Chapter 3 > The First Night 🌑
733 Words
By the time the last tent was pitched, the sun had already begun to sink behind the towering pine trees.
A cool breeze swept through Black Hollow Woods, carrying the scent of damp earth and burning firewood.
“This place is actually beautiful,” Mia said as she stretched her arms.
“It would’ve been,” Susan replied, “if it didn’t feel like something was staring at us.”
Caleb smiled.
“You’ve been watching too many horror movies.”
Susan nudged his shoulder.
“And you’ll be the first one screaming when something jumps out.”
“I don’t scream.”
“We’ll see.”
Their laughter echoed through the campsite.
Nearby, children from another camping family chased each other around a picnic table while their parents prepared dinner. A young couple sat beside their tent roasting marshmallows, and three college students played cards beneath a lantern.
For a moment…
Everything felt normal.
⸻
As darkness settled over the forest, the group gathered around their campfire.
The flames danced in the cold night air while Noah grilled burgers over the fire.
Ethan rubbed his hands together.
“Who’s ready for ghost stories?”
“I vote no,” Susan answered immediately.
“Too late,” Harper said, pointing her flashlight beneath her chin. “Legend says Black Hollow got its name because the trees are so thick they block out the light. Long ago, people claimed anyone who wandered too far into the woods would hear someone calling their name.”
Mia smiled nervously.
“You’re making that up.”
“I wish I was.”
Caleb tossed another log onto the fire.
“My grandfather used to tell me stories like that.”
Susan looked at him.
“You never mentioned that.”
“He said the forest remembers everyone who enters it.”
Before anyone could respond…
A loud howl echoed through the trees.
The entire campsite fell silent.
Another howl answered.
Closer.
The children hurried back to their parents.
A ranger standing near the campground entrance called out, “Everyone stay close to your campsites. The wolves are active tonight.”
Susan wrapped her jacket tighter around herself.
“I don’t like this.”
Caleb gently squeezed her hand beneath the blanket draped over their laps.
“We’re okay.”
She glanced at him, surprised.
He smiled reassuringly.
For the first time that evening, she felt a little safer.
Across the fire, Mia noticed their hands.
Her smile faded for just a second before she looked away.
⸻
Later that night, the campfire burned low.
Most of the campers had gone to sleep.
The forest became eerily quiet.
Too quiet.
Susan lay awake inside her tent, unable to sleep.
The silver cross from the waitress rested beside her pillow.
She checked her phone.
No Signal.
A twig snapped outside.
She sat up.
Probably an animal…
Another snap.
Followed by slow footsteps.
Crunch…
Crunch…
Crunch…
They stopped beside her tent.
Susan held her breath.
The silhouette of someone’s boots appeared beneath the tent fabric.
Her heart pounded.
“Caleb?” she whispered.
No answer.
The shadow didn’t move.
It simply stood there.
Then…
Three slow knocks.
Knock…
Knock…
Knock…
Susan’s eyes widened.
She suddenly remembered the janitor’s warning.
“If you hear knocking on your tent… don’t answer.”
She remained perfectly still.
After what felt like forever…
The footsteps slowly walked away.
⸻
At dawn, Caleb stepped outside his tent and noticed Susan already awake.
“You didn’t sleep?”
She shook her head.
“Someone was outside my tent.”
His expression changed instantly.
“What?”
“They knocked.”
Caleb immediately searched around the campsite.
The others joined him.
Near Susan’s tent…
Fresh boot prints were pressed deep into the soft mud.
They didn’t belong to anyone in their group.
Harper quietly raised her camera.
Click.
Click.
Click.
Then Ethan called from the edge of the campsite.
“Guys…”
Everyone turned.
Carved into the trunk of a nearby tree was a strange symbol.
A large circle…
With a single line running through its center.
Beneath it, scratched into the bark with something sharp, were four chilling words.
I SEE YOU ALL.
No one laughed this time.
From deep within Black Hollow Woods…
Hidden behind the trees…
A pair of cold eyes watched every frightened face.
The Unknown Stalker had finally made his first move.
- Writer
