing in the middle of nowhere, with no signs, no paths, and no apparent way to get here by car?
You reach large, sliding doors, and hesitate for just a moment before knocking gently. No response comes from inside. You knock louder, and continue to wait.
"Hello?" you call in the female voice that still sounds strange to your ears. It sounds quite gentle, not as forceful and desperate as you think it should. "Is there anyone here? I need help!"
You listen intently for someone approaching the door. All you can hear is the wind on the bushes and the birds chirping in the distance.