The Ritual

Four friends, Hutch, Phil, Dom, and Luke, are hiking in ancient Scandinavian forests. The second day of their vacation, after taking a shortcut, they see a dead creature mutilated and suspended high up in a tree. Phil and Dom wonder what it is and why it is in the tree.

On the first day of their hike, Dom twists his knee and Phil’s feet become covered in blisters. They are too uncomfortable to enjoy the scenery far from cities and people.

Halfway through the second day, Hutch tells everyone to take a break and internally becomes angry at his two injured friends for setting an uncomfortably slow pace. Luke and Hutch step aside, look at the map, and discuss how their friends aren’t physically fit enough to continue along the planned route. Hutch convinces Luke to not voice his anger at their friends and vaguely hints that Dom and Phil are having problems at home.

Hutch points out an alternate route heading through virgin forest toward a river and tourist huts in Skaite.