The temple didn’t rise from the jungle.

  The jungle grew around it.

  Stone walls curved inward like folded claws, etched with faded symbols of a tiger mid-pounce. The entrance yawned open, dark and breathless, as though the structure itself were inhaling.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Rocky whistled softly. “Yeah… that’s definitely it.”

  Billy’s voice crackled through their communicators. “Careful. The architecture predates recorded civilization. Any defensive mechanisms could still be active.”

  “Copy that,” Trini said, stepping inside.

  The air changed instantly.

  Cooler. Drier. Heavy with something unseen.

  Behind them, the Putties slipped into the shadows and followed.