13. Tensions Rise

The hike back to the cabin was tense, with an unsettling silence hanging over the group. Harper kept glancing at Leo, who seemed deep in thought, his expression unreadable. The others chatted sporadically, their voices sounding forced, like they were all trying too hard to maintain a sense of normalcy.

**"We should do something fun tonight,"** Rachel suggested, her voice overly cheerful as they reached the clearing where the cabin stood. **"Maybe a bonfire? We could roast marshmallows and tell stories like we used to."**

**"Yeah, sure,"** Sam agreed, though his tone lacked enthusiasm. **"Anything to take our minds off stuff."**

Harper knew what he meant by "stuff." The eerie atmosphere had begun to weigh on everyone, and no one wanted to acknowledge the underlying tension that had been growing since their arrival.

**"Sounds good,"** Marcus chimed in, clapping his hands together. **"I'll gather some firewood. Anyone want to help?"**

**"I'll come with you,"** Leo offered quickly, surprising Harper. He caught her eye, and she could tell he wanted to talk more in private. She nodded slightly, letting him know she understood.

**"I'll get the marshmallows and stuff ready,"** Harper said, trying to sound upbeat. **"Let's make this night a good one."**

The group dispersed, each person taking on a task to prepare for the evening. But the air of unease lingered, making the simple act of getting ready for a bonfire feel like preparing for something much more significant.

---

Out in the woods, Leo and Marcus worked together, gathering dry branches and stacking them in a pile. The forest was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. The sun was setting, casting a golden light through the trees, but neither of them seemed to notice the beauty of their surroundings.

**"So,"** Marcus began, breaking the silence as he hefted a large branch onto his shoulder. **"What's really going on with you, Leo? You've been acting weird since we got here."**

Leo hesitated, glancing around to make sure they were alone. **"It's nothing, man,"** he said, trying to sound casual. **"Just got a lot on my mind, you know?"**

Marcus eyed him skeptically. **"Come on, we've known each other too long for that bullshit. If something's bothering you, just say it."**

Leo sighed, realizing there was no easy way out of this. **"Alright, but you have to promise me you won't freak out, okay?"**

Marcus raised an eyebrow but nodded. **"Okay, I promise. Now spill."**

Leo looked around again, his nerves getting the better of him. Finally, he leaned in closer, lowering his voice. **"I think something's wrong with this whole trip. I mean, really wrong. And it has to do with Emily."**

Marcus's expression shifted from curiosity to concern. **"What do you mean? Emily's dead, Leo. What does she have to do with anything?"**

**"I can't explain it all right now,"** Leo replied, frustration creeping into his voice. **"But I found something—something she left behind. It's a letter, Marcus. She was scared of someone, and I think it might be one of us."**

Marcus blinked in shock, the branch slipping from his grasp and landing with a thud on the ground. **"Wait, what? Are you serious?"**

Leo nodded, his eyes hardening. **"I know it sounds crazy, but I've been digging into it ever since we got here. I didn't want to believe it, but now… I'm not so sure. I think someone here knows more about what happened to her than they're letting on."**

Marcus ran a hand through his hair, clearly rattled. **"Man, this is… this is messed up. But you really think it's someone we know? I mean, we've all been friends for years. Why would any of us—?"**

**"I don't know,"** Leo interrupted, his voice tight with anxiety. **"But we need to be careful. I don't know who we can trust anymore."**

Marcus fell silent, the weight of Leo's words sinking in. After a moment, he picked up the branch again, his movements slower and more deliberate. **"Alright,"** he said quietly. **"I'll keep my eyes open. But you better be sure about this, Leo. If you're wrong…"

**"I know,"** Leo cut him off, his expression grim. **"But if I'm right, then we're all in danger."**

---

Back at the cabin, the bonfire was in full swing. The flames crackled and danced, casting a warm light over the group as they sat around the firepit. The smell of roasted marshmallows filled the air, and for a moment, it almost felt like old times.

**"Remember that one time we stayed up all night telling ghost stories?"** Rachel said, smiling as she speared a marshmallow onto a stick. **"Marcus scared the crap out of us with that story about the haunted house."**

**"Yeah,"** Marcus chuckled, though the laughter didn't quite reach his eyes. **"Good times."

The others laughed and shared their own memories, but Harper noticed the tension between Leo and Marcus. She caught Leo's eye, and he gave her a small nod, confirming that they had talked.

As the night went on, the conversation grew more subdued, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Harper couldn't shake the feeling that they were all pretending, trying to hold onto the last vestiges of their friendship while everything around them crumbled.

Finally, when the fire had burned down to embers, Leo stood up, brushing ash from his jeans. **"I'm going to turn in,"** he announced, his voice flat. **"Long day."**

The others mumbled their goodnights, and one by one, they all retreated to the cabin. Harper lingered by the dying fire, staring into the glowing coals, her mind racing with everything that had happened.

As she turned to head inside, she caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of her eye. She froze, her heart skipping a beat as she scanned the darkness.

There, just beyond the edge of the firelight, was a figure standing still, watching her.

**"Who's there?"** she called out, her voice trembling slightly.

But the figure didn't respond. Instead, it slowly backed away, melting into the shadows of the trees.

Harper's blood ran cold. She hurried inside, slamming the door behind her, her heart pounding in her chest. She leaned against the door, trying to calm herself, but the fear lingered.

Whoever—or whatever—had been watching her wasn't just some random stranger. It felt deliberate, purposeful. And with everything Leo had told her, she couldn't help but wonder if it was connected to the secrets they were beginning to unravel.

But what terrified her the most was the possibility that it wasn't just someone lurking in the woods.

It might be someone right here in the cabin.