In a nutshell ౨ৎ alysa liu x fem reader - As if your parent’s divorce wasn’t already hard enough, they decided to send you to a summer camp. You already dreaded having to go there but little did you know the horror lying beneath it and the beautiful people you’d meet just for it all to fall apart in the end. (FEAR STREET 1978 INSPIRED)
5k words; small smut scene, brief mention of “y/n” heavy swearing + blood and mention of suicide!
Author’s note 𓏲ꪆ hi! I just wanted to let you guys know that I had so much fun writing it but prepare to maybe hate me by the end… Anyways this is heavily fear street inspired and with that being said I highly recommend listening to an 80s playlist or some songs from that era just to really feel the vibes of this fic. With all that being said don’t be afraid to interact or reach out because I’m always open to moots! (also please take the smut lightly. it’s my first time actually writing this genre!) Thank you and enjoy!!
The bus rattled along the gravel road as the sunlight beamed through the windows. Outside, towering pines blurred into shadows, their branches weaving in the wind. You pressed your forehead against the cold glass, clutching your worn duffel bag like a lifeline as you thought over and over again.
The sign loomed ahead. “CAMP NIGHTWING”— faded letters on weathered wood, swinging in the wind. You didn't want to be here. No one did. Your parents divorce is what sent you here and no matter how much pleading and crying, you were officially here and nothing could change that.
Your thoughts were interrupted when the bus jerked to a stop. You gathered all your things which was the duffel bag and a mini backpack essentially. Your converse hit the ground as you stepped off the bus. A tall man with a clipboard approached you as his eyes sharpened beneath a worn cap.
”New girl?” His voice was rough, like gravel. “Name’s Rick. Don’t cause any trouble, and you’ll survive.”
You didn’t answer. You just stared out, taking in the forest campus. Your heart was pounding as your gaze went to the weathered wooden cabins, leading to a murky lake on the edge of the forest.
“Look, no one likes being sent here”, he said, leaning closer. “But just like all the other teens around here, you’ll get used to it. Or you won’t. Up to you”
And before you could ask any further questions, all you saw was him walking away and on the back of his shirt, it read “camp counselor” hm.
The first few hours were hell. You had to follow another camp counselor around just to find out what cabin to put your shit in. Eventually, you were in your cabin and finished taking some of your things out. You had a few pairs of shirts and denim jean shorts as well as your other pair of converse. Other than your clothes and your Walkman, you honestly didn’t pack much because you weren’t sure on what you should pack at all. It was just you in the cabin. You didn’t even try to socialize with anyone because you knew you would find a way to not spend your entire summer here.
You were laying down, staring up at the ceiling for the next two hours until you heard the door open. Your heart dropped as there were voices already entering the cabin. You sat up to make eye contact with a group of three people walking in. Their conversation stopped as they saw you.
You noticed that there was a guy in the middle. He was tall and pretty skinny with baggy jeans and a layered shirt. To his left was an angelic girl with long curls that went past her shoulders and big brown eyes that sparkled in the sunlight that reached inside the cabin. And that’s when your gaze finally fell to the right. Holy shit. Your gaze locked with the other girl who looked just about your height or a little taller. She had pretty brunette hair with sick blonde rings that faded all throughout. Your heart also completely stopped as she tilted her head in the slightest, her gaze flickering down your face. No. You weren’t doing this. You won’t even be here for long anyway.
The little moment was soon interrupted as the guy in the middle closed the door behind him and awkwardly leaned against it. “You must be the new girl. y/n, right?”, “I’m miles.”
You studied him for a brief question before the words escaped your mouth. “Are you gay?” You internally cringed when you heard how blunt the question sounded but it faded just as quickly when you heard a small scoff and a laugh coming from both of the girls beside him. He didn’t look pissed, far from it actually. If anything, he looked amused as he shook his head. ”Wow, already asking questions before we got a name” A beat. “But yeah. Good gaydar”
You laughed slightly at that which you didn’t think you’d come close to doing here. The girl who was now sitting on the nearby dresser spoke up with a gentle look on her face. “Malia Cedar. We’re all your…cabin mates, I guess?” The other girl stifled a laugh as Miles just shook his head before speaking. “Yeah we’re basically all sleeping together. Okay…well not like that but you get the point.”
Your gaze falls back to the girl who was leaning against the bunk bed. Her gaze intently watched you as you slowly raised a brow. The two others gazed over at the two of you, already sensing the subtle tension before the girl spoke up. “Hey, I’m Alysa”
Something about her gaze wasn’t casual. It was like she was daring you to react a certain way.
Miles cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “So how are you liking the place newbie?”
”I want to kill myself” Your voice came out flat and your expression unimpressed.
Malia started laughing uncontrollably as her brows raised and dimples deepened. “Holy shit, we’re going to get along so well.”
You were surprised to say the least. Your joke didn’t scare them off. It didn't change the fact that you still were planning to escape somehow but you knew it would make your time here a little more bearable.
After a brief moment of silence Miles clapped his hands together before speaking with a dramatic expression. “Alright, team, campfire at twelve. Just us. Let’s see who’s the bravest.” He walked out without another word as Malia shot you a gentle smile before following after him, leaving you and Alysa alone.
Her gaze never leaves your face as she pushes herself off the wall. “You’re pretty blunt for someone fresh off the bus”
That’s when you see it. The metal piercing against her teeth as her lips slowly curve into something like a smile. She slowly nods before responding in a mock serious voice. “Well your timing’s perfect. I'm in the mood to mess with a new girl tonight.”
”Ah so you’re not as nonchalant as you seem” You say. Your lips curving upwards despite the way you feigned annoyance.
The air between you two thickened, charged with something unspoken as she stepped closer.
Her gaze was full of curiosity as she leaned in just enough to lower her voice. “You’re cocky... I like that.”
You meet her gaze, heart beating a bit faster than it should.”Better to be cocky than scared, right?”
Alysa’s smile deepens as she takes a small step back, her eyes flickering with something unreadable. “We‘ll see how long that lasts”
The tension deepens before she starts walking towards the door before turning towards you slightly. “Don’t forget campfire’s at twelve. Don’t keep me waiting”
Before you could get another word out she was gone. What was that supposed to mean? What did this whole interaction even mean? You slumped back against the bed, tracing small circles on your arm the same way mom did to comfort you. Maybe camp wouldn’t be that bad.
The campfire crackled, sending flickering shadows dancing across the faces gathered around it. The night air was crisp, carrying the scent of pine and smoke, and the sky above was a canvas of stars just starting to peak through the darkness.
You had kept on your denim shorts but thrown a hoodie over yourself before leaving the cabin. You settled onto a rough log beside the others, the warmth from a fire was a small comfort against the chill creeping in from the woods. It was surprising they had managed to set this up without any counselors noticing.
Miles was already animated, telling stories that were supposed to be creepy but were actually just questionable. His voice was loud and full of laughter that felt almost too bright for the tense atmosphere.
Malia leaned in beside you as she nudged your shoulder gently. “See? Not so bad, right?”
You shrugged, eyes scanning the group. Alysa sat a little apart, her posture relaxed but gaze sharp as her eyes flickered between Miles and you. Everytime your eyes met, the same spark of challenges and something deeper flickered between you.
About twenty minutes later, Miles actually starts to tell a story but this time no one cracked a smile.
The fire’s glow flickered wildly as he leaned forward, his grin stretching wide in the darkness. “Alright listen up”, he said, voice dropping to a mock serious whisper that barely hid the grin tugging at his lips. “You guys ever heard about the old legend about this camp?”
The three of you looked at each other and shook your heads.
“Legend says that every summer, one unlucky camper vanishes without a trace…no screams, no signs, just gone.”
He pauses, eyes gleaming in the firelight, then laughs casually. “But here’s the kicker, turns out, the “ghost” is just some asshole in a mask. Creepy, right? Nah, it’s just some counselors maybe trying to scare people for kicks. So don’t worry, no actual shit like that, just bad costumes and horrible acting.”
However, you were quiet and shoulders tense as Malia just laughed nervously but everyone could see right through it.
But you noticed Alysa’s smile was tighter, her gaze sharper. While Miles started to suddenly comfort Malia, you caught Alysa’s eyes. Something unspoken passes between you.
You found yourself wandering back inside the cabin, excusing yourself from the others. The cabin felt colder and emptier without the fire’s warmth. You heard the door close softly behind you, the creak echoing in the quiet, making you flinch.
“It’s just me” You turned around to see Alysa holding her hands up in surrender as you took a breath.
You stood by the hard cabin wall as you heard her speak. Her voice almost gentle. “You scared?”
You scoff despite that lingering feeling in your stomach. “no”
You just stare at her as she says that before you shrug. “I don’t know. I know it was all bullshit but something about that story…just doesn't sit right with me.”
She nodded slowly, leaning against the door as she spoke quietly. “Yeah, I get it…but Miles is known to say anything that comes out of his mouth so don’t take it to heart”
Your gaze flickered back to hers, noticing the subtle change in her demeanor. It was like all her nonchalance from earlier had faded in a second.
“what?” her voice came low when she said that as you just shook your head.
The silence stretched between the two of you, thick and electric. Alysa’s gaze held yours, steady and unblinking, as if trying to read the parts you didn’t say aloud.
“You really want out of this place?” she asked, voice low, almost a whisper.
You blinked, caught off guard. You had forgotten all about that in just the span of two hours. “What do you mean?”
She shifted, pushing off the doorframe and stepping closer. “I mean this camp isn’t just some summer getaway. I heard why you got sent here, you know.”
You instantly tensed and she noticed it. “You know nothing about me.”
Alysa’s gaze softened just a fraction, but the intensity didn’t fade. “Look I know we’ve known each other for like eight hours but you don’t have to pretend with me. I get it. Family shit and trouble back home”
You bit the inside of your cheek, suddenly aware of how close she was, how her presence filled the small space. “It’s complicated,” you admitted, voice barely a whisper.
For a long moment, you just stared at each other. The air thickened, your breaths syncing almost involuntarily. The tension wasn’t just about the campfire stories or the shadows outside, it was something raw and unspoken. A fragile connection sparking between two girls who barely knew each other but already felt each other deeply.
Alysa’s voice dropped lower, softer. “You don’t have to be scared here”
You met her gaze, something flickering as you did. “Maybe I’m not.”
“Yeah?” She tilted her head as she spoke.
That one simple word touched your soul.
“Yeah.” Your voice was quiet but firm like it was confirmation for something else entirely.
Her breath hitched just slightly as she took a step closer, the space between you shrinking until it felt like the whole world had narrowed down just to this.
Without another word, she reached out, fingers brushing your jaw and ith a featherlight touch that sent a jolt straight through you. Your heart hammered, breath catching in your throat.
Then, suddenly, she closed the distance. No hesitation or build up. Her lips crashed against yours in an instant. Your jaw tilted up more to get the perfect angle between you.
Your hands shot up, tangling in her hair, pulling her even closer until your back hit the wall, her body fully up against yours. The kiss was raw and desperate, a collision of need and something deeper that neither of you fully understood yet.
When you finally broke apart, both of your breathing were labored. Her hands didn’t once leave your face, instead they slowly slid down your throat tracing the curve of your collarbone, fingers light but deliberate.
Your gaze followed her hands as you looked back at her, seeing the subtle dilation in her eyes. One of your hands slowly came over hers as she caught your gaze.
“are we about to fuck? because I’m kind of new to this and I can’t tell what this really is but I don’t want to dance around it so”
your voice came out rushed but somehow firm and confused.
She just blinked. Her eyebrows raised before a small laugh of disbelief escaped her lips. “look we don’t have to rush anything" she said gently before speaking again. “but yeah, I was kind of getting to that before you said that.”
You scoffed but couldn’t help the smile that started to form on your face as you nudged her.
And with that, her lips found yours again but softer this time as you reciprocated it.
When she broke away, her kisses slowly trailed from the corner of your cheek to down your jawline as your head tilted back, giving her more access. But the kisses started to trail from down your jaw to the curve of your neck.
As her lips lingered longer, your head tilted back fully against the wall, breaths mingling—heavy and uneven. Slowly, you pulled away, catching the flicker of confusion and concern in her eyes. But that look vanished the moment your hands reached up to the edge of your hoodie, peeling it off deliberately to reveal the bra underneath all while holding her gaze without breaking eye contact.
Alysa’s gaze flickered down to the exposed skin, then back to your eyes, a slow appreciative smile curling at the corner of her lips.
Her fingers twitched, hesitant for just a moment, then slid up to your side, tracing the curve of your ribs beneath the soft fabric of your bra. The warmth of her touch was electric, sending shivers that made your breath hitch and a small involuntary sound leave your lips.
“Your turn,” you said, trying to stifle your small laugh from both nerves and adrenaline. It’s as if you could feel the rush and warmth going through your body at this exact moment.
She nodded without hesitation as she complied instantly, gently pulling off her shirt as your gaze trailed down, letting out a breath.
She leaned in, lips brushing against your cheek as her voice lowered to a gentle whisper. “You know, you’re a lot less innocent than I made you out to be.”
Your pulse quickened, heart pounding in your chest as her hand moved lower, fingers slipping beneath the waistband of your shorts with a gentle, deliberate touch that promised more. Her eyes locked onto yours.
“You sure you want this? I’m not here to push you”
You didn’t answer with words. Instead, your hands slid down her lower back, fingers splaying there as you slowly pulled her more against you.
That was all she needed. Her hands slid lower slowly undoing the small button of your shorts but making sure to not slide them down all the way. Instead, her fingers came over the damp fabric of your panties that were barely revealed. Just enough for her fingers to trace teasing strokes that sent shivers racing through you.
You gasped lightly, your lips parting in the slightest as your hips pressed more against her.
Alysa caught the sound, pulling back slightly just to see your reaction.
“You like that?” Alysa’s head tilted slightly, a slow, knowing smile curling at the corner of her lips as she studied your expression like a fascinating secret.
You couldn’t tell if you were more irritated or completely undone by her. Either way, you were fucking screwed. She hadn’t even fully touched you yet and already, you were drenched with need.
Her fingers lingered a moment longer on the damp fabric, tracing featherlight strokes over the most sensitive skin beneath. Then, with deliberate, almost reverent care, she slid her fingers lower—fully beneath your underwear. The sudden cool touch of her rings against against your heated skin made you shiver,
“Fuck,” She breathed, voice low and breathy, as if she could hardly believe what she was feeling. “You’re wet.”
A laugh, half disbelief and something else, escaped your lips. “No shit, Alysa”
Her grin deepened, eyes sparkling with mischief. “Actually calling me by my first name? Damn, we’re moving fast.”
You let out a scoff of exasperation though you couldn’t stop the smile starting to tug at your mouth.
Above you, the rough wooden slats of the bunk creaked faintly, and the fejnt glow of moonlight filtered through the window, casting soft shadows across the cabin. Neither of you moved, just gazing upward at the ceiling as if searching for answers in the quiet.
Here you were, laying side by side with the girl you practically just met. You came to this camp with a goal. You wouldn't speak to anyone. You wouldn’t even try to make friends because what good was that anyway? But now you realized that maybe you don’t want that anymore or at least go through it alone. Having sex for the first time with a girl and making friends on the first night wasn’t on your bucket list at all.
After a long pause, your voice broke the silence—low and hesitant, but steady. “You should run away with me.”
Alysa turned her head slightly, eyes meeting yours in the dim light, surprise flickering there. A soft laugh escaped her lips, half disbelief, half something like hope. “You’re serious?”
You swallowed the lump in your throat, voice firm despite the vulnerability. “I know we just met and I know this sounds insane. But I want that. I want whatever it is between us away from all of this.” You spoke as you gestured to the worn out cabin around the two of you.
The silence stretched between you again, but this time it felt different, charged with possibility. Alysa’s hand found yours in the dark, squeezing gently.
”We’ll figure it out,” she whispered.
Outside, the night held a different kind of tension.
Malia and Miles sat by the campfire, the flickering flames casting long shadows over their faces. The woods around them whispered secrets in the wind, but something felt off—an uneasy silence that pressed heavier than the dark.
”Where are they?” Malia finally asked, glancing toward the cabin.
Miles shrugged, unease flickering in his eyes. “Been an hour. Should’ve came back by now.”
The fire crackled, then suddenly, a piercing scream shattered the night.
Both froze, eyes wide with horror.
”Fuck,” Miles breathed, standing up abruptly. “That’s not right.”
They sprinted toward the lake where they heard the sound, the scream echoing behind him.
When they finally reached it, the scene was chaos.
Rick—the same counselor who had greeted you when you arrived—lay crumpled on a small boat right by the dock, blood staining his shirt and pouring out his mouth. He was barely there but still had some consciousness in him.
”What the hell happened?” Malia demanded, her voice trembling.
Rick gasped, struggling to speak. “Something…something’s out there. We’re not safe.”
The cabin door slammed open with a force that rattled the walls. Malia and Miles stumbled inside, faces pale, breaths ragged and quick.
“Shit, shit, shit!” Malia gasped, eyes wide with panic. “You won’t believe what just happened”
Miles nodded, voice trembling but firm. “We need to get out of here. Now.”
You and alysa sat up instantly, exchanging confused glances. The sudden chaos jolted you from the current hazy state the two of you endured.
”Okay, okay.” Alysa said, voice steady but cautious. “One at a time. What the hell happened?’
Malia swallowed hard, trying to steady herself. “Rick…he’s hurt. Badly. We found him by the lake, bleeding everywhere. He said something’s out there, something dangerous”
Miles took a shaky breath. “We heard a scream—thought it was one of you at first. But then when we got there, it was Rick. I don’t even think he made it.”
You and alysa exchanged a look, the weight of their words sinking in. The campfire story, the uneasy feeling outside…you knew something was up but this just confirmed it.
“What do we do?” You asked, voice barely a whisper.
Malia’s eyes darted around the cabin, searching for answers none of you had yet. “We stay together,” she said firmly. “And we don’t go outside alone.”
The cabin’s dim light flickered as the group gathered closer, the weight of Malia’s words hanging heavy in the air. The reality of the night was sinking in, and none of you wanted to admit just how scared you were.
Miles let out a breathy laugh, trying to break the tension. “Well, that’s just great. So basically, we’re stuck in this old ass cabin with no snacks and Wi-Fi. Rad.” His attempt at humor was met with a few weak smiles, but the underlying fear was clear in his eyes.
Alysa leaned against the wall, arms crossed, her usual collected confidence softened by the uncertainty. “Okay, so what’s the plan then? We can’t just sit here all night pretending the woods or whatever the hell is out there aren’t trying to kill us.”
You shifted on the bunk, the rough wood pressing against your back. “Maybe we set up some kind of watch? Take turns staying awake and keeping an eye out.”
Malia nodded, rubbing her temples. “Yeah, that’s smart. But we need to stick together when we move around. No solo trips, no matter what.”
The group fell into a tentative rhythm, voices lowering as you all tried to make sense of what was happening. The night seemed to press closer, the shadows thickening around the cabin’s edges.
Miles, trying to lighten the mood, pulled a crumpled pack of gum from his pocket. “Anyone want some? Might as well have something to chew on while we wait for whatever’s out there to come get us.” His grin was shaky but genuine.
You caught Alysa’s gaze and shared a small, tired smile. Despite the fears, there was comfort in this fragile camaraderie.
About an hour passed of whispered conversations and nervous laughter. Stories were swapped, some funny, some dark—each revealing who all of you really were beneath the surface.
Malia talked about her dreams beyond camp, her voice softening as she spoke of leaving this small town behind. “I’m not made for this place,” she admitted. “I want out. Somewhere new. Somewhere I can be someone else.”
Miles, quieter now, confessed his own fears masked by jokes. “I’m scared, okay? I’m not as tough as I act. But I know damn well I’m not gonna let that thing win.”
Alysa shared her reasons for being at this camp as well. How she felt outside. Her voice was steady but vulnerable, and you felt a deeper connection growing between the two of you.
When it was your turn, you spoke of your own reasons, specifically your parent’s divorce, the pain and hope tangled together. The group listened intently as the walls between you all started crumbling in the soft lighting.
But the fragile shattered suddenly.
Another scream just like Rick’s—sharp, piercing and filled with pure terror, cut through you guys like a knife.
Everyone froze, hearts pounding in unison.
Miles was the first to move, grabbing a flashlight and yanking open the cabin door. “I’m going out,” he said, voice tight but determined.
”No.” Malia snapped, grabbing his arm. “We said no one goes out alone!”
”And that’s how every main character dies first in horror movies.” You chimed in, shaking your head instantly.
He shook Malia off, eyes pleading. “I’m not scared” The cabin door creaked open, and he stepped out, the beam from his flashlight cutting a thin slice through the thick darkness. His jaw was set, eyes sharp with determination but you could see the faint tremor in his hands betraying his act.
”Wait up!” Malia called, already moving toward the door, her voice laced with worry.
You and Alysa exchanged a glance, then without a word, followed. The night air hit you like a cold slap—crisp, heavy with pine and something else, something wrong.
Outside, the woods swallowed Mile’s figure as he moved deeper into the shadows, the flashlights bobbing with each step. You all stuck close, the crunch of leaves loud in the eerie silence.
”Man, this is some bogus shit”, Alysa muttered behind you, eyes scanning the darkness like it might leap out at any second.
Miles kept walking, head low, the beam flickering as if struggling against the night itself. You felt your heart hammering, chest tight, every nerve screaming to run but your feet rooted in place.
Malia’s voice was barely above a whisper, “Stay close. Don’t let him out of sight.”
You nodded, swallowing hard. The group was tight, a fragile unit bound by fear and desperate hope.
Suddenly, the flashlight beam caught a flash of movement—just beyond the trees, something low and fast.
Miles stopped, shining the light toward the sound. Then, out of nowhere. A monstrous figure lunged-a grotesque silhouette, wild and twisted, with gnarled claws glinting in the moonlight.
Miles barely had time to scream before the creature swiped. The claw slashes across his throat in a brutal, ragged cut, blood spurting in a dark ark. He staggered back, clutching his neck, eyes wide with shock and pain.
His flashlight slipped from his grasp, spinning wildly and casting frantic, chaotic beams into the trees. He collapsed to his knees, gasping, blood bubbling from his mouth as life drained slowly.
You and Alysa sprinted forward, Malia close behind, hearts pounding in your ears. Miles lay on the damp forest floor, his pale face streaked with blood, eyes glassy and distant.
You reached out, trembling, but it was too late. Malia fell to her knees beside him, shoving, her voice breaking as she whispered. “Miles…Miles, we got you, hang in there, please. No…no, please…”
Alysa’s hand slowly found yours, squeezing tight as you glanced at her, her expression drained and her eyes heavy. “We all stick together now. No more solo trips. No more chances.”
You had to pull Malia up with you guys as the three of you rushed towards the cabin, hearts racing, breaths ragged and desperate. But then as you rattled the handle—shit—the door was fucking locked. Perfect timing. You yanked the handle, pushed, screamed, but it wouldn’t budge..
Malia collapsed against the door, shaking, tears streaming down her face. “No, no, no—this can’t be happening” she sobbed, her voice cracking like a busted record.
You grabbed her by the shoulders, shaking her gently. “Hey, hey, snap out of it, alright? I refuse to fucking die in this pathetic camp.”
She looked up at you, wild eyed and broken. “Miles, he's dead. How the hell are the rest of us going to survive this?”
Your heart twisted, but you forced a steady breath. “I know how it looks but I won’t let either of you die, okay?”
You three looked around. The woods around the camp were alive with shadows—twisted trees clawing at the sky, branches scraping like fingernails on a chalkboard. The moon was silver, barely lighting the path, and the air was thick with something sinister.
Malia wiped her tears, her jaw clenched tight. “I’m not going out like a pussy. That thing’s gonna regret messing with us”
You nodded, feeling the fire ignite inside her. Her rage was fierce, raw—a weapon sharper than any blade as you looked over at Alysa, taking account the tiny grin on her face despite the horrible circumstances. “That’s what I’m fucking talking about.” She said and you almost laughed, just almost.
Suddenly, a rustle to your left. Something moved fast—too fast. A dark shape lunged from the shadows, snarling and rapid.
”Get back!” You shouted as Malia stepped forward, ready to fight. The creatures snarled again, claws flashing in the moonlight. Malia swung, landing a solid punch, but it barely fazed the thing. It retaliated with a swipe that grazed her arm, ripping fabric and skin.
She yelped but didn’t back down, eyes blazing. “Come on you freak!” You watched, heart pounding and tempted to make a run for it but Alysa stayed put so you did too. Malia didn’t stop throwing punches fueled by grief and fury but the thing was relentless, stalking her like a predator closing in.
Then, in a flash, it caught her ankle, dragging her down into the underbrush. She screamed, thrashing wildly, trying to break free.
You wasted no time to sprint forward, adrenaline surging, Alysa following right behind you. “Malia!” You yelled, grabbing a thick branch from the ground.
”Come and get this you motherfucker!”, you snarled, swinging the branch with all your might. The creatures hissed, recoiling from the blow, but it asn’t enough. Malia’s screams cut through the night as the thing managed to get her beneath its body, its claws sinking deep as blood gushed from her insides, letting the grass reflect the moonlight.
You dropped the branch, frozen in horror as her voice faded into a gurgled silence. Everything was in slow motion now, Alysa’s muffled voice fading in and out of your consciousness until you finally felt her firm tug.
You nodded, swallowing back the lump in your throat. Your legs felt like lead, but the forest offered no mercy. You grabbed Alysa’s hand, and together you started to stumble in the shadows, away from the carnage.
Branches whipped against your faces, tearing at skin and clothes. The underbrush snagged your feet, threatening to trip you as you pushed deeper into the woods. Your breath came in ragged gasps, lungs burning with every desperate inhale.
Alysa stumbled suddenly, a sharp groan escaping her lips. You spun around just in time to see a jagged root slice across her calf, crimson blossoming instantly. She gritted her teeth, trying not to cry out, but the pain was raw and fierce.
”Keep going,” you urged, gripping her arm tighter. “We’re almost out.”
But the forest was relentless. A low growl sounded behind you—closer now. You both broke into a run, hearts pounding like war drums, footsteps pounding the earth in a frantic rhythm.
Suddenly, a slender shape lunged from the shadow,slamming into alysa with brutal force. You shouted, reaching for a fallen branch, but the creature was fast, dragging her down with snarling claws that tore at her side.
Alysa’s gaze met yours, wide, terrified, but fierce. She tried to push the creature forward but the beast’s weight pinned her beneath it. Blood blossomed from a deep gash soaking her shirt and the forest floor.
You swung the branch as hard as you possibly could in this moment as it strikes the creature’s head. It groaned harshly, retreating just enough for you to grab Alysa’s bleeding arm and pull her free.
She collapsed against a tree, trembling and weak, blood pooling beneath her like a dark, living shadow. The forest closed in around you two like a tomb as you sank to your knees beside Alysa feeling the tears blurring your vision and blood pooling beneath her like a dark shadow.
”Please hold on,” you choked out, pressing your trembling hands against her wound as if sheer will could stop the bleeding or stop the nightmare unfolding around you.
A faint, fragile smile curved her lips, tears shimmering in her eyes. “You have to run. You’re strong…I know you can make it out of here alive.”
Your heart shattered a thousand pierces, and you shook your head violently. “No. We’re getting out together. Both of us.”
Her gaze softened, and when your shaking hand lifted to cup her cheek, she managed a weak laugh as you started sobbing uncontrollably. “We’re going to escape this place…together. Remember? We’ll run away and be free. We’ll talk through everything—the trauma, the pain and we’ll be together…”
Her sobs broke through, shaking her whole body as she shook her head. Was she…letting go?
“No, no, no—please. You’re all I have left. Please don’t leave me, Alysa,” you begged, clutching her hand as tears invaded your vision completely. Slowly, her trembling fingers reached up to your jaw, pulling your face close like she had before in the cabin. Your lips met hers, trembling and desperate—a kiss so fragile it felt like it might shatter at any moment, because it did.
Then, a low agonized grown echo edged behind you both and your heart plummeted.
When you pulled away, her eyes were heavy but resolute. “Go.”
You hesitated, tears streaming freely down your face, but with one final squeeze of her hand, you forced yourself yourself up and ran—pushing every aching muscle to the limit because survival was the only choice left. You couldn’t look back.
And for the girl you would never, ever forget.
