Chapter 5
371 Words
As the sun began to disappear below the horizon, I decided it was time to stop for the night.
Part of me knew finding a motel or accepting the Beta's offer to stay in the safe house would have been the smarter choice. But I couldn't bring myself to do it.
For one, I didn't want to appear weak.
And two, I didn't want to owe anyone anything.
Being alone was harder, but at least the choices I made were my own.
I dropped my pack beside a fallen tree and began gathering wood for a fire.
"I wonder how much longer you'll keep this up."
I froze.
The female voice was soft, almost amused.
My heart immediately started pounding.
"Who's there?" I demanded, spinning around.
The woods were empty.
No movement.
No scent.
Nothing.
"You'll find out soon enough," the voice replied, followed by a light laugh.
A chill ran down my spine.
"Okay, seriously, who are you?"
No answer.
I slowly turned in a circle, scanning the trees.
Was I losing my mind?
Maybe six months of isolation had finally caught up with me.
Then a foul smell hit me.
I gagged.
It smelled like rotten meat mixed with spoiled fish and old garbage baking in the summer heat.
"Ugh, what is that?" I muttered, covering my nose.
The smell only grew stronger.
"I must be near some kind of dump or landfill."
The woman laughed again.
"Wow. You really are clueless."
I clenched my fists.
Now she was getting on my nerves.
First she appeared out of nowhere, then she started talking in riddles, and now she was insulting me.
"Okay, enough!" I shouted.
My voice echoed through the trees.
"Whoever you are, come out right now before I really get mad!"
The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted them.
Brilliant, Megan.
Because yelling into a dark forest when you're completely alone has always been a fantastic survival strategy.
The smell hit me again.
Stronger this time.
Much stronger.
Every instinct in my body suddenly screamed that something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Slowly, I turned around.
A dark figure stood less than ten feet behind me.
I never even had time to scream.
Everything went black.
- Writer
