They crossed into the forest. His heart was pounding out of his chest, Chelsea reached down and grabbed his hand.
He looked at her desperately for reassurance - but she offered none.
The forest was silent, no birds chirping or swaying of trees. The wind was absent, and the air was stale. The silence was piercing. Their steps crunched and cracked through the path. This wasn’t a forest, it was something else. Whatever it was, it knew we were here, and it watched us with enjoyment.
They continued to walk through the path deeper into this “thing.” The further they walked, the denser the forest became. The trees stood tall and covered the sky, leaving no trace of the sun. It became so dark, with your eyes closed, it looked the same. They pulled flashlights from the backpacks they had packed before they left the campsite and they pointed them towards the path. Her light was quivering, she was just as afraid as he. Sam desperately wanted to turn back, head to his car, and drive away from all of this but he couldn’t, they had seen too much for that. Things that driving away from couldn’t fix.
They came to where her brother stood before a few nights earlier. The scene still felt fresh in his mind. The boy lay crouched over something. Shoveling whatever it was into his mouth and breathing heavily. Before that night he’d never been in any situation like it. The air was stale as usual, but with something different. They stopped in unison, frozen, paralyzed with fear. He began to smell something rotten and what smelled like blood. It filled the air, boldly, and left Sam holding back vomit. It filled his mouth, and he could taste the stench. He lifted his light to the boy, and her brother stopped dead in his place. Her brother quickly stood. He stood tall, taller than before. Chelsea whimpered his name. He did not move nor say a thing. Just stood there breathing deeply. After what felt like minutes just he just as quickly as he stood, he disappeared deeper into the forest where the light could no longer reach him. Chelsea has been silent and cold since.
In a low whisper, she asked
Sam paused, trying to decide if he should respond.
I don’t know Chelsea. I don’t even know what the fuck we’re looking for.
She snapped. You saw him, Sam, don’t fucking pretend you didn’t. It’s been days.
Then you didn’t, and you’ll be exactly who I thought you were.
He turned around and looked at her.
And who do you think I am?
A piece of shit. A coward, Sam. That’s who. She paused and took a deep breath.
Listen, if you want to act like a dickhead, then please by all means turn around. But I hope that’s not the person you are. I asked you for help, so are you going to help me or are you gonna get it my way? You act as if that wasn't my brother. She pushed past him, leaving him staring into the coldness of where she stood before as she continued on alone.
He let out a deep breath. “Okay,” He said quietly. Together they continued on further into the forest than they’ve been before.