11. The First Secret

**"So, who's gonna crack first?"** Marcus asked, leaning back against the creaky wooden chair, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. The group was gathered around the cabin's living room, the dim light from the fireplace casting flickering shadows on the walls.

**"Not me,"** Sam replied, crossing his arms. **"I can keep a secret better than anyone here."**

**"Yeah, right,"** Rachel scoffed, tossing a pillow at him. **"You couldn't keep a secret if your life depended on it. Remember freshman year?"**

Sam caught the pillow, smirking. **"That was different. And anyway, I'm talking about real secrets, not stupid crushes."**

**"Okay, fine,"** Rachel shot back. **"What about you, Leo? Got anything to share?"**

Leo, who had been unusually quiet the entire night, looked up from his phone, his face illuminated by the screen's soft glow. **"I'm good,"** he said flatly, his tone making it clear he wasn't in the mood for their usual banter.

**"You're so boring, dude,"** Marcus teased, but there was an edge to his voice. **"We're all here trying to have a good time, and you're acting like someone's gonna jump out of the woods and eat us."**

Leo's eyes flicked toward the darkened windows, a shiver running down his spine. **"Maybe we should just get some sleep,"** he muttered, stuffing his phone into his pocket. **"It's been a long day."**

**"C'mon, man,"** Marcus urged, sitting up. **"You've been weird ever since we got here. What's up with you?"**

**"Nothing,"** Leo snapped, standing up abruptly. **"I just think it's time we stop messing around and get serious. We're not kids anymore."**

The room went silent, everyone exchanging uneasy glances. This wasn't like Leo at all. He was always the chill one, the guy who could lighten any situation with a joke or a smile. But now, there was something off about him, something dark lurking beneath the surface.

**"Leo,"** Harper finally spoke, her voice gentle but firm. **"If something's bothering you, just tell us. We're your friends. We're here for you."**

Leo hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor. For a moment, it looked like he was going to say something, but then he just shook his head. **"Forget it,"** he said quietly. **"I'm just tired. Let's just go to bed."**

Without another word, he turned and headed for the stairs, leaving the others behind in awkward silence.

**"What the hell was that about?"** Marcus whispered once Leo was out of earshot.

**"I don't know,"** Rachel replied, her brow furrowed in concern. **"But whatever it is, it's freaking me out."**

**"Maybe he's just stressed,"** Sam offered, though he didn't sound convinced. **"We've all got stuff going on. I mean, it's been a while since we were all together like this. Maybe it's just… you know, old memories and all that."**

Harper didn't say anything. She was still staring at the stairs, her mind racing with worry. There was definitely something Leo wasn't telling them, and whatever it was, it wasn't good.

---

The cabin was eerily quiet that night, the usual sounds of laughter and conversation replaced by an unsettling silence. Harper lay in bed, unable to sleep, her thoughts consumed by Leo's strange behavior. She knew something was wrong—something deeper than just the normal stresses of life. She could feel it in her bones.

She got up and padded softly across the wooden floor, careful not to wake the others. The cabin's floorboards creaked under her weight as she made her way to the living room, where the dying embers of the fire cast a faint orange glow across the room.

As she stood there, staring into the fire, she heard a noise behind her. Whipping around, she saw Leo standing in the doorway, his face pale and drawn.

**"Leo,"** she whispered, her heart pounding in her chest. **"What's going on? You're scaring me."**

Leo didn't answer at first. He just stood there, his eyes fixed on something she couldn't see. Finally, he spoke, his voice barely audible.

**"There's something I need to tell you,"** he said, his voice trembling. **"Something I should've told you all a long time ago."**

Harper felt a chill run down her spine as she watched him, her mind racing with possibilities. What could be so terrible that Leo, of all people, would be so terrified to share it?

**"What is it?"** she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Leo took a deep breath, his eyes locking onto hers. **"You have to promise me,"** he said, his voice shaking. **"Promise me you won't tell the others. Not yet."**

Harper nodded, her throat tight with fear. **"I promise."**

Leo hesitated for a moment longer, then finally, he spoke.

**"Someone here isn't who they say they are,"** he whispered, his eyes filled with a fear Harper had never seen before. **"And I think… I think they might have something to do with what happened to Emily."**

Harper's heart skipped a beat, her blood running cold. **"What do you mean?"** she demanded, her voice rising in panic. **"Who? Who's lying?"**

But before Leo could answer, the sound of footsteps on the stairs made them both freeze. Harper spun around, her heart racing as the footsteps grew louder, closer.

And then, out of the darkness, a figure emerged, standing at the top of the stairs, watching them with eyes that seemed to glow in the dim light.

**"What are you two doing up?"** Rachel asked, her voice calm but with an edge that sent shivers down Harper's spine.

Harper's mind raced, trying to think of something to say, but nothing came out. She could feel Leo's tension beside her, the secret he had just begun to unravel hanging between them like a dark cloud.

**"Just… couldn't sleep,"** Harper finally managed, her voice barely steady.

Rachel's gaze lingered on them for a moment longer, her eyes narrowing as if she was trying to read their minds. Then she turned and headed back down the hall, disappearing into the darkness.

As soon as she was gone, Leo grabbed Harper's arm, his grip tight and desperate.

**"We need to be careful,"** he whispered urgently. **"I don't know who we can trust anymore."**

Harper nodded, her mind spinning with questions, fears, and the gnawing realization that the peaceful reunion they had all hoped for was rapidly unraveling into something far more sinister.