Chapter 4 >A Moment of Weakness 💋
912 Words
Morning sunlight filtered through the towering pines of Black Hollow, casting golden beams across the campsite.
For the first time since arriving, the forest felt almost peaceful.
Almost.
Susan tied her dark hair into a ponytail and smiled at Ethan as he unpacked food from the cooler.
“So,” Ethan said, holding up a pack of sausages, “chef Susan, ready to save us from my terrible cooking?”
She laughed.
“I’ll supervise. You do the hard work.”
Together they began preparing lunch over a portable stove.
The smell of scrambled eggs and sizzling sausages soon drifted through the campsite.
Nearby, Noah and Harper gathered firewood while Olivia wandered over to chat with another group of campers.
Caleb stretched his arms.
“I’m heading to the river to wash up.”
“Don’t get eaten by a bear,” Ethan called.
Caleb laughed.
“I’ll be back.”
He grabbed a towel and disappeared down the narrow trail leading to the river.
⸻
The river was crystal clear, flowing gently over smooth rocks.
Hidden beneath the trees, Caleb stepped into the cool water, enjoying the silence.
He had barely begun washing when he heard footsteps behind him.
He turned.
“Mia?”
She smiled awkwardly,While taking off her clothes.
“I couldn’t sleep.”
“You okay?”
She nodded before looking away.
“I just… wanted to talk.”
Mia walked into the river naked.
He couldn’t resist this temptation since Susan hadn’t allowed him touch her once.
He couldn’t suppress this urge,this feeling.
She drew him close with her piercing eyes, he inclined his face towards hers and lay his mouth on her mouth.
For a long time he kissed her n choked her briefly with the tip of his tongue brushing against her ears while his fingers groped and grazed Mia’s breast, It triggered a mix of s****l arousal and excitement.
He grabs her butt and lifts her up against his chest while kissing her passionately.
For a few seconds, the rest of the world disappeared as he lost himself in the moment.
Then, like a bolt of lightning, another face filled his mind.
It’s Susan.
Her smile. The way she trusted him. The promise he’d made to never betray her.
His eyes snapped open.
He pulled away immediately, breathing hard as guilt settled in his chest.
“I’m… I’m sorry,” he said.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Mia sighed.
“You’ve always looked at Susan differently.”
Caleb frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“The way you protect her.”
“The way you smile at her.”
She forced a small laugh.
“I guess I was hoping one day you’d look at me like that.”
Caleb looked surprised.
“Mia…”
Before he could finish, she stepped closer.
“I’ve liked you for a long time.”
Emotion clouded his judgment.
Caleb immediately stepped away.
His face filled with regret.
“No…”
He ran a hand through his wet hair.
“I shouldn’t have done that.”
Mia lowered her eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
“So am I.”
He looked back toward the campsite.
“Susan deserves better than that.”
Neither of them noticed the dark figure watching from the trees.
Hidden behind thick bushes…
The Unknown Stalker quietly lowered a pair of binoculars.
A slow smile spread beneath the hood.
Cracks in friendships made people easier to break.
⸻
Back at the campsite, Susan tasted the eggs.
“They’re actually good.”
Ethan looked offended.
“‘Actually?’”
She laughed.
“I was trying to be nice.”
Their laughter was interrupted by shouting from another campsite.
A woman cried out.
“Mark! Where are you?”
Several campers looked toward the woods.
Earlier that morning, Mark—a middle-aged man known for yelling at and intimidating his wife—had stormed away after another heated argument.
“I just need a minute,” he had snapped before disappearing into the trees.
Now…
He hadn’t returned.
⸻
Deep in the forest…
Mark zipped his trousers after relieving himself near an old oak tree.
“Stupid trip…” he muttered.
A twig snapped.
He looked around.
“Hello?”
Nothing.
Another snap.
Then silence.
He shook his head and started walking back.
A voice drifted through the trees.
“Mark…”
He stopped.
His wife’s voice.
“Lisa?”
No answer.
“Very funny.”
He kept walking.
The voice came again.
Closer this time.
“Mark…”
His smile vanished.
The forest had become unnaturally quiet.
Even the birds had stopped singing.
A shadow moved between the trees.
“Who’s there?”
No answer.
Only slow footsteps.
Crunch…
Crunch…
Crunch…
Mark’s heartbeat quickened.
“I’ve got a knife!” he lied.
The footsteps continued.
A gloved hand emerged from behind a tree.
Then another.
Before Mark could react, something heavy struck him from behind.
He collapsed to the forest floor.
His terrified scream echoed through Black Hollow…
…then ended abruptly.
A flock of ravens burst into the sky.
The forest fell silent once more.
Far away at the campsite, Susan paused, her smile fading.
“Did anyone else hear that?”
Caleb had just returned.
His eyes met Susan’s.
Guilt tightened in his chest.
Before he could say a word, another camper came running toward them, pale and breathless.
“Someone’s missing.”
The peace of Black Hollow was over.
- Writer
